Issues of Ijtihad

THE ART OFCLEAR THINKING minus points into plus points. Thinking makes one capable of effectively planning one’s actions, which is key to success. The ability to think is a quality that all human beings possess by birth itself. But only that person possesses right thinking who makes himself properly prepared for it at the conscious level. For right thinking, it is necessary for a person to have the courage to think by rising above his personal likes and dislikes. He should see things realistically just as they are, not as he would like to see them. He should be free from biased thinking. No matter what the prevailing conditions might be, he should be ready to accept the results of proper thinking, be they in his favour or against him. This is the beginning of right and clear thinking. Knowledge without Realisation The Quran says: “Be mindful of God; He teaches you” (2:282). In this verse, ilm means understanding. The meaning of this is that God-consciousness (taqwa) in a person will engender in him a proper understanding of the religion (At-Tafseer al-Qurtubi, Vol. 3, p. 406). From this, we learn that it is possible for a person to possess knowledge or information about religion and yet not possess a proper understanding of religion. This is because the source of true understanding of religion is God-consciousness, not mere knowledge. There is a supplication in a hadith report as follows: “O God, I seek refuge with You from the knowledge that is of no benefit.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 5470)