Issues of Ijtihad

and-take. In this method, in case of a dispute, each party tries to ensure that no clash occurs and that the dispute is resolved through peaceful discussion and on the basis of bilateral agreement. In the case of war, the focus of each party is on what is present. They want to capture what appears to be present in front of them. Those who are obsessed with the war mentality consider the capturing of what is presently available as a victory and the loss of it as defeat. In contrast, a person committed to working for reconciliation focuses on the future, rather than the present. His insight tells him that there exists much more than what presently appears before him, which, although not presently visible, can be obtained through wise action. This foresightedness is the secret of great achievements. Ease in Difficulty In the Quran, a universal principle of Nature is expressed in these words: ‘So, surely with every hardship there is ease; surely, with every hardship there is ease’ (94:5-6). Here, we are provided with a teaching that can be called ‘high thinking’—that is, thinking by rising above problems. Its purpose is to nurture in a person a way of thinking that is not centred on problems but rather rises above problems to find solutions. A person who possesses this sort of high thinking will very quickly discover that where only