EPS 71 "Persoalan-persoalan Ijtihad"

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the concept of ijtihad, emphasizing its role in Islamic jurisprudence and beyond. Ijtihad, traditionally used in fiqh, is presented as a broader intellectual effort that extends to fields like psychology, medicine, and philosophy. The speaker highlights how ijtihad has been applied historically in areas such as theology, philosophy, Sufism, and politics, offering examples from various Islamic schools of thought. Furthermore, ijtihad is explored in the context of modern religious practices, such as adapting Hajj rituals and fasting duration in extreme conditions, underscoring its continued relevance in addressing contemporary challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ijtihad is the intellectual effort of scholars to derive practical legal rulings (Amaliah) from Islamic texts (dalil-dalil).
• 😀 Ijtihad traditionally applies to fiqh (jurisprudence), but some scholars argue it should extend to other areas like akidah (creed) and akhlak (ethics).
• 😀 Traditional scholars (usul al-fiqh) believe that ijtihad cannot be applied to matters of akidah since these are decisive (qat’i) and do not require interpretation.
• 😀 Theologians like mutakalimun believe that ambiguous verses (mutasyabihat) in the Qur'an and Hadith can be open to ijtihad, especially in areas like theology.
• 😀 Ijtihad is also necessary in modern-day issues that involve interdisciplinary knowledge, such as medicine, psychology, and economics, to make informed decisions.
• 😀 Real-world examples of ijtihad include decisions regarding gender reassignment surgery and certification of halal products (e.g., cosmetics).
• 😀 Ijtihad should not be limited to fiqh but should be applied to broader intellectual and ethical domains, as illustrated by scholars like Jalaluddin Rahmat.
• 😀 The historical examples of ijtihad show diverse views: for example, disagreements on the nature of God's attributes between the Ash'ari and Mu'tazila schools.
• 😀 Ijtihad has influenced political views on leadership succession after the Prophet Muhammad, with different opinions on who should succeed him (Ansar, Quraysh, Ali, and Khawarij).
• 😀 In worship (ibadah), while the essence cannot be changed by ijtihad, the technicalities, methods, and logistics of worship can evolve, such as adjustments made in Hajj logistics.
• 😀 Modern challenges in worship, such as fasting in regions with long daylight hours, can be addressed through ijtihad, recommending following the timings of nearby regions or Mecca.

Q & A

What is the definition of ijtihad according to Abu Zahrah?

According to Abu Zahrah, ijtihad is the effort made by a scholar to utilize all their abilities to derive practical legal rulings from detailed legal sources, specifically related to Islamic law (fiqh).

How do scholars of usul al-fiqh view the application of ijtihad in matters of creed (akidah)?

Scholars of usul al-fiqh view the sources related to creed (akidah), such as qat'i (definitive) texts, as being beyond the scope of ijtihad. They believe that ijtihad is only applicable within the realm of practical jurisprudence (fiqh), not in theological matters.

What is the stance of the mutakalimun (theologians) regarding ijtihad in matters of akidah?

The mutakalimun believe that in the realm of akidah, there are areas where the truth is not certain (doniat), and thus ijtihad is needed. They consider certain ambiguous verses (mutasyabihat) to require interpretation and ijtihad to resolve theological disputes.

What is the broader interpretation of ijtihad proposed by Jalaludin Rahmat?

Jalaludin Rahmat proposes that ijtihad should not be limited to fiqh alone, but should encompass issues of akidah (creed), amaliyyah (practical actions), and akhlaq (morality). This expands the role of ijtihad to include ethical and theological matters as well.

What role do other sciences play in ijtihad according to the speaker?

The speaker argues that ijtihad often requires collaboration with other sciences such as psychology, medicine, biology, and chemistry. For example, in issues like gender reassignment surgery or halal certification for products, the involvement of experts from relevant fields is necessary.

How does the speaker explain the evolution of the practice of hajj in relation to ijtihad?

The speaker explains that over time, the practices of hajj, such as tawaf (circumambulation) and the placement of accommodation in Mina, have evolved. Changes like multi-story jamarat and expanded spaces are examples of ijtihad in response to modern challenges such as overcrowding and safety concerns.

What is the position of classical fiqh scholars on ijtihad in matters of worship (ibadah)?

Classical fiqh scholars, supported by Muhammad Abduh, hold that the core aspects of worship (ibadah), particularly its substance, should not be subject to ijtihad. However, the technical aspects, such as logistics or adjustments in response to exceptional circumstances, can be ijtihadi.

Why is ijtihad in ibadah considered permissible in certain cases, such as in abnormal geographical locations?

In certain exceptional cases, such as in regions with extremely long or short days, ijtihad is permitted to adjust the practice of fasting or prayer times to local norms, even though the substance of ibadah remains unchanged. This is done to ensure that worship is manageable and practical.

Can you provide examples of ijtihad in Islamic history regarding political leadership?

In Islamic history, different groups had differing opinions on the successor to the Prophet. The Ansar believed the successor should be from their own group, while Abu Bakr argued it should be from the Quraysh, and Ali believed it should be from the Prophet's family. These differing views are examples of ijtihad in the political realm.

What is the debate regarding zakat on professional income (zakat profesi)?

The issue of zakat profesi, or zakat on professional income, is an example of ijtihad in the realm of worship. While zakat is traditionally associated with wealth like savings or agricultural produce, some scholars have used ijtihad to apply zakat to income from professions, adjusting to modern economic realities.