What is the reason for the rigidity of the followers of Imam Ahmad and their failure to return to the principles?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah reward you. At one time, the jurists would look at the issue of Imam Ahmad; this indicates his statements, yet they do not return to the general texts of the Shari'ah or the statements of the Companions. Is this, Shaykh, in the era of the majority of the previous scholars... or the present time?
The Shaykh : No, Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) is known for following the athar (reports from the Companions or successors). In fact, he would return from his first opinion to a second, third, or fourth. If they deviated from him, it was because it would be an analogy based on what was known through the athar. It is possible that this is due to the fanaticism for the schools of jurisprudence that became prevalent in the middle ages, until some people would boycott others, and fighting might occur between them. So they studied jurisprudence according to the school of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) himself.
The questioner : What should be the school of jurisprudence for a student of knowledge?
The Shaykh : What should be done is to return to the Book and the Sunnah.
The questioner : Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : May Allah reward you. Some scholars said that it is permissible for the ruler to impose a discretionary punishment, even to the extent of killing, such as for one who sells his land or house to the disbelievers.
The Shaykh : This is a political issue.
The questioner : Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes
The Shaykh : No, Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) is known for following the athar (reports from the Companions or successors). In fact, he would return from his first opinion to a second, third, or fourth. If they deviated from him, it was because it would be an analogy based on what was known through the athar. It is possible that this is due to the fanaticism for the schools of jurisprudence that became prevalent in the middle ages, until some people would boycott others, and fighting might occur between them. So they studied jurisprudence according to the school of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) himself.
The questioner : What should be the school of jurisprudence for a student of knowledge?
The Shaykh : What should be done is to return to the Book and the Sunnah.
The questioner : Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : May Allah reward you. Some scholars said that it is permissible for the ruler to impose a discretionary punishment, even to the extent of killing, such as for one who sells his land or house to the disbelievers.
The Shaykh : This is a political issue.
The questioner : Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes