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Egypt · Religion & Belief · Normal
What is the Islamic theological concept — central to the Al-Azhar curriculum — of independent legal reasoning to derive rulings from scripture when no clear precedent exists?
Answer: Ijtihad — Ijtihad ('exertion' or 'diligent effort') is the process by which a qualified jurist (mujtahid) applies independent reasoning to derive a legal ruling from the Quran and Sunnah — the 'gates of ijtihad' were traditionally considered closed in Sunni Islam from the 10th century, but reformist scholars argue they must reopen to address modern challenges.
- A Ijma'
- B Ijtihad ✓
- C Qiyas
- D Istihsan
Ijtihad ('exertion' or 'diligent effort') is the process by which a qualified jurist (mujtahid) applies independent reasoning to derive a legal ruling from the Quran and Sunnah — the 'gates of ijtihad' were traditionally considered closed in Sunni Islam from the 10th century, but reformist scholars argue they must reopen to address modern challenges.