Following a scholar without knowing his evidence is not absolutely forbidden
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Following a scholar without knowing his evidence is not absolutely forbidden
Question: Must a person necessarily follow one school of jurisprudence in all matters of his worship, or is there no obligation on him if he takes from some or all of the schools what he considers to be more rewarding, or easier for his religion and his worldly affairs?
Answer: This varies according to the people. The layperson and the beginner in learning, these are the ones who have no choice but to follow a scholar they trust in his knowledge and his scrupulousness from among the scholars. They should follow one of the four schools of jurisprudence, which are the schools of the people of the Sunnah and the community.
As for the student who has the ability to distinguish the stronger position from the weaker position among the statements of the scholars, it is obligatory for him to take what is supported by evidence from the statements of the four imams and others. It is obligatory for him to act according to the evidence, because he has the ability to do so. People differ in this matter; they are not all on the same level. Therefore, following a scholar without knowing his evidence is not absolutely forbidden, nor is it absolutely obligatory. Rather, each person is according to his own condition.And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Surat al-Anbiya: 7], provided that it is not permissible for a person to take from the statements of the scholars what agrees with his desire or the wish of his soul, so that he follows dispensations and follows easy statements that have no evidence for them, because they suit his desire and his wish. This is not permissible. Rather, he should choose from the statements of the scholars what is supported by evidence, if he has the qualification for that.
Question: Must a person necessarily follow one school of jurisprudence in all matters of his worship, or is there no obligation on him if he takes from some or all of the schools what he considers to be more rewarding, or easier for his religion and his worldly affairs?
Answer: This varies according to the people. The layperson and the beginner in learning, these are the ones who have no choice but to follow a scholar they trust in his knowledge and his scrupulousness from among the scholars. They should follow one of the four schools of jurisprudence, which are the schools of the people of the Sunnah and the community.
As for the student who has the ability to distinguish the stronger position from the weaker position among the statements of the scholars, it is obligatory for him to take what is supported by evidence from the statements of the four imams and others. It is obligatory for him to act according to the evidence, because he has the ability to do so. People differ in this matter; they are not all on the same level. Therefore, following a scholar without knowing his evidence is not absolutely forbidden, nor is it absolutely obligatory. Rather, each person is according to his own condition.And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: