The Taqlīd al-Ijtihād Paradox: Challenges to Qurʾanic Hermeneutics

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-167
Author(s):  
Abdulla Galadari
Keyword(s):  
Early Medieval ◽  
Islamic History ◽  
Prophetic Tradition ◽  
Challenging Question ◽  
Muslim Scholars ◽  
Contemporary Islam

Ijtihād has been extremely important throughout Islamic history and seen as such by many Muslim scholars, both Sunni and Shiʿi, in early, medieval, and contemporary Islam. However, the phenomenon of ijtihad, in both traditional and contemporary Islam, is restricted to a set of rules that were outlined by earlier mujtahids. This poses a challenge in Qurʾanic hermeneutics as to whether contemporary mujtahids are performing ijtihād or merely imitating (taqlīd) the method of ijtihād. The purpose of this study is to investigate the following question: is ijtihād in the Qurʾanic Sciences today merely an imitation (taqlīd) of ijtihād? The paper opens with defining imitation (taqlīd) according to classical Muslim scholars, starting with the arguments that accepts imitation in Islam and then compares it with various scholars’ stances on ijtihād. The paper employs arguments from the Qurʾan, prophetic tradition (ḥadīth), and acts of the Companions (ṣaḥābah) that are typically used by Muslim scholars to argue in favor of ijtihād over imitation (taqlīd). It compares the stance of both Sunni and Shiʿi scholars on the roles of both mujtahids and sources of jurisprudence (marājiʿ) and muftīs. It shows that, in Qurʾanic Sciences, although the role of ijtihād is highly recommended, it continues to be part of a larger paradox, in which ijtihād may only be performed through a set of rules outlined by early scholars. This brings us to a paradox that to be a mujtahid, one needs to imitate (taqlīd) rules outlined by earlier mujtahids, which poses the challenging question on whether scholars today are truly performing ijtihād, or simply taqlīd al-ijtihād.

Women and Ḥadīth Transmission: Prolific Role of Aisha in Validation and Impugnment of Prophetic Traditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-227
Author(s):  
Musferah Mehfooz
Keyword(s):  
Significant Role ◽  
Muslim Women ◽  
Islamic History ◽  
Great Honor ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Muslim Scholars

Abstract Muslim history is animated with examples of women who mastered the art of ḥadīth (Prophetic traditions) sciences and besides this, they had also displayed their expertise in the field of Al-Jarḥ wa Taʿdīl (Validation and Impugnment) of Prophetic traditions. The science of Al-Jarḥ wa Taʿdīl is a very subtle and sensitive branch of Usūl al ḥadīth (the science of ḥadīth) which deals with acceptance or rejection of Prophetic narrations, based on the trustworthiness and weaknesses of ḥadīth narrator. Since the beginning of Islamic history, Muslim women have constantly taken a prominent part in narration, preservation, and memorization of ḥadīth, these efforts continued for a long time and there were numerous distinguished female scholars of ḥadīth who were treated with great honor. This study aims to investigate the contribution of these muḥaddithāt (female scholars of ḥadīth) in ḥadīth narration and specifically the significant role of Aisha (R.A.) in the field of Al-Jarḥ wa Taʿdīl. This study also aims to put forth the contribution of muḥaddithāt in ḥadīth narration during the early centuries of Islam parallel to their role in Al-Jarḥ and Taʿdīl of narrators. Furthermore, this study would be a humble effort to highlight the intellectual contributions of female Muslim scholars of ḥadīth to encourage women of today to carry this legacy forward by mastering this scholarly endeavour and continue the legacy of their pious predecessors.

Female Prophetic Traditions in the Old Testament

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-82
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Grey
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Near East ◽  
Ancient Near East ◽  
National Life ◽  
Prophetic Tradition ◽  
Women Prophets ◽  
Gender Limitations

Abstract This article explores the tradition of female prophets in the Old Testament utilizing Isaiah’s woman (Isa. 8.1-4) as a case study. First, it discusses the general evidence for a female prophetic tradition in the Old Testament, locating it in the broader ancient Near East context. It then focuses on examples of women prophets within the Old Testament to demonstrate the role of female prophets in shaping national life and politics despite the gender limitations of women in ancient Israelite society. Following this broader discussion, a case study of Isaiah’s wife is presented to explore her function and role as a prophet. In particular, the role of hannevi’ah as a possible mother within the prophetic guild is examined. Finally, the implications for the Pentecostal community are considered, focusing on retrieving the role of prophetic mothers to function alongside prophetic fathers.

