The Ruling on Taqlid in Matters of Creed
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Is taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence) permissible in matters of creed, or is it necessary to take hold of the evidence?
Taqlid is permissible in matters of creed regarding what one is unable to know through evidence. For this reason, we see that the common people today all follow scholars.Rather, Allah the Exalted said: [al-Nahl:43] Our asking the people of knowledge about these messengers means that we follow the one asked and accept his statement. Thus, taqlid in creedal issues is exactly like taqlid in practical issues, with no difference. Therefore, the one who is unable to reach the truth by himself has an obligation to follow scholars [al-Nahl:43].
As for the one who said: The faith of the one who follows scholars without evidence is not valid.
So the implication of His saying: The faith of the common people is not valid; because they have only built their faith upon taqlid, saying that their scholars said so and so.
Taqlid is permissible in matters of creed regarding what one is unable to know through evidence. For this reason, we see that the common people today all follow scholars.Rather, Allah the Exalted said:
And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالاً نُوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ فَاسْأَلوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَSo ask the people of the message if you do not know.
فَاسْأَلوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَAs for the one who said: The faith of the one who follows scholars without evidence is not valid.
So the implication of His saying: The faith of the common people is not valid; because they have only built their faith upon taqlid, saying that their scholars said so and so.