From: cavus@cae.wisc.edu
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: IJTIHAD. PART 5.2.
Date: 26 Jul 92 17:51:56 GMT
To: soc-religion-islam@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU
Status: RO
Originator: hanan@mcs213k.cs.umr.edu

Esselamu Aleykum.

TREATISE  ON  IJTIHAD   PART  5.2

>From The Twenty Seventh Word 

     This treatise was once written in Arabic. Now, due to a request
of my two friends, it will be rewritten  in Turkish  to give a
lesson to the one who overstepped his bounds.

In the Name Of Allah the Compassionate the  Merciful

"If theyhad 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.

     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. 

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.

will continue in$aallah

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These translations are from the Risale-i Nur Collection of Bediuzzaman Siad
Nursi (RA) which consists of a total of 134 books in Turkish and few in Arabic.
Tranlators are a group of  students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and
Case Western Reserve  University-Cleveland.  All correspondence should be
directed to the e-mail address appering in this posting.  We are posting these
translations part by part but if anyone is interested we can send the whole
topic to personal e-mail addresses.  These topics have also appeared in the
weekly letter "Droplet  -  From The Vast Ocean Of The Miraculous Qur'an"
published and distributed in the Islamic Centers of Madison-WI and Cleveland-OH
after every Friday-Prayer.  Thank you.  The Talabat-un Noor.
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