Physicochemical approaches to gold and silver work, an overview: Searching for technologies, tracing routes, attempting to preserve

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria F. Guerra
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Corrosion ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Precious Metals ◽  
Gold Alloys ◽  
Exchange Networks ◽  
Trade Routes ◽  
Physicochemical Methods ◽  
Corrosion Mechanisms ◽  
Challenging Question

Abstract Gold alloys and silver alloys have always been widely employed in the production of significant objects. With high reflectivity, precious metals are perceived as both materials and colours, and can be skilfully combined to produce metallic polychrome effects. Because their structure and composition contain information on their manufacture, use, disclaim and degradation, items in gold and in silver enclose major information on the technologies employed by past societies and on exchange networks. This information can be acquired using appropriate analytical protocols, established according to the nature of the query and the characteristics of the objects. By using physicochemical techniques, it is possible to identify the technologies, materials and tools used by the artisan and, in particular cases, to situate the sources of raw materials and the workshops producing the objects, as well as to follow the trade routes. The aim of this work is to outline major achievements in the study of goldwork and silverwork based on the different physicochemical methods that are available, and to refer the analytical difficulties that have to be faced when studying objects made from precious metals. Based on several examples, three topics are addressed. The first concerns the major role of the techniques of exam when describing shaping, decorating, assembling and finishing; the second considers the search for metallic polychrome effects in some cultural areas; and the third discusses the challenging question of fingerprinting. A fourth section is dedicated to a short reflection on the difficulties related to the identification of the atmospheric corrosion mechanisms of precious metals.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Muslims and Islamic Concepts: Rethinking and Establishing the Actual Origin of Concepts and Thought in Psychology

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajmal Majeed ◽  
Jabir K.P
Keyword(s):  
Early Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Great Role ◽  
Ibn Sina ◽  
The Real ◽  
Western Countries ◽  
Development Period ◽  
Academic Discussion ◽  
Muslim Scholars

The paper deals with contribution of Muslim philosophers, scholars, scientists and psychologists for psychology in the early development period of psychology. One of the major aim of this paper is to re-evaluate the real and factual origin of concepts about the treatments, theories, psycho-therapies, meditation etc. Today the western countries are ruling over the psychology development. The paper explains and establishes the argument that the Concepts and theories are formed with the contribution of Muslim thoughts and ideas. Islamic approaches and interpretation play a role in the advancement of psychology. The paper focuses on several Muslim scholars like Imam Ghazali, Ashraf Ali Yhanvi, Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, Abu-Ali al-Husayn ibn Abdalah ibn-Sina,etc. whose contributions are not mentioned in any academic discussion or textbooks of psychology or related publication. So the paper will be a thoughtful work for the psychologists to rethink about the contribution and the role of Islam and Muslims in psychology. Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is one of the best person who lived in this world to lead the humans toward well- being in all perspectives of life. The paper concludes with the argument that the Islamic concepts and Muslim scholars have a great role in the advancement of psychology.

scholarly journals Pemberdayaan Pemuda Milenial Melalui Program Penguatan Jati Diri Insan Kamil di Komunitas Home Education Based Akhlak and Talent

ESOTERIK ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Suprima Suprima ◽  
Muhamad Parhan ◽  
Alma Shafira Reviana ◽  
Nurti Budiyanti ◽  
Agus Fakhruddin
Keyword(s):  
Field Research ◽  
Community Empowerment ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Home Education ◽  
Youth Empowerment ◽  
Islamic History ◽  
Life Orientation ◽  
The Times

