Obedience, Ijtihad & Taqlid: A Fresh Approach to Examining Blind Following and Its Effects
Synopsis "Obedience, Ijtihad & Taqlid: A Fresh Approach to Examining Blind Following and Its Effects"
BOOK DESCRIPTIONIttiba', Ijtihad, and Taqlid are three important concepts that affect one's practice of Islam whether he is a scholar or an ordinary Muslim. Ittiba' is "obedience", or the understanding of whom we should follow and give our obedience to in practicing or living by our religion. Ijtihad is to strive with utmost sincerity in arriving at the truth or the resolution of a problem. And taqlid is "blind imitation" or accepting the opinion or judgment of a person or a group without checking for its validity or evidence, believing that it is always correct. One who engages in taqlid does not consider any contrary opinion even if it may be backed up by authentic evidence from the Sunnah, since he/she believes that his Imam or madhhab is always correct or has the best opinions already. This work shows that Islam teaches us to submit our intellect to none but Allah and accept opinions based on objective evidence regardless of affiliations. It also points out some of the ill effects of taqlid on the ummah.EXCERPTS"A Muslim, by Qur'anic obligation, has a duty to think, and he submits his intellect to none but the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and then, by His authority, to His prophets. Opinions of all other human beings or entities are subject to test for soundness." - From the Introduction"As the knowledge of the Sunnah spreads among people, its spirit will touch and guide all spheres of human life ... More and more people will come to discover the beauty and essence of this religion. Ignorance among common people will give way to better understanding and practice of our religion and what it means to be Muslim while incompetence, superficial knowledge, sectarian mindset, and even lack of basic manners ... will be replaced by genuine scholarship, deeper understanding and insight, generous outlook, and independent thinking and judgment that is free of fear of enmity and sectarian intolerance. The fresh and revitalizing breeze of the Sunnah can bring about such an atmosphere; it is not utopian but a reality that existed among the early Muslims and many today are yearning for its return." - From the Epilogue
