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Moderate Muslim Beliefs, Ijtihad process of applying fresh interpretation to the Quran
The Arabic word ijtihad comes from "struggle," the same root as "jihad." Most historians agree that ijtihad was necessary in early Islam because society changed rapidly during the faith's rapid expansion in and outside Arabia, but the habit declined as Islam divided into sects and regional cultural practices. Other Islamic scholars believe the practice was only necessary in early Islam and should not have been attempted after that era...