What is ijtihād? Can it still happen today?
Ijtihād is a qualified scholar's exercise of reasoning to derive a legal ruling where text is silent or ambiguous. The Prophet ﷺ praised the mujtahid who tries — even when he errs, he is rewarded once.
3 passages from 1 book in the library
Ijtihād is a qualified scholar's exercise of disciplined reasoning to derive a ruling where the texts are silent or ambiguous. Al-Ghazali describes the mujtahid as "an independent jurist, forming their own opinions," and distinguishes him sharply from the majority: "someone who is not at the level of ijtihad, which is the case for most people." He notes the honesty required of one who has not reached that rank — "Perhaps my mentor's school has an answer for this, as I do not have independent ijtihad" — showing ijtihād belongs only to those genuinely qualified for it.
- A mujtahid who forms his own independent legal opinions
- One below that level, who follows a qualified scholar's school
- The honest admission of one who lacks ijtihad: deferring to his mentor's school
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 1 book by Imam al-Ghazali — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
-
"Third, the debater should be a mujtahid, an independent jurist, forming their own opinions"
-
"Perhaps my mentor's school has an answer for this, as I do not have independent ijtihad"
-
"As for someone who is not at the level of ijtihad, which is the case for most people"
Want a different angle?
Type your question below — JM Scholar will ground its answer in the same sources.