Words: ijtihad
Part of speech: n
Definition: the endeavor of a Muslim scholar to derive a rule of divine law from the Koran and Hadith without relying on the views of other scholars; by the end of the 10th century theologians decided that debate on such matters would be closed and Muslim theology and law were frozen
Example: some reform-minded Islamic scholars believe that reopening ijtihad is a prerequisite for the survival of Islam