ijtihad
n 1: the endeavor of a Moslem scholar to derive a rule of divine
law from the Koran and Hadith without relying on the views
of other scholars; by the end of the 10th century
theologians decided that debate on such matters would be
closed and Muslim theology and law were frozen; "some
reform-minded Islamic scholars believe that reopening
ijtihad is a prerequisite for the survival of Islam"