The Secular Environment and its Impact on Interpretation

The Islam is the call to renewal (tajdīd) and intellectual diligence (ijtihād) and the rejection of stagnation and rigidity. Islamic law lacks regulations upon new developments, it is also open to development and influx of scientific knowledge since it is intrinsically manifest to the development of the world of material and intellectual progress. It has the ability to offer remedies to all arising problems. Thus, the pursuit of renewal and innovation has become an imperative obligation in the contemporary world to keep up with the current trends.
The compatibility of Islam with everything new is a hallmark of this religion. This flexibility is the basic factor that has guaranteed the liveliness and persistence of the religion at all times and locations. In addition, it forms the most sound method of achieving the higher aims (maqāṣid) of the Islamic law, and achieving the good of humankind. According to the classical scholars, rulings of law (fatwas) should change according to the change of time, place, custom, and circumstance. The Sharia was also revealed to safeguard the fundamental pillars of human existence religion, life, property, intellect and honor and to encourage justice and prosperity of people.
One of the peculiarities of Islam is the renewal of the interpretation of the texts of the Quran in the manner that is consistent with the lived realities of modern society. It is an all rounded and ideal religion that considers diversity of human conditions, environment, custom and tradition. Such inclusiveness and harmony with any situation have guaranteed its survival and further dispersion through dissimilar communities Arab and non-Arab, urban and rural, settled and nomadic.