Proofs for Taqleed (Following) a Math-hab

Q: Is it necessary to follow any one the Madhabs? If yes, what are the authenticated Hadheeth proofs?

A: Taqleed of one Alim or Imam can be proven from The Quran-e-Kareem, Ahadeeth of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), and practices of Sahaaba. We cite a few examples:

► Allah Ta'ala states in Surah Ambiyaa, verse 7: "And ask the People of the Book, if you have no knowledge" In this verse Allah Ta'ala commands those who have no knowledge of their Deen to ask those who are learned. This is exactly what taqleed is all about, the non-learned finding out from the learned.
► In Surah Luqman, Allah Ta'ala commands: "And follow the path of he who has turned to Me;" Further on in this treatise we will explain that a math-hab means a path or method of Fiqah. Indirectly, the above verse orders us to follow the 'math-hab' of people who made inaabat ilallah, i.e. turned to Allah in taqwa and good a'maal. Such virtue is not found more prominently in any besides the four great Imams of the past.
► In one hadith Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) commanded: "Speak about the Quran (only) that which you know. As for that which you do not know, leave it to the Alim of the Quran." (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh) The Messenger of Allah also commanded: "And grab hold of the guidance of Ibni Mas'ud ". (Ibid) These statements are clear instructions to make taqleed of one Alim.
► When Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (radhiyallahu anhu) took up temporary residence in Makka, most of the Muslims there made his taqleed in all laws of Shariah, and even gave preference to his fatwas over those of other Sahaaba-e-Kiraam (radhiyallahu anhum) who were permanent residents of Makka Mukarrama. (Al-Hujjatullahil Baaligha)
► When Muslims of Madinah came to Makka for hajj and were faced with a problem regarding the hajj of a woman in her menses, they acted on the fatwa of their Mufti, Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit (radhiyallahu anhu). Meanwhile, the ruling issued by Hazrat Ibni Abbas on the same issue differed with the fatwa of Zaid bin Thaabit, yet the people of Madinah made taqleed of the latter. (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

These few examples provide irrefutable evidence that taqleed-e-shakhsi, which is the following of one Alim or Imam, is an indispensable part of Shariah.
Ulema of the past two centuries are unanimous that taqleed of a math-hab is wajib, because without following a math-hab one cannot truly practice on one's religion.

Issued by:
Mufti Siraj Desai