Ijtihad (Independent Legal Reasoning)
The independent interpretive effort to derive legal rules from the Islamic sources.
Ijtihad literally means "effort" and refers to the qualified scholar's independent interpretive effort to derive legal rules from the Quran and Sunnah in matters where there is no clear and unambiguous text. It is one of the most important mechanisms for the development and adaptation of Islamic law.
The founders of the four Sunni schools of law were all mujtahid mutlaq (absolutely independent legal interpreters). The Prophet (peace be upon him) recognized ijtihad when he sent Mu'adh ibn Jabal to Yemen and asked him how he would judge. Mu'adh answered: "With the Book of Allah, then with the Sunnah of the Prophet, and then with my own ijtihad." The Prophet approved of this.
In prayer matters, ijtihad is relevant for topics such as calculating prayer times at high latitudes, using technology to determine the qibla direction, and new situations such as prayer in space or on an airplane. Imam al-Ghazali set strict conditions for the one who exercises ijtihad in his work "al-Mustasfa."
Related terms
Takbir (Allahu Akbar)
The exclamation "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest), marking transitions in the prayer.
Tabi'in (The Successors)
The generation of Muslims who met the Prophet's companions but did not themselves meet the Prophet.
Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
The third daily prayer, performed in the afternoon.
Ruku (Bowing)
Bowing from the waist during prayer as a sign of humility.
Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)
Asking Allah for forgiveness for one's sins and mistakes.
Sujud al-Tilawah (Prostration of Recitation)
A prostration performed when reciting or hearing specific Quranic verses.