CSS 2023 Special Solved Islamiyat Past Papers | Ijtehad and its Relevance Today
The following question of Islamiat is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted on the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner asked about the concept of Ijtehad and its relevance in addressing current issues faced by the Muslim Ummah. Basically, this question is divided into two sub-questions, carrying ten marks each. First, you have to describe the concept of Ijtehad in the light of the Quran and Sunnah. Afterwards, you have to write three to five arguments with strong evidence for better explaining Ijtehad’s relevance in addressing contemporary issues that the Ummah face today. Finally, end your answer with a critical analysis and a conclusion.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Elucidating the concept of ljtehad
3-Importance of Ijtehad in the light of the Quran
4-Importance of ljtehad in the light of the Hadith
5-The relevance of Ijtehad in addressing contemporary issues being faced by the Muslim Ummah
- ✓Lack of unity in the Muslim Ummah, prioritising economic and political interests
- For instance, the UAE government conferred upon the Indian Prime Minister the highest civilian award after stripping Kashmir of its special status
- ✓Undue stricture and Islamophobia, facing social exploitation
- For example, the Christchurch mosque attack (2019) and the US President’s Muslim travel ban (2017)
- ✓Paralysis of the Ummah against Muslim genocides, failing to wage Jihad in the modern nation-state world
- For instance, the Muslim Ummah’s helplessness against the Palestinians, Uyghurs, and Kashmiris’ genocides
- ✓Patriarchal oppression inflicted by the Taliban regime, tarnishing the image of Islam worldwide
- For example, the Taliban abolished the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, replacing it with the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, promoting gender-based violence
- ✓Modern electoral process in Muslim countries, ignoring cthe haracter and knowledge of the candidates
- For instance, the First Past the Post (FPTP) method
6-Critical analysis
7-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Islam undoubtedly provides an integrated system of living, delivering timeless and universal guidance. Although there is no room for the making of new rulings in Islam, there is still no prohibition on the reinterpretation of the existing laws for seeking rulings for the nascent circumstances of all times. For this, Ijtehad, the utmost effort by a trained Muslim intellectual to form an opinion on a legal matter by applying analogy to the Quran and Sunnah, has long been a catalyst. Unfortunately, the doors of Ijtehad have long been closed, but today, its relevance is more pressing than ever. Some of the most important contemporary issues faced by the Muslim Ummah that make ijtehad entirely compulsory are the lack of unity in the Muslim Ummah, undue restrictions and Islamophobia, paralysis of the Ummah against Muslim genocides, patriarchal oppression inflicted by the Taliban regime, etc. Hence, it is high time Muslim intellectuals exercised Ijtehad to seek possible solutions to the aforementioned issues of the Muslim Ummah.
Elucidating the concept of Ijtehad
While delineating the term “Ijtehad,” its root word is basically “jahad,” which means “to exert or strive one’s power, efforts, or ability.” Therefore, the literal meaning of Ijtehad is striving or exerting one’s maximum effort or ability to prosecute the affair. In fiqh, it refers to the effort of the mujtahid to do his utmost to resolve an issue of Shariah. Moreover, in Al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam-4 book, the prominent scholar Al-Amidi explains,
“Ijtehad is that academic research of the mujtahid who exerts his utmost intellectual endeavor in it to legislate the laws of Shariah wherever the nusûs (the Quran and the Sunnah) are silent.”
This definition explicitly defines Ijtehad as the maximum assertion of human intellect to resolve new problems arising in society. For instance, in his book Al-Mustasfa Min Ilm Al-Usul, Imam Al-Ghazali (R.A.) has discussed the decision of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.), prompted by Hazrat Umar (R.A.), regarding the compilation of the Holy Quran into a single book as an example of Ijtehad exercised by Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.). In short, ijtehad facilitates the formulation of the rulings of Islam regarding the emerging problems that the Quran and the Sunnah do not specifically address.
Importance of Ijtehad in the light of the Quran
Moving further, Allah the Exalted has given the utmost importance to Ijtehad in the Holy Quran. In Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 69, Allah Almighty states,
“As for those who strive in us, we surely guide them to our path.”
In this verse, the Quran provided the sound foundation of the principle of Ijtehad to meet the growing legal requirements of society in the future. Moreover, in Surah An-Nisa, verse 83, Allah Almighty says,
“And when there comes to them information about (public) security or fear, they spread it around. But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who (could) draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it …”
Surah An-Nisa, verse 83
This verse signifies that the Prophet (PBUH) or men with authority, wisdom, and understanding are able to search the hidden meanings by the correct use of their judgment and reason. Hence, Allah Almighty has encouraged the believers in the Quran to make interpretations and deduce solutions by way of Ijtehad.
