From: irfan@bode.ece.wisc.edu (Irfan Alan)
Subject: DROPLET VOL 1, NO 6, PART 1
Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison; Electrical & Computer Engineering
Distribution: usa
Date: 15 Dec 92 20:42:26 CST

DROPLET VOL 1, No 6, Part 1

D R O P L E T
From The Vast Ocean Of The Miraculous Qur'an

Translations from the Arabic and Turkish Writings of Bediuzzaman
Said Nursi, 

The Risale-i Noor

VOL 1, No 6, Part 1
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TREATISE  ON  IJTIHAD The Twenty Seventh Word 

(continued from Droplet Vol 1, No 5, Part 2)

	In the Name Of Allah the Compassionate the  Merciful "If they
had only referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with
authority." (Al Qur'an 4:83)

	Know O Dear Friend! The door of ijtihad, which is one of the
religious matters, is open. But at this time, there are six
barriers to enter there.

	Fourth Barrier. If a thing has a tendency to flourish, since
that tendency is innate, a new growth would be a true progress
for that thing. In the case when the tendency of the growth is
forced from outside, then, the skin gets torn away leading to
destruction. 

If the purpose of a person who is approaching Islam through the
door of ijtihad and willing to enlarge the details of Islamic
matters is to obey the requirements of Islam and to be gifted
with more taqwaa and perfection in obedience, it would be very
nice. For example, the tendency towards ijtihad shown by the
people like Salef Salihin who entered Islam through the door of
perfect taqwaa and with complete obedience to its fundamentals
(daruriyat) is an actual inner growth.  Such a growth is
authentic, accurate, beneficial, and sincere. However, if a
person is abandoning the fundamentals and preferring the worldly
life over the hereafter, his tendency to make ijtihad is indeed
a way to destruction and bid'a. His ijtihad is an excuse to be
freed from his responsibility towards Allah, and therefore is
harmful.

Fifth Barrier. There are three points which show that the
present ijtihads are earthly, and away from the purpose of the
Sharia. The Sharia (Islamic Jurisprudence and Science)  is from
above (revelation from Allah SWT).  The ijtihads which are
revealing the hidden judgements of the Sharia must reflect the
purpose of the Sharia. 

First point: Every thing and judgement comes into existance as a
result of a primary cause ('illa, see note) along with its
benefits (maslaha). But maslaha is not the same as 'illa;
rather, its role is only for determining the preference. 
Contrary to this fact, the views at this time are aimed at
replacing the primary cause with wisdom and benefit, and then,
making judgements (huqm) on their basis.  Of course, such
ijtihad is earthly, and hence does not  reflect the principles
of Sharia.

Second point: The ideas themselves at this time are directed
towards the worldly happiness, and therefore, their judgements
are concentrated on the worldly matters. The view of the Sharia
itself is directed primarily towards the happiness in the
hereafter. The Sharia regards the earthly happiness as
secondary, that is: the earth is the place where hereafter can
be gained. Thus, the present views are away from the spirit of
the Sharia; therefore there can be no ijtihad in the name of
Sharia (with the current environment and circumstances).  (will
continue)

Translator's Note:   'illa is an important Islamic term. The
'illa is the true cause of a thing without which that thing
cannot exist or has no value. 'illa means 'the primary cause'. A
judgements 'illa and hikmet (wisdom or benefits) are two very
different concepts. 

Here are some examples:
1) In the creation of all things, the Will and Power of Allah is
the primary cause. 

2) The 'illa of the ibadah is the commandment of Allah. The
other benefits related to prayer do not constitute 'illa, they
are rather hikmat. Performing the prayer only for its worldly
benefits  ignoring the 'illa invalidates the prayer.  However,
seeking the rewards of the hereafter is acceptable reason for
ibadah as long as one remembers that Cennah and other rewards
are granted solely by the Mercy and Grace of Allah; they are not
earned. 

3) While travelling, the salat is shortened; the 'illa to use
this permission of Sharia is the travelling. Its hikmet is
difficulty. Even if there is no difficulty in the course of
travelling, the salat can still be shortened. However, even if
there are hundred-fold difficulties under stationary conditions,
shortening prayers is not permitted. 

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To be continued In$a Allah.
Your Br. Irfan in Islam.