THE QURAN AND SUNNAH

above, in matters of ideological differences the way of peaceful persuasion alone must be adopted. At all events, no practical initiative is to be taken when the circumstances are unfavourable. In such a state of affairs, ideological differences will never create any problems in any age or in any situation. One thing worth remembering in this connection relates to Ijtihad (exercise of judgement with reasoning). One role of Ijtihad is that whenever any teaching of Islam appears to be going against the demands of the time, the religious scholars are duty-bound to strive by exercising Ijtihad to seek a reapplication of the teachings of Islam to the changed situation. Ijtihad is in fact another name for seeking reapplication of Islamic teachings to the changing needs of the time. Muslim scholars of modern times, feeling the need to exercise Ijtihad, have made an effort to reapply the principle of Islam in this matter. For instance, in the Indian subcontinent Maulana Husain Ahmad Madani and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad said that since in modern times nationality was linked with the homeland, Islam would also follow the same principle. That is to say, in whichever country Muslims lived, they would be regarded as co-patriots like other citizens. And they would not insist on a separate nationality for themselves. Great importance has been attached to the process of Ijtihad in Islam. According to one Hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari, if a Muslim exercises Ijtihad and he reaches the right decision he will be doubly rewarded and if, even after his sincere effort, he fails to reach the right judgement he will still be rewarded. This shows that the act of Ijtihad must continue in all circumstances, even when there is a possibility of arriving at the wrong judgement. The aim of Ijtihad is that in all ages the gap between Islam and the age may continue to be filled. In no circumstance should the impression be formed that Islam has become irrelevant. It was due to the importance of this matter that the Prophet of Islam encouraged Muslims to continue the process of Ijtihad, even at the risk of making mistakes. In no circumstance was the door of Ijtihad to be closed. The truth is that the actual goal of Islam is to bring about an intellectual revolution among people, in order to produce high thinking. Such a task is eternal in its nature. Along with eternal laws, goes the principle of flexibility in Islam. Along with azimat (absolute commands), Islam gives ample space for concessions and exemptions. Along with the observance of form, Islam gives equal importance to the spirit. o