Risalah Ijtihad

This powerful treatise from the Risale-i Nur Collection, known as the 27th Word, examines the issue of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) in the context of modern times. While acknowledging its historical importance in Islamic jurisprudence, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi addresses whether ijtihad is appropriate or even possible in the current age, and under what conditions it may be legitimately applied. With wisdom, clarity, and deep reverence for tradition, he argues that not every age is suited for the reopening of the door of ijtihad, especially during times of widespread ignorance and spiritual decline.

The treatise begins by reaffirming the greatness of the early mujtahids—the qualified scholars of the early Islamic centuries—who combined vast knowledge of religious texts with piety, sincerity, and divine guidance. These scholars lived in an age when the Islamic sciences were flourishing and their mastery of the Qur’an, Sunnah, Arabic language, and legal principles allowed them to issue judgments that became foundational for the four madhhabs (legal schools). Their ijtihad was not mere personal reasoning, but a deeply spiritual and intellectual task performed under immense responsibility.

However, Bediuzzaman points out that the spiritual, moral, and intellectual conditions of the modern age are vastly different. He cautions that those who call for unrestricted ijtihad today often do so not from knowledge and sincerity, but from superficial reasoning or ideological motivations. Without the depth and discipline of earlier scholars, modern attempts at ijtihad risk undermining the unity and stability of Islamic practice. He also warns that premature or misguided ijtihad could open the door to secularism, innovation without guidance, and fragmentation within the ummah.

The treatise does not deny the concept of ijtihad in principle, nor does it reject the possibility of renewal when the necessary qualifications are met. Rather, it outlines the strict conditions under which ijtihad could be permissible—emphasizing the need for profound scholarship, genuine spiritual integrity, and a deep connection to the Qur’an and Sunnah. It reinforces that the preservation of the religion, especially during times of confusion and moral decline, must take precedence over theoretical reform.

Through this work, Bediuzzaman reaffirms the wisdom of the classical tradition while calling for humility, caution, and unity in the face of modern challenges. The Treatise on Ijtihad thus stands as both a defense of the enduring relevance of Islamic law and a warning against careless tampering with its foundations. In a world where opinion often replaces knowledge, this treatise is a reminder that true reform must come with reverence, discipline, and divine guidance.