The Shia Perspective on the Ijtihads of the Companions-May Allah Be Pleased with them- The Shura System during the Era of Umar: A Case Study

Abstract

This study examines the issue of Umar's (may Allah be pleased with him) implementation of the Shura (consultative) system from both Sunni and Shia perspectives. The study aims to highlight aspects of Umar's ijtihad (juridical reasoning) that Shia scholars criticize, while Sunnis regard it as a reformist approach aligned with the texts and objectives of Islamic law. The researcher adopts both historical and analytical methodologies to determine the most substantiated opinion based on textual evidence and legal principles. The study concludes that some of the criticisms leveled by Shia scholars against Umar's ijtihad are based on unverified claims, while others have supporting evidence from Islamic texts and objectives. The findings suggest that the core dispute between Sunnis and Shias over the legitimacy of Umar's initial establishment of the Shura revolves around its outcome-namely, the appointment of Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) as caliph. Had the succession instead passed to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), Umar's ijtihad might not have been subject to the same level of criticism.