Ijtihad (independent reasoning) is essential for intellectual and societal advancement. In Islamic Shariah, it is the scholarly effort to interpret and apply Islamic teachings to new situations using the principles of the Quran and Sunnah. By addressing societal changes, ijtihad ensures Islam’s relevance and preserves the dynamic nature of Islamic law. In contrast, abandoning ijtihad, known as taqlid (imitation), leads to intellectual stagnation, depriving societies of progress and development.
