mujtahid
Quick Summary
A mujtahid is an authoritative interpreter of Islamic religious law. This role involves exercising independent judgment, known as ijtihad, to address legal questions not explicitly covered in the Qur'an or Hadith.123
Historically, many qualified jurists could practice ijtihad. However, with the establishment of legal schools, particularly in Sunni Islam, the practice became more formalized. In Shi'a Islam, ijtihad is considered an ongoing process, and lay individuals are required to follow a living mujtahid. The concept of ijtihad is contrasted with taqlid, which is the unquestioning acceptance of legal decisions made by others.24
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ShiʿiShiʿi dynasties>mujtahid, someone trained and therefore qualified to undertake ijtihād). By contrast, those affiliated with the Akhbārī school argued for greater recourse to the statements of the imams (called akhbār) and more limited, if any, reliance on ijtihād. The latter did, however, accept the authoritative position…
Read More>mujtahid, someone trained and therefore qualified to undertake ijtihād). By contrast, those affiliated with the Akhbārī school argued for greater recourse to the statements of the imams (called akhbār) and more limited, if any, reliance on ijtihād. The latter did, however, accept the authoritative position…
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IslamShiʿismSince that time, the mujtahids (i.e., the Shiʿi jurists) have been able to interpret law and doctrine under the putative guidance of the imam, who will return toward the end of time to fill the world with truth and justice.
Read MoreSince that time, the mujtahids (i.e., the Shiʿi jurists) have been able to interpret law and doctrine under the putative guidance of the imam, who will return toward the end of time to fill the world with truth and justice.
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