<p class="06IsiAbstrak">Millennial Youth Empowerment Through the Program for Strengthening the Identity of Muslim Youth in the Community Home Education Based Akhlak and Talent. Youth with age characteristics who have a tempestuous spirit, the development of thinking power and the development of maximum maturity, in Islamic history have contributed a lot to world civilization. But today's youth seem to have started to lose their identity. Many young people are confused about the purpose of their lives, their life orientation is not directed to the good of the afterlife Therefore, it is important to have a youth empowerment program. The research approach uses a qualitative method with field research. The results of the study revealed that the Home Education Based Akhlak and Talent (HEBAT) community is one of the programs that empowers youth with the values of <em>fitrah</em>-based education <em>(Insan Kamil)</em>. The program tries to apply a fitrah assessment model with a mentoring method to ignite the nature of youth so that they shine beautifully into youth who have an empowered paradigm that is not only seen from an economic perspective, but empowered which means freedom from serving other than Allah. Youth who can have an impact on community empowerment are youth who are integrated between mental and spiritual, transmit the spirit of monotheism in addition to the science and technology they master, and are adaptive to the times. The role of the youth is as a solution for the community and as proof of work as a provision for the afterlife.</p>

scholarly journals Elitism and Status: Reassessing Settlement Hierarchy in Early Medieval England

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-42
Author(s):  
Hana Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Hierarchical Model ◽  
Medieval England ◽  
Rural Settlements ◽  
Early Medieval ◽  
Social Functions ◽  
The Status ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Scholarly Attention

The complexities of identifying and understanding settlement hierarchy in early medieval England (c. 5th–11th centuries) is the focus of much debate. Within this field of enquiry, settlement arrangements, architecture, landholding patterns and material culture are commonly used in the identification of a range of settlement types. These include royal complexes, monastic institutions, towns and trading/production sites such as emporia. This same evidence is also used to interpret the status and role of these sites in early medieval England. This paper advances the current understanding of settlement hierarchy through an assessment of rural settlements and their material culture. These settlements have received comparatively less scholarly attention than higher profile early medieval sites such as elite, ecclesiastical and urban centres, yet represent a rich source of information. Through analysis of material culture as evidence for the consumption, economic and social functions which characterise rural settlements, a picture of what were inherently complex communities is presented. The findings further support the need to reassess settlement hierarchy in early medieval England and a new hierarchical model is proposed.  

The temple and the state in medieval South India

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kesavan Veluthat
Keyword(s):  
South India ◽  
The State ◽  
Medieval Period ◽  
Early Medieval ◽  
Early Medieval Period ◽  
Role Of The State ◽  
The Temple

This article brings out certain aspects of the ways in which the temple and the state were related in the early medieval period. Arriving in South India almost simultaneously, both derived support from each other. While the state patronised the temple, the latter lent considerable legitimacy to the former. The temple gradually started appropriating the role of the state in numerous ways, assuming administrative, judicial and fiscal functions. In many cases it was now in a position even to challenge the local political authorities.

‘Folk’ Cemeteries, Assembly and Territorial Geography in Early Anglo-Saxon England

2019 ◽  
pp. 64-90
Author(s):  
Stuart Brookes
Keyword(s):  
Anglo Saxon ◽  
Medieval Period ◽  
Early Medieval ◽  
Southern England ◽  
Early Medieval Period

This chapter examines the evidence for open-air assembly places existing at cemeteries of the 5th and 6th centuries in eastern and southern England. Contrasts are drawn between the types of cemetery (i.e. primarily inhumation or cremation), and types of legal assembly taking place at these sites. A small number of associated sites are identified and discussed, but it is argued that in general ‘folk’ cemeteries were not reused by later Anglo-Saxon communities as places of legal assembly. Examination of the available evidence identifies some of the features of palimpsest landscapes and attempts to provide an explanation for their continued significance through the early medieval period. Particular emphasis is given in this discussion to the role of elite power, and its appropriation of the symbolic landscape.

The Moderating Role of Ikhtilāf (Reasoned Disagreement)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hashim Kamali
Keyword(s):  
Freedom Of Expression ◽  
Islamic History ◽  
Theological Schools ◽  
Islamic Thought ◽  
Textual Data ◽  
Difference Of Opinion ◽  
Constructive Criticism ◽  
Moderating Role

Difference of opinion and interpretation is a well-recognized feature of law and theology in Islam, originating in the fact that the bulk of the textual data of the Qur’an and hadith is open to interpretation. This has led, in turn, to the emergence of a large number of legal and theological schools throughout the Islamic history, many of which have survived to this day. This chapter reviews scriptural evidence in the Qur’an, hadith, and Islamic scholarship that support freedom of expression and interpretation in various ways, including consultation, sincere advice, independent reasoning, and constructive criticism, all pointing to the reality of ikhtilaf, diversity and pluralism in Islamic thought.

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