The Approved and Disapproved Varieties of Ra’y (Personal Opinion) In Islam

Abstract

While Islam emphasizes conformity to the directives of the Qur’an andSunnah, one finds in the same sources a parallel emphasis on rational inquiry,exercise of personal opinion, and judgment. This essay looks into the evidencein support of this statement and the extent to which Islam validates the freedomto formulate and express an opinioq. It also examines the methodology andcriteria that ascertain the validity of personal opinion and distinguishs theacceptable ra’y from that which is not tolerated. This essay also highlightshow the detailed classification of ra’y by the ‘Ulama reflects a concern forlatitude and tolerance on the one hand, balanced on the other by respectfor recognized authority and values which are deemed essential to Islam.Freedom to express an opinion is probably the most important aspectof the freedom of speech, which also comprises such other varieties of speechas a simple narration of facts, comedy, and fiction. To express an opinionon a matter implies a level of involvement, commitment, and competencewhich may or may not be present in the factual narration of an event. Thismay partly explain why the phrase hurriyah al-ra'y), (literally, freedom ofopinion) is used in the Islamic scholastic tradition for freedom of speech,in preference to hurriyah al-qawl, the more precise equivalent of “freedomof speech.” That scholars and jurists have consistently used hurriyah al-ra'yfor freedom of speech perhaps signifies that ra'y, or personal opinion, isthe most important aspect of this freedom.Ra ’y has three main classifications -praiseworthy, blameworthy, anddoubtful personal opinion-which are further subdivided. The main varietiesof praiseworthy opinion to be discussed here are ra'y, that elaborates the Qur‘anand Sunnah, the opinions of the Companions, ra'y that consists of ijtihad,and ra’y that is arrived at as a result of consultation. Blameworthy opinionis also divided into three types, namely bid‘ah (pernicious innovation), hawa(caprice), and baghy (transgression). And, lastly, ra'y, that is the subject ofdoubt (ra'y fi mawdi‘ al-ishtibah) does not lend itself to classification or ...