Issues of Ijtihad

within the limits of possibilities. Accepting for the time being the given status quo, one can use the opportunities that are still available to them. This method may be termed ‘positive status quo.’ Radicalism always produces violence. In contrast, ‘positive status quoism’ fulfills its purpose while preserving social peace. Radicalism always only further exacerbates a given problem. Conversely, ‘positive status quoism’ fulfills its purpose without creating any problems in society. The former leads to destruction, the latter to construction. The method of reform that the Prophet Muhammad used in ancient Arabia was that of ‘positive status quoism’. For instance, at that time, there were 360 idols inside the Kabah. This was a big problem. But in the early Quranic revelations no order was revealed to purify the Kabah of these idols. Instead, in this initial period the Quran’s exhortation to believers was to ‘purify your garments’ (74:4). This meant purification of one’s moral character, and that of others, too. No Justification for Violence Violence is against human nature. It murders humanity. It is the most heinous of all crimes. Yet, despite this, why do some people still engage in violence? The reason is very simple: Such people fabricate a justification for violence, and then they begin actually to believe that their violence is justified.