Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
12. The Relevance of the Quran and Sunnah in Modern Times
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from the practical point of view means that a religion gives such
commands to its adherents as are impracticable from the point of
view of the age factor. As mentioned above, no such command
exists in Islam. In its practical aspects, Islam is a religion of
adjustment, giving ample concession to circumstances. There is
enough flexibility in Islam in this regard. That is why Islam could
never become irrelevant, whatever the age, so far as practical
matters are concerned.
When we look at this issue from the ideological point of view,
we do find on certain occasions, that the demands of Islam and the
demands of the age are diametrically opposed to one another. But
as mentioned above, in matters of ideological differences the way
of peaceful persuasion alone will be adopted. At all events, no
practical initiative be taken, when the circumstances are
unfavourable. In such a state of affairs, ideological difference can
never create any problem in any age or in any situation.
One thing is worth remembering in this connection, and that
concerns Ijtihaad. One role of Ijtihaad is that whenever any
teaching of Islam appears to be going against the demands of the
time, the religious scholars are duty-bound to strive by exercising
Ijtihaad to seek a reapplication of the teachings of Islam to
changing situations. Ijtihaad is in fact another name for seeking
reapplication of Islamic teachings to the changing needs of the
time. (See chapter on Ijtihaad).
Muslim scholars of modern times, feeling the need to exercise
Ijtihaad have made an effort to reapply the principle of Islam in this