Importance of Ijtehad in the light of the Sunnah
Apart from Quranic revelations, the Messenger (PBUH) has also motivated believers to seek help through Ijtehad while resolving any nascent issue. In Sunan al-Tirmidhi, it has been mentioned that while the Prophet (PBUH) sent Hazrat Ma’az bin Jabal (R.A.) as the governor of Yemen, he asked, “How will you judge?” Hazrat Ma’az (R.A.) said, “I will judge according to the Holy Quran.” The Prophet asked, “What if it is not in the Holy Quran?” He (R.A.) replied, “Then, with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet asked, “What if it is not in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)?” He (R.A.) answered, “Then, I will strive to form an opinion.” The Prophet said, “All praise is due to Allah, the One Who made the messenger of the Messenger of Allah suitable.” This incident depicts that the Prophet (PBUH) himself motivated Muslims for Ijtehad. Moreover, in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet (PBUH) has been quoted by saying,
“If a judge makes a ruling by striving to apply his reasoning and he is correct, he will get two rewards. If a judge makes a ruling by striving to apply his reasoning and he is mistaken, he will get one reward.”
This hadith sheds light on the significance of Ijtehad in Islam, saying that even if one commits a mistake in doing it, one would still be rewarded for the sincere effort. Thus, Islam has left room in the Sharia for the doctrine of Ijtehad to make Islamic society move ahead and not remain conservative and stagnant.
The relevance of Ijtehad in addressing contemporary issues being faced by the Muslim Ummah
In the section mentioned below, the relevance of Ijtehad in addressing the contemporary issues being faced by the Muslim Ummah will be discussed in detail.
- Lack of unity in Muslim Ummah, prioritizing economic and political interests
To begin with, the most pressing challenge that the Muslim Ummah faces today is the lack of unity among themselves, prioritising economic and political interests over brotherhood. This disunity is undoubtedly hindering the Ummah’s collective progress and strength. Therefore, seeking help through Ijtehad has become the need of the hour. Muslim scholars should exercise Ijtehad regarding the question of whether the economic and political interests or the Muslim Ummah’s brotherhood should be preferred. For instance, it is heart-wrenching to witness that the UAE government conferred upon the Indian Prime Minister, the proclaimed butcher of Muslims, the highest civilian award, soon after India stripped Kashmir’s special status and imposed curfew in August 2019. The prime reason behind their cordial relations is the fact that India is the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil. Also, it is home to a rapidly growing consumer market and labour pool that the federation of sheikhdoms relies on for its own economy. It vividly suggests that the unity among the Muslim Ummah is withering away day in and day out because of economic and political interests. Hence, it is high time Muslim scholars exercised Ijtehad for devising a new mechanism to promote unity among the Ummah.
- Undue stricture and Islamophobia, facing social exploitation
In addition to it, Ijtehad has also become relevant in addressing the contemporary issue of undue stricture and Islamophobia being faced by the Muslim Ummah. Actually, since the 9/11 incident, the Muslim Ummah has been witnessing biasness in the Western attitude towards themselves, always being subjected to unjustified stigmatisation, prejudice, and, thereby, social exploitation. This animosity against Islam or Muslims not only leads to physical attacks on the lives and properties of the Muslims living as minorities but also challenges their beliefs and ideas openly in the media. Hence, Ijtehad has become a prime need to address what role Muslim scholars can play in correcting Islamophobic misconceptions, cyberhate, and anti-Muslim propaganda. For instance, the Christchurch mosque attack (2019), a white supremacist killing 51 Muslims, the US President’s Muslim Travel Ban (2017), and numerous mob lynching cases of cow traders by Hindu vigilantes are the glaring examples of Islamophobia. In the book ‘Being Muslim in Hindu India,’ the author Ziya Us Salam states,
“Muslims have become second-class citizens, an invisible minority in their own country.”
These examples highlight the desperate condition of Muslims. Thus, Ijtehad has become compulsory for Muslim intellectuals to find a way to overcome the contemporary challenge of undue stricture and islamophobia being faced by Muslim Ummah.
