The Ruling on Affiliation with the Schools of Jurisprudence and Taqlid (Following a Scholar Without Knowing His Evidence)

Question:
This is Ahmad Taj al-Din, a Sudanese resident in the Kingdom. He asks: Is it obligatory for a Muslim to affiliate with one of the Islamic schools of jurisprudence? What is the ruling on taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence) of the schools of jurisprudence, and also of individuals?

Answer:
The one who has the ability to know the ruling of the Shari'ah with its evidence does not follow anyone; he acts according to the evidence. As for the one who is unable to know the ruling with its evidence, he follows; he asks the people of knowledge and follows the one who issued the fatwa (scholarly legal ruling) for him. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: There is no doubt that following the four schools is more precise for the ignorant, the common person, and the beginner; it is more precise for them. So there is no harm in affiliating with one of the four schools, and whatever is difficult for him, he asks the people of knowledge about it. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you,