Ijtihad
The methodical effort of a jurist to derive religious rulings from the sources; in Shia jurisprudence its 'gate' has remained open and underpins the institution of the marja'.
Read in context →At a glance
- Meaning
- Reasoned effort to derive rulings
- Sources
- Quran, Sunna, consensus, reason
- Status in Shiism
- Gate of ijtihad always open
Detail
Ijtihad in Islamic jurisprudence is the systematic, reasoned effort of a learned jurist to derive a religious ruling from the sources of the faith, especially where no explicit text exists. In Shia jurisprudence ijtihad has a dynamic, continuous status and its 'gate' is considered always open; consequently each generation needs living mujtahids to answer new questions. One who attains the rank of ijtihad may derive rulings independently, while others 'emulate' (taqlid) him. The instruments of ijtihad include the Quran, the Sunna, consensus (ijma), and reason (aql). This principle differs importantly from some Sunni schools, in which a medieval 'closing of the gate of ijtihad' was asserted. The vitality of ijtihad has given Shia jurisprudence flexibility in confronting contemporary issues.
Related entities
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Iranica — 'Ejtehād'
- Britannica — 'Ijtihad'
- H. Modarressi, 'An Introduction to Shiʿi Law'