Ijtihad: The Need of the Hour for Muslim Ummah
Before embarking on the path to decode these terms in a wider sense, I offer you an overt liberty to have different point of view with me. Because I would pose some tangible facts before you, that might challenge your existing belief. Hence, read my take thoroughly. It might gain you profound insights. Let’s shed light on it.
During the era of Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) and Caliphs, Islam was revolutionary, progressive, rational and innovative. However, after Them, Islam’s image started to tarnish because of orthodox clergies. They have made Islam stricter, adopting the school of thought: “Orthodoxy” which is only adhered to what is commonly accepted such as, old religious norms, established doctrines, rules and standards of conduct, creating a hurdle in the path of enlightenment and seeking for truth.
On the other hand, there is another school of thought which is commonly known as “Ijtihad”—Innovation and reformism that guide for innovation, enlightenment, progression.
Why does Islam come to be a standstill?
It is, simply, because of orthodox religious people who are against adopting the “Ijtihad”. Even you can see non-Muslim countries are progressing in every respects rather than those of Muslims’, because Muslim countries are anti-science. They have taken religion for granted. If we talk about Europe, three decades ago, it was down the cave of darkness when orthodox religious clergies were wielding their religious influence. They didn’t know that they will not be able to make progress as soon as they are at odds with science, limiting to only the notion of conformism (تقلید). They started making huge progress, when they came to realise that without science, they are unable to embark on the journey of development, progress and enlightenment. Now Europe is the most developed region all over the world, for they came out of religious darkness.
Furthermore, why Islam is lagging behind? Because of these conformist religious people who are opposed to reconstructionism/reformism. Even the Holy Quran places a greater emphasis on the importance of use of wisdom, because we are gifted with “Wisdom” by Almighty, if we don’t use it, it means going against Him. Following is the SURAH AR-RA’D AYAT 3 (13:3) and translation of the verse:
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي مَدَّ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِيَ وَأَنۡهَٰرٗاۖ وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوۡجَيۡنِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِۖ يُغۡشِي ٱلَّيۡلَ ٱلنَّهَارَۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought!
اسی نے زمین پھیلا کر بچھا دی ہے اور اس میں پہاڑ اور نہریں پیدا کردی ہیں۔ اور اس میں ہر قسم کے پھلوں کے جوڑے دوہرے دوہرے پیدا کردیئے ہیں، وه رات کو دن سے چھپا دیتا ہے۔ یقیناً غور وفکر کرنے والوں کے لئے اس میں بہت سی نشانیاں ہیں.
You can read the translation of above verse where Allah Almighty categorically dictates us to ponder over, to use our part of rationality.
Lastly, Islam is still progressive, rational and enlightened, if the religious authorities act as reformists and adhere to “Ijtihad”. However, mostly, its followers who are extremely conservative in thoughts and belief, made it unprogressively, opposed to enlightenment. They are afraid of seeking for truth. They have become extremist, conformist and orthodox and showing reluctant to adapt in changing circumstances.
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