Issues of Ijtihad

TAQLID AND IJTIHAD have incurred enormous losses. For instance, violent movements in the name of Islam have caused tremendous loss of life and property. However, had these leaders embraced independent reasoning, they would have found guidance in the aforementioned Hadith. Consequently, they would have abandoned violent methods and adopted peaceful approaches, achieving success in accordance with the laws of nature. This comparison underscores the difference between imitative thinking and independent reasoning. In essence, imitative thinking is akin to stopping at the first step, while independent reasoning involves climbing successive steps to reach the top. The first step, though initially important, serves as a foundation, for without it, subsequent steps cannot exist. Stages of Hadith Study The First Stage: The foundational achievement of the early scholars of Hadith (muhaddithin) was their monumental effort in collecting and compiling Hadiths. This work represents the initial stage of Hadith study. The Second Stage: The succeeding generation undertook the task of organizing these Hadiths into comprehensive indexes, facilitating easier access and the derivation of knowledge.