FatwaFederal TerritoriesLegal Theory & Methodology
IRSYAD USUL FIQH SIRI KE-60 : KEADAAN YANG MEMERLUKAN ORANG AWAM ‘BERIJTIHAD’
Are there situations in which ordinary Muslims must exercise ijtihad?
Short answer
Ijtihad in the sense of deriving rulings of Islamic law is restricted to qualified mujtahids.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad Usul al-Fiqh
- Topic
- Legal Theory & Methodology
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Ijtihad in the sense of deriving rulings of Islamic law is restricted to qualified mujtahids. However, in the sense of making a sincere effort to determine what is correct (taharriy), ordinary people must also exercise it in certain situations. Examples include determining the direction of the qibla, choosing clean water or clothing, and seeking out a mufti to ask for a ruling.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Adapun ijtihad dalam erti kata curahan usaha dan tenaga yang bersungguh-sungguh untuk mengistinbatkan hukum syar'ie, maka ia tetap dikhususkan kepada para mujtahid dan ulama yang berkelayakan sahaja.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD USUL FIQH SIRI KE-60 : KEADAAN YANG MEMERLUKAN ORANG AWAM ‘BERIJTIHAD’”, 22 April 2020. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-usul-fiqh/4466-irsyad-usul-fiqh-siri-ke-60-keadaan-yang-memerlukan-orang-awam-berijtihad. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/when-laypeople-must-exercise-ijtihad/