Write notes on the following: (a) Ijtihad (b) The importance of epistles of Hazrat Ali (RA).

(a) Ijtihad

Meaning

Ijtihad, from juhd (effort), is the full exertion of a qualified jurist to derive a Shariah ruling on a practical matter from its detailed evidences. It applies where no clear and definite text settles the question. Allama Iqbal described it as "the principle of movement in the structure of Islam".

Evidence

When sending Mu'adh ibn Jabal (RA) to Yemen, the Prophet ﷺ approved of his intention to use his own judgement where the Quran and Sunnah were silent (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi; its chain is criticised, though its meaning is widely accepted). He also said that a judge who errs in Ijtihad has one reward, and one who is correct has two (Bukhari, Muslim). The Quran encourages deeper understanding of religion.

… فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ طَآئِفَةٌۭ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُوا۟ فِى ٱلدِّينِ …

"…Why should not a party from every group go forth to obtain understanding in the religion…" (At-Tawbah 9:122)

… وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰٓ أُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَنۢبِطُونَهُۥ مِنْهُمْ …

"…But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then those who can draw correct conclusions from it would have known it." (An-Nisa 4:83)

Conditions

A mujtahid must know the legal verses and hadith; must have mastered Arabic; must understand usul al-fiqh and existing consensus; must grasp the objectives of the law; must have integrity; and must understand the matter concerned. Ijtihad cannot contradict a clear text, such as the prohibition of riba.

Methods.

Historical course

The companions and the great imams practised it extensively. A view developed in later centuries that its "gate" had closed, which encouraged taqlid, although research shows the practice continued. Reformers from Shah Waliullah to Iqbal called for its renewal.

Contemporary importance

It addresses new issues such as Islamic banking, digital money, organ transplants, IVF, artificial intelligence, climate change, modern governance and Muslim minorities in non-Muslim states. Given the complexity of these issues, collective Ijtihad is now preferred, as in the OIC's International Islamic Fiqh Academy. In Pakistan, the Council of Islamic Ideology and the Federal Shariat Court, which issued its 2022 riba judgment, play related roles. Iqbal proposed that an elected assembly take up this role, advised by scholars.

Caution

Ijtihad must be protected from two dangers: rigid refusal to think, and casual opinions by unqualified people that follow desire or fashion.

(b) The importance of epistles of Hazrat Ali (RA)

Background and sources

During his caliphate (35–40 AH), Hazrat Ali (RA) governed from Kufa during a time of civil conflict, and wrote to governors, commanders, tax collectors and to his sons. Many letters are preserved in Nahj al-Balaghah, compiled by Sharif al-Radi in the tenth century, and some are also found in other early works. Scholars differ on the authenticity of some material in that collection, and it is revered especially among Shia Muslims, though many Sunni scholars admire its eloquence. Even so, the moral and administrative teachings in those letters have influenced Muslim thought for centuries.

1. Guidance on governance

His letter to Malik al-Ashtar, on appointing him governor of Egypt, is the most famous. It sets out a governor's duties towards his subjects, and it is among the most detailed statements of administrative ethics in early Islam.

2. Justice and rights of all people

He told Malik to fill his heart with mercy for his people, for they are "either your brothers in faith or your equals in creation". This is one of the clearest early statements of universal human dignity.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ

"O mankind, We created you from a male and a female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you before Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." (Al-Hujurat 49:13)

3. Honest administration

He advised selecting officials by testing, rather than through favouritism, paying them enough to keep them from corruption, and supervising them through trustworthy inspectors. He also wrote to tax collectors, telling them not to frighten people, sell their necessities or beat them for payment. Modern civil service reform makes similar recommendations.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا۟ ٱلْأَمَٰنَٰتِ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا۟ بِٱلْعَدْلِ …

"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice." (An-Nisa 4:58)

4. Protection of the poor

He urged Malik to pay special attention to the poor, to the disabled and to the helpless, and to set aside time when they could address him without fear of guards. He also told him to choose as chief judge a person of great learning and patience, to pay him well and to protect him from outside pressure, which supports the independence of the judiciary.

5. Economic wisdom

He told his governor that the development of land should come before the collection of tax, since a land that is not developed will not produce revenue, and rulers who collect without developing bring ruin. This remains an important insight for economic policy.

6. Accountability of relatives and officials

He wrote sharply to governors who misused public funds, including to a relative, demanding an account of what had been taken. He also rebuked one of his governors for attending a lavish banquet held by the wealthy while the poor were kept away.

… فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ ٱلْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ …

"…So judge between the people in truth and do not follow your desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah." (Sad 38:26)

7. Ethics of war

His letters instructed commanders not to begin fighting until the enemy had done so, not to kill the wounded or those fleeing, and not to harm women. He urged accepting peace when it is offered, while staying alert.

وَإِن جَنَحُوا۟ لِلسَّلْمِ فَٱجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

"And if they incline to peace, then incline to it also and rely upon Allah. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing." (Al-Anfal 8:61)

8. Moral and spiritual guidance

His long letter to his son Hasan (RA) offers fatherly advice on faith, worldly wisdom and treating people as you would wish to be treated. It remains a treasured work of ethical guidance.

9. Literary value

These writings are masterpieces of Arabic prose, and they have influenced Arabic literature and rhetoric.

Relevance today

The epistles speak directly to Pakistan's problems: favouritism in appointments, low civil service pay, a lack of judicial independence, harsh tax collection, unequal justice, and officials who are distant from the people. They also provide a shared moral heritage for Sunni and Shia Muslims, which can help to bridge sectarian divides. They should be taught at civil service training institutions, as a practical guide to ethical public service.

The writer can be reached at ma6749429@gmail.com