Two Types of Ijtihad: General and Special

For instance, if a mujtahid needs to determine whether the Shariah ruling allowing wiping over leather socks (mas-h ’ala al-khuffayn) applies to modern, factory-made socks, expertise in the five key disciplines is sufficient. Similarly, if the question arises about whether inserting a needle into the body breaks ablution (wudu), then knowledge of these five sciences would also be sufficient to derive a ruling on this matter. The Need for an Additional Qualification A mujtahid proficient in these five areas can consult classical jurisprudential texts and identify relevant precedents. For instance, they might examine rulings addressing whether the sting of a scorpion entering a person’s body nullifies wudu. However, for special ijtihad, an additional qualification is required beyond the foundational five disciplines. This requirement is highlighted in the Hadith: “A wise person must be aware of his time” (Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith No. 807)—that is, its spirit, needs, and demands. This emphasizes that a wise individual must possess a thorough understanding of the conditions and complexities of their era. The additional qualification mentioned in the Hadith can be summarized as an awareness of the conditions of one’s time. A mujtahid must be thoroughly familiar with the context of the era and location in which they are exercising