Sectarianism in the Schools of Jurisprudence and Following One of the Four Schools

Question:
The questioner asks: What is your view on the sectarianism of some people toward some of the four schools of jurisprudence? Is a person free to adopt one of these schools? Or is it obligatory for him to follow one of the schools? And is a person free to…

Answer:
This, this we have explained. We have explained it and said that sectarianism is not permissible; sectarianism is not permissible, for the word of no one is to be followed except the word of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), because there is no . As for the word of other scholars, it has its due of respect, but one looks at its evidence. One looks at what its evidence is. If it has evidence from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, then it is adopted. If it has no evidence, it is left, even if so-and-so said it. Or if it contradicts the evidence, it is left, even if so-and-so said it. The Imams advise this. Imam Malik says: We are all one who rejects and one who is rejected, except the one in this grave, meaning the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Al-Shafi'i says: If my saying contradicts the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), . They advise that evidence is to be adopted, and their sayings are not to be adopted as mere sayings until they are presented to the evidence. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.