Question: Salaam! I am being told by Muslim friends that I need to follow a particular (Madhab) within the 4 schools of thought, otherwise I truly won't be considered a believer! Is this true? I find it hard to place myself in any particular group because they always seem to be attacking each other. Please advise me Shaykh. Wassalaam, Brother Idris (East London)

Answer: One must be very careful in declaring a Muslim as a non-believer or even as not a true believer over issues relating to Islam! I would like to start off by looking at the definition of Taqleed, i.e. following a certain Madhab. Literally, Taqleed is a verbal noun of the root 'Qa' 'la' 'da' in the second form. The verb Qalada means to place, to restrain or to adorn with a necklace. When used in conjunction with human beings, it refers to the wearing of a necklace, pendant or any other such similar ornament. Technically, the acceptance of a statement of someone without demanding proof or evidence on the belief that the statement is being made in accordance with fact and proof (from the Holy Qur'an and Ahadith) is called Taqleed. A beautiful verse in the Holy Qur'an says:

"We have not sent before thee but men whom We reveal to them. So ask the people of knowledge if you know not." (Holy Qur'an: An- Nahal: 43).

The understanding of this verse is further supported in the incident narrated by Hadhrat Jabir (Radi Allah Anho). Hadhrat Jabir (Radi Allah Anho) has narrated that one man suffered a wound to his head. Whilst sleeping, he had a wet dream. He asked the Sahaabahs if he could make Tayammum. They said that he had no excuse for not performing Ghusl. After performing Ghusl, the Sahaabah died. When the Holy Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad-ur Rasullullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was informed of the incident, He said:

"Verily, it was enough for him to have performed Tayammum, to have placed a piece of cloth on his head, which he should have then wiped and then for him to have washed the rest of his body." He (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) then said: "They (the companions) should ask if they do not know." (Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah & Ahmad)

Thus, the Holy Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad-ur Rasullullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) made it very clear to the companions that they should ask about the ruling if they are not aware of it.

The scholars of Islam say that the above Qur'anic command is the basis of Taqleed and therefore, the general principle of Taqleed is given special protection in the Holy Qur'an. Denial of this principle is, therefore, an act of kufr which expels the denier from the fold of Islam as to denying any verses of the Holy Qur'an.

Perhaps you will find certain groups such as Brelvis, Deobandis, Ahl ul Hadith arguing with each other, hence to add, quite wrongly, but, no Madhab attacks each other, but, to the contrary! We follow the Madhabs ( derived from an Arabic word meaning 'to go' or 'to take as a way', and refers to a Mujtahid's choice in regard to a number of interpretive possibilities in deriving the rule of Allah Taa'la from the primary texts of the Holy Qur'an and Ahadith on a particular question, and therefore, is not just thought of out of the blue as to say) of the four Imams, which were derived and extracted from the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah, at great pains and life time devotion by these gifted Imams; which means the Shari'ah teaches and shows us exactly how to obey Allah Taa'la and how to follow His Beloved Holy Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad-ur Rasullullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).

Of course, scholars can willingly look for Dalaail (evidence) as much as they want to and they will find plenty of Dalaail in the detailed works of all the Imams; actually it was their main purpose in life to compile a formidable collection of Dalaail for every conclusion they arrived at. I would recommend you read, 'THE LEGAL STATUS OF FOLLOWING A MADHAB' written and which has now been translated into English by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmani of Pakistan.

(VERILY, ALLAH TAA'LA IS ALL-KNOWING!)