Ijtihad

***Ijtihad*** (/ˌɪdʒtəˈhɑːd/ *IJ-tə-HAHD*; Arabic: اجتهاد *ijtihād* [ʔidʒ.tihaːd], lit. 'physical effort'&#x20; anaa 'mental effort') be an Islamic legal term wey dey refer to independent reasoning by an expert insyd Islamic law, anaa de thorough exertion of a jurist ein mental faculty in finding a solution to a legal question. E dey contrast plus *taqlid* (imitation, conformity to legal precedent). According to classical Sunni theory, *ijtihad* dey require expertise insyd de Arabic language, theology, revealed texts, den principles of jurisprudence (*usul al-fiqh*), wey e no be employed wer authentic den authoritative texts (Qur'an den hadith) be considered unambiguous plus regard to de question, anaa wer der be an existing scholarly consensus (*ijma*). *Ijtihad* be considered to be a religious duty for those wey qualify to perform am. Dem dey call an Islamic scholar wey be qualified to perform *ijtihad* a "*mujtahid*".

For de first five centuries of Islam, de practice of *ijtihad* continue in theory den practice among Sunni Muslims. E then first cam be subject to dispute insyd de 12th century. By de 14th century, development of classic Islamic jurisprudence anaa *[[fiqh]]* prompt leading Sunni jurists to state say dem address de main legal questions insyd Islam, den to call for de scope of *ijtihad* to be restricted. Insyd de modern era, dis give rise to a perception amongst Orientalist scholars den sections of de Muslim public say de so-called "gate of *ijtihad*" be closed at de start of de classical era. While recent scholarship establish say de practice of *Ijtihad* never cease insyd Islamic history, de extent den mechanisms of legal change insyd de post-formative period remain a subject of debate. Differences amongst de *Fuqaha* (jurists) prevent Sunni Muslims from reaching any consensus (*Ijma*) on de issues of continuity of *Ijtihad* den existence of *Mujtahids*. Thus, Ijtihad remain a key aspect of Islamic jurisprudence thru out de centuries. Na dem practice *Ijtihad* thru out de Early modern period den claims give *ijtihad* den ein superiority over *taqlid* be voiced unremittingly.

Dey start from de 18th century, Islamic reformers begin dey call for abandonment of *taqlid* den emphasis on *ijtihad*, wich dem see as a return to Islamic origins. Public debates insyd de Muslim world wey dey surround *ijtihad* continue to de present day. De advocacy of *ijtihad* be particularly associated plus de Salafiyya den modernist movements. Among contemporary Muslims insyd de West der emerge new visions of *ijtihad* wich dey emphasize substantive moral values over traditional juridical methodology.

Shia jurists no dey use de term *ijtihad* til de 12th century. Plus de exception of Zaydi jurisprudence, na de early Imami Shia be unanimous insyd censuring *Ijtihad* insyd de field of law (*Ahkam*). After de Shiite embrace of various doctrines of Mu'tazila den classical Sunnite *[[Fiqh]]* (jurisprudence), dis lead to a change. After de victory of de *Usulis* wey base law on principles (usul) over de *Akhbaris* ("traditionalists") wey dem emphasize on reports anaa traditions (*khabar*) by de 19th century, *Ijtihad* go cam be a mainstream Shia practice.

## References


## External links
* Two Theories of Ijtihad
* An Introduction to Islamic Law by Joseph Schacht
* A Detailed Q & A on Ijtihad
* Opening the doors of Ijtihad, essay by Fred Dallmayr on www.resetdoc.org