Reviving Ijtihad

However, when this Hadith is narrowly interpreted within the confines of funeral practices, an important principle of Islamic teaching—its universal respect for humanity—risks being overshadowed. Consideration of Circumstances In Sahih al-Bukhari, it is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad told Aisha that when the Quraysh later rebuilt the Kaaba, they did not construct it on the foundation laid by Abraham. Instead, they altered it (Abraham had built the Kaaba lengthwise, but the Quraysh made it square, leaving a portion of the original Kaaba outside, now known as Hateem). Aisha asked, “O Messenger of God, why don’t you rebuild the Kaaba on the foundation of Abraham?” The Prophet replied, “Your people (the Quraysh) have recently abandoned disbelief and entered Islam. I fear this may provoke them. If it were not for this fear, I would have done so” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1583). Imam al-Bukhari included this Hadith in the Book of Hajj (Chapter on the Virtues of Makkah and its Construction). Suppose later generations restrict their understanding to the chapter title given by Imam al-Bukhari. In that case, they may only derive lessons regarding the virtues of Makkah from this Hadith and fail to uncover its broader relevance. However, this Hadith conveys a very significant lesson of Islam, which can be encapsulated as the “wisdom of life.” Rebuilding the Kaaba on the original foundation laid by Prophet Abraham would have been the correct course of action. However, leaving it on the foundation laid by the Quraysh during the pre-Islamic period of ignorance was