Ijtihaad
Independent reasoning and exertion to derive fresh judgement, especially in religious law.
Literally: From the root j-h-d, to exert oneself; striving of the intellect.
The exertion of independent legal-moral reasoning to derive rulings from the sources of Islam. Iqbal made the revival of ijtihad a central demand, calling it "the principle of movement in the structure of Islam." He argued that the long closure of the "gate of ijtihad" had frozen Muslim thought, and that each age — including a representative, consultative assembly — has the right and duty to rethink the law in the light of new conditions, against the inertia of blind taqleed.
Jidd-o-jahd
Strenuous struggle, hard sustained effort against obstacles.
Koshish
Effort, endeavour, the act of trying and exerting oneself.
Sa'i
Striving, exertion, earnest effort toward a goal.
Taqleed
Imitation, uncritical adherence to established authority or precedent.
Shariat
Islamic religious law derived from the Quran and the practice of the Prophet.
Millat
The community of faith; a people understood as one spiritual body.