Use of Ijtehad
THIS is apropos Asghar Ali Engineer’s article, “Is Sharia immutable?” (Feb 1). He hasn’t said anything new in the article.
Many people have urged ijtehad. Iqbal was its champion.
Some scholars like Ghulam Ahmad Pervez even did attempt some ijtehad under which he approved “interest” on lending.
The reason why ulema are reluctant to use ijtehad is, perhaps, due to the fear that it will open the doors wide for manipulation.
Individual ulema will induct their own interpretation, leading to further cracks in the community.
The only new thing the writer has said is about inducting female theologians, which is a most welcome idea.
Nonetheless, it does seem that ijtehad has been going on quietly.
For example, pictures of human beings are now printed on currency notes which people carry in their pockets even during prayers.
Loudspeakers are now permissible as well as the use of many other scientific gadgets.
Even stem-cell research is kosher. For ijtehad to be uniformly binding on the ummah it is necessary first of all to establish a school comprising expert theologians of both genders, who should thrash out questions and then issue an authentic opinion.
S.G. JILANEE
Karachi
“Some scholars like Ghulam Ahmad Pervez even did attempt some ijtehad under which he approved “interest” on lending.”
Ghulam Ahmad Pervez is dead so he cannot come to his defence. I have studied almost all of his books and articles published in his magazine Tolu-e-Islam until 1985. I do not remember if he ever tried to make a halal into haram or haram into halal. I think it is a big accusation and author should verify before make such an statement. Or he should come up with proper references to support it.
To the People of Pakistan,
Muslims of this world should take vengeance for the Murder of Saddam Hussein after fooling us all. The same threat against our world should not be there on this Planet;anymore.
Thanks
Sajan.
It’s kind of difficult though since all of us depend heavily on them to provide us necessities like aircrafts, computers, satellites, communication systems, medicine, technology….the list is endless. And not forgetting dollar aid.