One of the principal reasons for th

One of the principal reasons for the failure of Muslims to reconcile Islam and modernity is
that the process of ijtihadwas closed several centuries ago. However, the sacred texts of
Islam need to be interpreted in the light of contemporary realities and modern knowledge.
For ijtihadto be performed successfully in a society, democracy and freedom of expression
must prevail. While scholars of Islamic law clearly have very important roles to play in the
revived practice ofijtihad,they should not have exclusive responsibility over this practice.
Faithfulness to the text needs to be combined with creative imagination to produce the
most enlightened reinterpretations, suitable for the twenty-first century. Muslim scholars
and leaders in the United States and other Western societies have particular opportunities as well as a responsibility to lead a revival of ijtihad. Muslim scholars in the West
have the freedom to think creatively while still being faithful to the texts, and their new
interpretations could stimulate new thinking among the more traditional religious establishments in Muslim countries.