اجتہاد نبوی صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم کی تشریعی حیثیت

The Legislative Status of Prophetic Ijtihād (Peace Be Upon Him)

Abstract

This research explores the legislative status of Ijtihād Nabawi (Prophetic Ijtihād) in the framework of Islamic law, highlighting its significance as a source of guidance for the Muslim Ummah. The concept of ijtihād, generally defined as the exertion of intellectual effort to derive legal rulings from the Qur’an and Sunnah, takes on a unique dimension when associated with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Unlike the ijtihād of later jurists, Prophetic ijtihād holds an unparalleled position due to the Prophet’s status as the recipient of divine revelation and his role as the supreme interpreter of Shariah. The study examines classical scholarly debates on whether the Prophet ﷺ engaged in ijtihād independent of direct revelation, and if so, the extent to which such ijtihād was subject to divine endorsement or correction. Qur’anic evidence, such as instances where the Prophet’s decisions were later confirmed or adjusted by revelation, is analyzed to assess the harmony between human reasoning and divine guidance in Prophetic practice. Furthermore, this paper explores the jurisprudential implications of Prophetic ijtihād for contemporary Muslim societies, particularly in addressing novel legal and ethical challenges. By distinguishing between Prophetic actions based on revelation, personal judgment, and contextual considerations, the study clarifies the binding nature of these precedents in Islamic law. Ultimately, the research concludes that Prophetic ijtihād, while always in alignment with divine will, serves as a model of dynamic reasoning that bridges revelation with practical realities, offering enduring principles for Islamic jurisprudence.