Concepts of Ijtihad Bayani, Ta’lili, and Istislahi on Muhammadiyah and Qauli Approach to NU

Abstract

Ijtihad began to become a necessity to find certainty of Islamic law in the rapid pace of change and development of the times. Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) realized the importance of ijtihad in answering modern problems by being realized in the form of fatwa institutions. Muhammadiyah has a Tarjih Assembly, while NU founded Bahtsul Masail. These institutions have their own methods of performing crucially and influencing the legal decisions they determine. This is the reason for the need for research on the ijtihad method used by Muhammadiyah and NU. This study uses a descriptive and comparative methodology that describes the ijtihad method conducted by the Muhammadiyah Tarjih Assembly and Bahtsul Masail NU and then compares it. This research proves Muhammadiyah and NU have their own standards in doing ijtihad. Muhammadiyah and NU both conduct ijtihad collectively (jama'i). However, each has different methods and standards. Muhammadiyah uses the bayani methods, ta'lili, and istislahi. NU uses the qauli (opinion) approach of the previous scholars, although it does not close the opportunity to conduct ijtihad with the manhaji method. The use of Muhammadiyah and NU ijtihad methods is proven when each issues a product of Islamic law in the form of fatwas. This research is useful to help Muslims in understanding the fatwas decided by Muhammadiyah and NU.