Is a Hanafi’s Acting upon Someone Else’s Opinion Contrary to Taqlid

Question

What is the definition of taqlid? If [a Hanafi] acts upon the opinion of Imam Abu Yusuf ﵀ and Imam Zufar ﵀, will he still remain a Hanafi in that case? And, in case of need, upon the opinion of the Shafi‘is and the Malikis (for example, in the issue of the missing person (mafqud)) — will he remain a Hanafi or not, seeing that he is acting upon the opinion of another imam?

Answer

For a non-mujtahid to adopt the saying of a mujtahid, relying on the fact that he possesses its proof, and not to demand the proof from him — this is taqlid. Whoever accepts the principles (usul) of Imam A‘zam ﵀, which his pupils set out in detail and from which the rulings (masa’il)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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