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SOME religious scholars believe that whatever had been decreed in Islam up to the 12th century was complete and no further thought needed to be applied. This is especially true of most scholars who follow the Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali and Shafi’i schools of thought. It is assumed that the doors to further analysis of fiqh or Islamic jurisprudence have been closed.
It is a pity that the rapidity with which societies have evolved and the changes in economic, social and political conditions that have taken place have not motivated most Islamic scholars to take a fresh look at the needs of Muslims today. Barring a few scholars such as Dr Khaled Abou el Fadl (who has been very vocal about the Arab response to the Iran war), hardly anyone speaks of current issues and the Muslim response. Many Shia scholars, on the other hand, are relatively open to questioning earlier rulings and to seeking solutions to new problems in light of the basic principles of Islam.
One key issue is the recycling of resources. Is it not the need of the day that Muslim scholars look at the wastage of the planet’s finite resources and enter the debate on waste recycling and disposal? I wonder what instructions the Prophet (PBUH) would have given regarding the matter. Would it have been declared a religious duty of Muslims to recycle whatever they use?
