1 – Al-Ijtihaad is the exertion of (capable) effort to deduce the practical Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah from its detailed evidences, whilst At-Taqleed is following the opinion of someone else in relation to the practical Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah.

2 – Al-Ijtihaad is the Asl (original position) and Allah has placed reward upon its undertaking; two rewards for the one who is correct in his Ijtihaad and one reward for the one who is incorrect. That is whilst At-Taqleed is not commended by the Shar’a, it has not been commanded by Allah and reward has not been placed upon it.

3 – Al-Ijtihaad is a Fard Kifaayah upon the Muslims and it is not permitted for an era to not have at least one Mujtahid within it. That is whilst At-Taqleed has not been commanded and it is more appropriate for its occurrence to be less or for it to happen little amongst the Muslims.

4 – Ijtihaad does not take place in the Aqaa’id (beliefs) because its evidences are Qat’iy Ad-Dalaalah (in indication and meaning) and it is Haraam to make Taqleed in respect to them. It is however permitted to perform Ijtihaad and Taqleed in respect to the Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah.