URDU-IJTIHAD METHODOLOGY OF ISLAMIC RESEARCH ACADEMY CAIRO: A RESEARCH STUDY

Abstract

There are two types of Ijtihād: individual and collective. When an individual Muslim Jurist perform Ijtihād it is called individual Ijtihād and when a Council of Islamic Jurists or qualified scholars undertake utmost effort to discover the Sharia ruling then it is called collective Ijtihād. A governmental and non-governmental organization of qualified scholars is an appropriate platform for collective Ijtihād. Such jurists’ groups must be established in every Islamic country and society. In addition, there should be an international jurist’s counseling organization, which represents the entire Muslim Ummah. The Islamic Research Academy Cairo, comprising well known Muslim scholars throughout the world, is the supreme body of Islamic research and issuing Fatwa in Egypt. It undertakes research and issue Fatwa on all subjects related to Islamic doctrines, practices, and culture, expanding its knowledge to each level and in every environment. This research articles explores the history, governing body, internal structure, rules and regulations and methodology of issuing Fatwa of The Islamic Research Academy Cairo and the criticism on its approach to issue a Fatwa.

Keywords

• Ijtihād, Collective Ijtihād, Collective Fatwā, Shūrā, Contemporary Islam
• اجتہاد، اجتماعی اجتہاد، اجتماعی فتوی، شوری، معاصر اسلام