The Muhammadan Message is presented here as both final and universal, because its structure is built on fixed, decisive principles and variable elaboration. This makes it suitable for renewed ijtihad within its bounds, not for the rigidity of traditional jurisprudence.
- The verses of elaboration construct the rulings of the Message
- The Mother of the Book is the foundation of the Muhammadan Message
- Ijtihad pertains to the decisive verses
- Rational interpretation rebuilds the unseen and religion on the basis of freedom and knowledge
- Boundary-based legislation makes application variable within the constants of the Mother of the Book
- The distinction between the decisive and the elaborative
- The distinction between the decisive and the ambiguous systematically distributes ijtihad and interpretation
- Religion is a free relationship with God that distinguishes between the historical message and value commitment
- The Muhammadan Message is boundary-based and universal
- Rituals fall within elaboration
- The Qur’an is structurally reclassified
- The Book and the Qur’an are distinct
Cross-book concept: See Islam for the unifying axis across the books.