- Paralysis of the Ummah against Muslim genocides, failing to wage Jihad in the modern nation-state world
Furthermore, Muslim Ummah’s paralysis against Muslim genocides is also one of the contemporary issues upon which Ijtehad has become a need of time. Actually, the Ummah’s voice has muffled and its actions are stifled, being powerless to end the plight of its besieged brethren, especially the Palestinians, Uyghurs, Kashmiris, etc. Now, Ijtehad has become entirely relevant to seeking the answers to what role Muslim-majority countries and international organisations have in preventing and responding to genocide and how they can be held accountable for their silence. Moreover, Muslim scholars also need to exercise Ijtehad to know how Muslim countries wage jihad in the modern world of nation-states, as waging jihad would make the war come to their own countries, resulting in mass destruction. Hence, the Ummah’s inaction against their brother’s genocides is a contemporary issue that makes Ijtehad entirely relevant to seeking the modern form of jihad in present times.
- Patriarchal oppression inflicted by the Taliban regime, tarnishing the image of Islam worldwide
Moving ahead, patriarchal oppression is another contemporary issue that is predominantly faced by the Afghan women of Muslim Ummah, and Ijtehad has become a dire necessity to seek a remedy for it. Basically, after the Taliban’s return to power, women are barred from attending higher school, traveling without male chaperones, obtaining driving licenses, and many more. Unfortunately, justice courts have been refusing to hear cases related to divorce, separation, and domestic violence since the Taliban takeover. Adding salt to injury, the Taliban has also abolished the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, replacing it with the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which promotes gender-based violence. These illustrations are worthy enough to suggest that the government’s policies are highly influenced by Afghan tribal culture and are tainted by personal likes and dislikes rather than aligning with the true teachings of Islam. Therefore, exercising Ijtehad has become a fundamental duty of Muslim intellectuals to end patriarchal oppression and seek the answers for whether the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education, mobility, and employment contradict Islamic principles of knowledge and wisdom or not, how classical Islamic jurists’ interpretations on women’s rights and roles align with modern contexts, and how to revive the true image of Islam worldwide. Thus, Ijtehad has become compulsory for Muslim scholars to save the true image of Islam by ending patriarchal oppression in Afghanistan.
- The modern electoral process in Muslim countries ignores the character and knowledge of candidates
Lastly, another important contemporary issue for which Ijtehad has become relevant is the modern electoral process. Actually, the current democratic electoral process is mostly based on the First Past the Post (FPTP) method, which focuses on winning the majority of the votes rather than showcasing a candidate’s expertise or integrity. Undeniably, this method favours those with strong party backing or financial resources rather than those with the best qualifications or character. Consequently, it leads to competent candidates being overlooked and less-qualified individuals being elected, thereby entangling Muslim countries in the vicious cycle of social, political, and economic crises. Contrary to it, the Islamic electoral process prioritizes the moral character, capability, and knowledge of the candidate. Thus, in the current scenario, it has become a vital duty of the Islamic scholars to exercise Ijtehad to develop clear guidelines that prioritise character, knowledge, and expertise and to create more inclusive and effective electoral processes that truly serve the people.
Critical analysis
Critically, the decline of the Muslim Ummah has gradually progressed from a superpower to mere disoriented people who are subjected to humiliation in every field of life, because they have stopped critical thinking (Ijtehad) to meet the challenges of the modern world and started blindly following. However, the old interpretations of Shariah no longer provide suitable answers to the contemporary issues faced by the Muslim Ummah. Thus, to regain their eminence glory, the Ummah must return to critical thinking, and the key to this remains in the practice of Ijtehad. Undeniably, this is the only way through which Muslims can make themselves compatible with the existing world and cope with the challenges presented by the dynamic world. However, exercising Ijtehad is no longer a piece of cake in the modern world. Actually, the emergence of the concept of the nation-states becomes a huge hurdle in attempting Ijtehad. For this, regional centers in the various countries should be established, where Ijtehad could be exercised for the guidance of common men. These regional centres should then be connected with a global centre, which can be established in any one of the holy places. Primarily, the representative of those regional centres may be the forefather of exercising Ijtehad for the whole of Ummah and then preparing it to withstand foreign challenges. This is the best way to reopen the doors of Ijtehad for contemporary issues because, without it, the gap between Shariah and contemporary issues will always be impossible to bridge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Islam is indeed a system of life that is practical for all times, and ijtehad is the only way to move society from stagnation. Thus, where the laws given in the form of revelation cannot be altered or annulled by Muslim scholars, the laws obtained by practising Ijtehad can be modified, replaced, or cancelled according to the present-day issues in society. Some of the prime contemporary issues that make Ijtehad entirety compulsory are the lack of unity in the Muslim Ummah, undue restrictions and Islamophobia, paralysis of the Ummah against Muslim genocides, patriarchal oppression inflicted by the Taliban regime, etc. Hence, it is high time Muslim intellectuals exercised Ijtehad to seek possible solutions to the aforementioned contemporary issues of the Muslim Ummah.
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