Why can interpretations of sharia differ among Muslim legal traditions?

Interpretations of sharia differ among Muslim legal traditions primarily because the process of deriving law, known as ijtihād (juristic effort), involves human reasoning applied to sacred texts. While the Qurʾān and Sunnah are the primary sources, they can be interpreted in various ways, leading to a diversity of legal positions.12

Historically, different regions developed unique legal traditions based on local customs and study circles, which were later codified by prominent jurists. Schools such as the Ḥanafī, Mālikī, Shāfiʿī, and Ḥanbalī emerged with different methodologies for weighing Hadith reports and using tools like qiyās (analogical reasoning). Furthermore, Shiʿi law differs from Sunni traditions due to a distinct politico-religious system that views imams as divinely inspired spokesmen of the law.31

Because these interpretations are considered the result of human ijtihād, they are viewed as tentative conclusions (ẓann) rather than absolute certainty (yaqīn). Consequently, Islamic law is a pluralistic system where differences of opinion are often regarded as a sign of divine bounty.14