Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
8. The Concept of Ijtihaad in Islam
~ 114 ~
Evidently their minds are confused in this regard. The reason
again being that the scholars of modern times have not exercised
Ijtihaad on the subject of nationhood, and have thus failed to give
clear guidance to Muslims.
Events tell us that, through sheer force of circumstances
Muslims all over the world are following in the footsteps of other
nations. This state of affairs has led them to opt for a life of
contradiction. They adopt something they consider unIslamic
owing to practical compulsions. Their thinking and their actions are
not in accord with one another.
It was the responsibility of Muslim religious scholars to exercise
Ijtihaad and guide Muslims in solving these modern problems so
that they might wholeheartedly adopt such values as they have
already adopted by way of compulsion. This is the only way of
extricating Muslims from the state of confusion and its grave
consequences.
Since their minds are not clear in these matters they are able to
take part in the modern world only in a limited fashion owing to
worldly compulsions. This is why they are lagging behind all other
nations in the race of progress.
Other nations in modern times are wholeheartedly advancing
along the path of progress. But Muslims’ participation is minimal
because of their half-hearted approach. This is the sole reason for
Muslims’ backwardness in modern times.
