Issues of Ijtihad

INSIGHT BORN OF FAITH One of the sunnah of the Prophet of Islam was that, in delicate matters, he always observed strict secrecy. And this is what he did during the campaign of the conquest of Makkah. He left Madinah for Makkah along with ten thousand of his companions, without confiding in them where he was heading. The companions are on record as saying that it was only when they reached the point from where the path led directly to Makkah, that they realized what their ultimate destination would be. In matters of strategy, the observance of secrecy is of the utmost importance. Success, in most cases, depends on the fact that the rival party remains completely unaware of one’s plans in advance. The Prophet of Islam showed this wisdom all his life. Accepting the Status Quo Whenever a controversy arises between two people or two groups, a practical working arrangement ultimately becomes established. An attempt to change this status quo in most cases results in futility or in all-out strife. What normally happens is that the status quo continues. If not, mutual retaliation results in further losses. In this pointless engagement, precious opportunities are also wasted. In such a controversial matter, the Prophet’s sunnah is to accept the status quo. The great benefit of this statusquoism is that it gives one the respite to consolidate one’s energies. By removing oneself from the scene of