The Ruling on Taqlid (Following a Scholar Without Knowing His Evidence) for the Layperson and the Mujtahid (A Scholar Qualified to Derive Rulings)

Question:
The questioner asks: What is your opinion regarding the one who says that taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence) is haram (forbidden) or not permissible absolutely?

Answer:
So, there is no fixed rule; taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence) is obligatory at times and occurs at other times. It is obligatory for the layperson and the beginner who does not know the Islamic legal rulings to ask the scholars of knowledge and follow their opinion; this is taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence). It is obligatory for him to ask and act according to the answer the scholar gives him; this is taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence). As for the one for whom taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence) is haram (forbidden), it is the mujtahid (a scholar qualified to derive rulings) who is capable of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning), in whom the conditions of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) are present, such as the four Imams and those before them, and whoever has attained their level in knowledge. It is not permissible for him to follow [others]; he must seek the Islamic legal ruling himself from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). They said: except if time is constrained. If time is constrained for him and he is unable to research, it is permissible for him to follow [a scholar] to the extent of necessity. So we know that taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence) is sometimes obligatory for the layperson and the beginner who does not know the Islamic legal rulings; he asks the scholars of knowledge and follows them. Second, taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence) is haram (forbidden) for the one who is capable of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) because the conditions of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) mentioned by the scholars of usul al-fiqh (the principles of jurisprudence) for the mujtahid (a scholar qualified to derive rulings) are present in him. If they are present in him, he must research himself and not follow [others]. But if time is constrained for him and he is unable to research, it is permissible for him to follow one of the Imams out of necessity. Yes.