Ijtihad
Scholarly legal derivation
Ijtihad is independent reasoning in Islamic law—the process by which a qualified scholar interprets religious texts to derive legal rulings on matters not explicitly addressed by the Quran or established precedent.
The term implies intellectual effort and struggle.
A scholar who practices ijtihad is a mujtahid.
The concept stands opposite taqlid, which is following established rulings without independent analysis.
The question of whether the gates of ijtihad remain open is itself debated among Islamic scholars.
Islamic legal pronouncement
- shariaMuslim canonical jurisprudence
- ijmaUnanimous juristic agreement
- rulingFormal legal determination
- juristLegal expert or scholar
halal · haram · mufti · legal reasoning · derivation · precedent · scholarly · codification
New understanding of something
- modernizationAdoption of current methods
- renewalMaking current again
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- reformistAdvocate for gradual change
adaptation · contemporary · revisionism · evolution · flexibility · dynamism · relevance · contextualization
Critical textual interpretation
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- deductionConclusion from premises
inference · understanding · textual · contextual · meaning · deliberation · reflection · discernment
Earnest sustained endeavor
- effortApplied energy toward goals
- diligenceCareful, persistent effort
- rigorStrict, thorough precision
- inquiryRequest for information
investigation · critical thinking · scholarship · study · research · contemplation · examination · independent thought
fatwa
Islamic legal pronouncement
- shariaMuslim canonical jurisprudence
- ijmaUnanimous juristic agreement
- rulingFormal legal determination
jurist · halal · haram · mufti · legal reasoning · derivation · precedent · scholarly · codification · Islamic law
reinterpretation
New understanding of something
- modernizationAdoption of current methods
- renewalMaking current again
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
reformist · adaptation · contemporary · revisionism · evolution · flexibility · dynamism · relevance · contextualization · updating
exegesis
Critical textual interpretation
- hermeneuticsStudy of interpretation methods
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- analysisMethodical study of parts
deduction · inference · understanding · textual · contextual · meaning · deliberation · reflection · discernment · judgment
striving
Earnest sustained endeavor
inquiry · investigation · critical thinking · scholarship · study · research · contemplation · examination · independent thought · pursuit