Issues of Ijtihad

INSIGHT BORN OF FAITH The importance of wisdom is so great that we are urged not to hesitate in accepting any words of wisdom, even from other nations or communities. The Prophet once observed: “A piece of wisdom is a believer’s own lost possession, so wherever he finds it, he should adopt it as if he is the most deserving of it.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2687) In some traditions wisdom and deeper understanding have even more importance attached to them than worship. As recorded by AI-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, “one learned religious scholar carries more weight than one thousand worshippers.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2681) The Prophet’s entire life was filled with examples of wisdom. While discharging his responsibilities, he adopted the way of wisdom on all occasions and at all stages. Here are some examples from his life. On the Occasion of Confrontations When the Prophet was thirty-five years old, before the time of his prophethood, a situation arose in Makkah, which called for tactful handling. The walls of the Kabah, which had collapsed for some reason, were being rebuilt by the Quraysh tribe, and in the process a problem arose as to who should be given the privilege of laying the black stone in its place in the Kabah wall. Since it was a matter of great prestige, everyone wanted this honour for himself.