A Critical Analysis of the Ijtih┐d of Present Era

Abstract

Isl┐m is a perfect code of life awarded by Allah al-Mighty for the guidance of human beings. The Basic origin of its commandments is the Qur’┐n and Sunnah of the Prophet (╗AWS). The fundamental principles of guidance for human life are provided in the Qur’┐n and Sunnah. The changing trends and requirements of human life due to progress of science and technology, social, political and economical circumstances desire to have such tools which can enable the shar┘‘ah to meet the requirements of each era. Isl┐m has introduced the principle of ijtih┐d to fulfill this gap. Ijtih┐d is not to create something new in religion rather it is to tell the point of view of religion about the newly born problems. The status of Ijtih┐d in the body structure of shar┘‘ah is just like fresh blood, which keeps the Shar┘‘ah practicable in each era. Ijtih┐d can be performed individually as well as collectively, but in present era of specialization, it seems almost impossible to perform it individually, so collective method of ijtih┐d is going to be adopted. This paper is presenting a critical analysis of the ijtih┐d of present era.