The Examination of Gilliot’s Critical Views on the Legitimacy of Ijtihadi Interpretation

Abstract

One of oldest and most important discussions of the Quranic thinkers is the legitimacy of the interpretive methods. Gilliot is one of the orientalists who have put forth criticisms on the legitimacy of the Ijtihadi interpretation. His criticisms have four dimensions: the Ijtihadi interpretation was established at the end of the second century AH; at the same time, Muslim thinkers opposed the Ijtihadi interpretation; narrations oppose the Ijtihadi interpretation; and there is no agreement with the Ijtihadi interpretation in the Quran. These criticisms are answered in two ways. First, the Ijtihadi interpretation method was established in the early years of the first century AH and the opposition to it occurred at the same time. Second, no narration is against the Ijtihadi interpretation. Those narrations that have prohibited the subjective interpretation of the Quranic text do not refer to the Ijtihadi interpretation. In addition, many narrations agree with the Ijtihadi interpretation. Moreover, some verses of the Quran also agree with the Ijtihadi interpretation.

Keywords

• the interpretation of the quran
• ijtihadi interpretation
• subjective interpretation of the quranic text
• legitimacy of interpretation
• gilliot