EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — The tradition of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) in Islam has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of society. While classical Islamic scholarship relied on individual mujtahids with mastery of multiple religious disciplines, contemporary ijtihad increasingly adopts a collective approach to address the complexities of modern life.
This was explained by M. Khaeruddin Hamsin, Vice Chairperson of the Council for Religious Opinion and Reform of the Muhammadiyah Central Board, during a Tarjih Study Session on (1/7). He noted that early Muslim scholars were able to perform independent ijtihad because they possessed comprehensive knowledge of the Qur’an, Hadith, Arabic language, and the principles of Islamic jurisprudence. This tradition later developed into the classical schools of Islamic law through strong teacher-student scholarly lineages.
Khaeruddin explained that classical scholarship recognized several categories of mujtahids, with the highest rank being mujtahid mutlaq mustaqill—scholars capable of establishing their own methodology for deriving Islamic law. Figures such as Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam al-Shafi’i, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal belonged to this category. Despite differences in legal opinions, they maintained close intellectual relationships and contributed to a rich tradition of scholarly debate.
Contemporary Ijtihad Practice
He added that modern realities have fundamentally changed the practice of ijtihad. Contemporary scholars such as Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Muhammad Abu Zahrah argue that legal reasoning today must integrate revealed texts (nass), contemporary realities, and public welfare (maslahah). As a result, understanding present-day social conditions (fiqh al-waqi’) and the higher objectives of Islamic law (maqasid al-shariah) has become essential.
To respond to these challenges, Muhammadiyah implements ijtihad jama’i (collective ijtihad), which involves experts from various disciplines rather than relying on a single scholar. Alongside specialists in Qur’anic studies, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence, the Majelis Tarjih also consults experts in medicine, psychology, economics, environmental studies, agriculture, and technology, depending on the issue under discussion.
Khaeruddin emphasized that this collective model does not abandon the classical legal tradition. Instead, Muhammadiyah continues to use the legacy of earlier scholars as an important reference while applying tarjih—selecting the strongest evidence among differing opinions—to ensure that Islamic legal rulings remain rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah while addressing the needs of contemporary society. Through this approach, Muhammadiyah seeks to preserve the continuity of Islamic scholarship and produce legal decisions that are both authentic and relevant to modern challenges.
