ijtihad
/ɪdʒˈtɪhɑd/
noun
- In Islam, the use of independent reasoning to interpret religious law or make a legal decision, especially when the holy texts do not give a clear answer.
- The scholar used ijtihad to address a modern ethical issue not mentioned in the Quran.
- Her study of ijtihad showed how Muslim thinkers have debated legal questions for centuries.
- Many jurists believe ijtihad is necessary to adapt Islamic law to changing times.