Re: Reasons behind the current misery of Muslim world: Dr Ataul Rehman, Dr Mehdi Hassan
Thanks moazz for posting here.
This gentleman Dr. Mehdi Hassan is amazingly brilliant. Who is he?. What does word " Taqleed" means, from the conversation it appears it means " Literal" anyone knows.
Is the word " Taqleed opposite of Independent thinking
I like this scholar Mr. Ghamdi.
Good program.
After the death of Holy Prophet (PBUH), majority of his companions(RAH) knew Quran, Hadith(Sayings of the Prophet PBUH) and they had seen how Holy Prophet (PBUH) ordered in different situations, therefore there was not an imminent need of compilation of all the laws of Islam in the form of a book. However, in the successive years, first Quran was compiled in the form of a book, then Hadith was compiled. Nearly 150-200 yrs after the death of Holy Prophet (PBUH), Islamic scholars deemed it necessary to compile all the laws of Islam in the form of a book. There were five such Imams who independently compiled such 5 books (or 5 fiqhs ie Beliefs, Principles and Laws of Islam). The criteria for such compilation were the same for all these imams ie
1- First source was Quran. For a particular problem or situation, if there was a clear order or solution in Quran, it was preferred above all.
2- If there was not a clear order from Quran, then they looked for it in Hadith.
3- If there was not a clear order in Quran, Hadith or Sunnah(Documented actions of Holy Prophet PBUH), then they sought the solution from the documented actions of companions(RAH) of Holy Prophet(PBUH).
4- If there was not a clear order from all above sources, then they thought themselves with logic and reasoning, keeping in mind that the resultant decree must not violate any basic principles of Islam. It is called Ijtihaad.
Now, in today`s world, as most of the daily life problems are the same as 1200 yrs ago, therefore Muslims who act upon the laws of those imams and dont question anything, it is called Taqleed.
And, in contrast to such ppl, there are others who dont follow such rules blindly, but they see the intent and reason of the Imams behind those 1200 yr old laws, incorporate current conditions of society and then improvise them acc to the intent(But the resulting decree should not violate any basic principles of Islam). It is called independent interpretation.
I hope that i have explained it well.