Is there a difference between following an imam in the principles of his school and following him even in the branches of the school?
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The questioner : Yes, that is fine, O Shaykh.
Do you see a difference in adopting a school of jurisprudence, in following an imam in the principles of the school, between one who follows him even in the branches of the school?
The Shaykh : Of course there is a difference, but this difference is governed by the same principle, meaning that the principles must be studied based on the Book and the Sunnah themselves. However, without a doubt, there is a clear difference between following him in the principles and the branches, and limiting one’s following of him to the branches without the principles.
The questioner : I mean, did not the Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) and Ibn al-Qayyim follow this method?
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : In following the principles of the school.
The Shaykh : Yes, they followed this method, and that is why the difference appeared between what they held in dozens of issues and what the Hanbalis hold to this day.
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The questioner : For this reason, O Shaykh, Ibn Taymiyyah says in many instances, “The companions said,” or “Our companions said,” or “This is the view of the companions,” and so on, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Yes, indeed.
The Shaykh : Correct.
Do you see a difference in adopting a school of jurisprudence, in following an imam in the principles of the school, between one who follows him even in the branches of the school?
The Shaykh : Of course there is a difference, but this difference is governed by the same principle, meaning that the principles must be studied based on the Book and the Sunnah themselves. However, without a doubt, there is a clear difference between following him in the principles and the branches, and limiting one’s following of him to the branches without the principles.
The questioner : I mean, did not the Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) and Ibn al-Qayyim follow this method?
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : In following the principles of the school.
The Shaykh : Yes, they followed this method, and that is why the difference appeared between what they held in dozens of issues and what the Hanbalis hold to this day.
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The questioner : For this reason, O Shaykh, Ibn Taymiyyah says in many instances, “The companions said,” or “Our companions said,” or “This is the view of the companions,” and so on, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Yes, indeed.
The Shaykh : Correct.