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ijtihad

American  
[ij-ti-hahd] / ˌɪdʒ tɪˈhɑd /

noun

  1. (in Islamic law) the use of reason to arrive at a knowledge of truth in religious matters.


Etymology

Origin of ijtihad

From Arabic


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He possessed the foundational knowledge of Islam without the advanced and independent reasoning – ijtihad – required for an ayatollah.

From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2026

But their efforts were increasingly disapproved of, and now it is widely held among orthodox Sunnis that interpretation is no longer permitted - or, as the saying goes, "the gate of ijtihad is closed".

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2015

I propose naming a new one after ijtihad, the concept of critical thinking, and elevating self-examination over toxic shame-based discourse, laws and rules.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 16, 2015

They even depend on traditional Islamic principles such as ijtihad to, some may say, do away with other traditional Islamic principles.

From Time ● Apr. 16, 2014

The commission appealed to the right of ijtihad, or exercise of individual judgment within the broad framework of the revealed word.

From Time Magazine Archive

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