Part One: SEERAH (Biographical Sketch) CHAPTER

C:\Users\Admin\Dropbox\The Message - Material of Maulana\16. Books and Review\Apa's Books\Life And 73 in modern times that urgently require Ijtihaad, if Islam and the Muslims have to march forward in the current millennium. Ijtihaad literally means ‘doing one’s utmost’. In the terminology of jurisprudence it refers to any effort made towards the application of Islamic teachings to suit new or changing situations. Ijtihaad does not mean simply personal opinion, but rather the seeking of guidance from the Quran and Hadith regarding changed situations. The task can be performed only by those who have a thorough knowledge of the Quran and Hadith. Coupled with this, they should also be sincere in seeking guidance from these basic sources of Islam. Whether Ijtihaad is practised through Ijma or Qiyas, certain things must be borne in mind as pre-requisites for its validity in relation to the Shariah. a) Ijtihaad must be based on fundamental principles laid down by the Quran and the Prophet and should not be inconsistent with them. b) The fundamental principles of the Shariah may be applied and reapplied to any new situation through Ijtihaad, provided this does not change anything clearly declared Haraam (unlawful) into Halal (lawful), or vice versa. c) Any law, rules, regulations concluded through Ijtihaad will be acceptable only when they are conducive to achieving the essential purposes of the Islamic shariah, which is broadly divided into five categories : (i) preservation of life (ii) preservation of money (iii) preservation of self-respect and dignity (iv) preservation of one’s religion (v) preservation of the intellect or sanity of mind (AlMuwafaqat, Shatibi). Let us look at further examples. The Prophet once sent a group of the Companions to the settlement of Banu Qurayza on the outskirts of Madinah. They set off after saying their noon prayer. While despatching them, the Prophet gave them this instruction: “You should not say your afternoon prayer before reaching your destination in Banu Qurayza.” (Bukhari).