Resolutions-of-Islamic-Fiqh-Council-1

The Third Resolutionon Issue of IjtehadAll praise be to Almighty Allah.Blessing and peace be on His Prophet Muhammadafter whom there is no prophet, and on all thosewho followed his way of guidance.The Islamic Fiqh Council during its 8 th session held at theheadquarters of the Muslim World League in MakkahMukarramah between 28 Rabi Al-Aakhir 1405H – 7 Jumad Al-Oula 1405H (18-29 January 1985) looked into the issue ofIjtehad which is meant for striving to know any of the Shari’ahrulings through inference from the evidences of Shari’ah.The basic structure of Ijtehad requires full knowledge withthe necessary conditions, without which there is no scope forIjtehad in order to realize the Fardh Kifayah (an obligation to beaccomplished not necessarily by the entire society, but a sectionof the society), as Almighty Allah says: “Nor should theBelievers all go forth together, if a contingent from expeditionremaind behind, they could devote themselves to studies inreligion and admonish the people when they return to them thatthey (may learn) to guard themselves (against evil).” (Qur’an,9:122)The Qur’anic verse expounds that studies in religionrequire devotion and striving, so it is necessary to make theutmost effort and full care to reach the correct understandig ofreligion.Imam Al-Soyuti in his book ‘Arrad Ala Man Akhlada Ilal-Ardh Wa Jahal Annal Ijtehad Fi Kulli Asri Fardh’ has fullyexplained the obligation of Ijtehad. He emphasized that Ijtehad213