Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
8. The Concept of Ijtihaad in Islam
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Ijtihaad is a process, which is always at work in Islam. The
commandments of Islam are eternal in nature but the
circumstances keep changing. That is what necessitates the proper
understanding of the spirit of Islamic commandment and seek their
re-application in changed circumstances.
For instance the Muslim community has been commanded in
the Quran to prepare for power. (8:60) Power has been defined as
the ability to inspire awe in the enemy. In ancient times power
meant possessing an army and weapons. But today, after the great
progress made in science and industry, circumstances have been
totally revolutionised. Now power is not confined to military
weapons alone. Now education, social institutions, journalism,
industry, scientific research, economy, the electronic media, etc.
are all sources of power. Now on the question of the preparation
for power, a Mujtahid, (literally one who strives) for making original
decisions on canon law, rather than applying precedents already
established) can say that the commandment of the Quran is
undoubtedly eternal in nature, but that its reapplication will be
sought according to modern circumstances. And that plans for
making progress will now be made in peaceful arenas.
In modern times, Russia provides one example of the
accumulating of all sorts of weapons, including 30,000 nuclear
warheads. On the contrary, Japan did not make any military
preparation, rather made plans on a vast scale to go ahead in the
fields of education and economy. The result was totally different.
