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Friday, June 15, 2012

Taqlid Versus Tajdid-A Malaysian Mufti on the Metholology of Islamic Reform,

Ijtihad, Rethinking Islam
Taqlid Versus Tajdid-A Malaysian Mufti on the Metholology of Islamic Reform

By Yoginder Sikand

The actual scope of the shariah in terms of enforceable law in Malaysia is strictly limited, mainly to family matters and to some crimes involving Muslims. In such matters, official muftis are supposed to issue opinions or fatwas in accordance with the established prescriptions of the Shafi' school, which is the school of jurisprudence followed by most Malaysian Muslims. In other words, they are generally expected to abide by taqlid of the Shafi' school. Yet, despite being the official Mufti of a Malaysian state, Zainul Abidin makes clear his uneasiness with the doctrine of rigid taqlid, presenting the concept of tajdid or renewal of the faith in its stead. In this way, he argues for reintroducing what he regards as the lost dynamism of Islamic jurisprudence in order to be able to suitably address new and rapidly social contexts and conditions. He may well be unique among the muftis of Malaysia in this regard, all of who are state-appointed. This is one reason why he is often quoted with approval by numerous 'progressive' Malaysian Muslim writers and activists.

http://newageislam.com/taqlid-versus-tajdid-a-malaysian-mufti-on-the-metholology-of-islamic-reform/ijtihad,-rethinking-islam/d/1717


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