Issues of Ijtihad

TAQLID AND IJTIHAD This difference results in those with imitative mindsets being deprived of what holds the utmost importance in religion: faith that arises from realization. The wellspring of such faith lies in self-discovery. Those with imitative mindsets fail to think independently, and as a result, they remain unacquainted with the true essence of Islam. In contrast, individuals with an independent mindset are fundamentally different. Their minds remain open to reflection and thought. They have the capability to recognize truth as soon as it becomes evident and to embrace it without hesitation. In today’s world, the greatest achievement for any individual is the discovery of truth. Realizing that one has found the truth is undoubtedly life’s greatest blessing. However, this blessing is reserved for those with an independent mindset. Those trapped in the darkness of an imitative mindset can never experience truth as understood through maarifat (realization). The Need for a Transformative Mindset Shah Waliullah (d. 1762), a distinguished Islamic scholar and theologian from India, addressed the concept of ijtihad (independent reasoning) and the qualifications of a mujtahid (one who exercises ijtihad) in his book, Aqd alJayyid fi Ahkam al-Ijtihad wa al-Taqlid (p. 4). He outlined that