The Reason for the Madhhabs of the Four Imams

Question

Explain to us: the true religion, or madhhab, of the Noble Messenger ﷺ and his Companions was firmly established — so what should ours be? For Allah the Exalted says in His Glorious Word: [ar]يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ[/ar] “O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with the truthful” (Surah al-Tawba, 9:119). Ibn ‘Umar ﵁ says that by the truthful are meant Muhammad ﷺ and the Companions of Muhammad ﷺ.

Answer

The religion of Hazrat the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, of the noble Companions ﵃, and of the mujtahid imams — Imam Abu Hanifa, al-Shafi‘i, Malik and Ahmad ﵏ — is one and the same for all of them: Islam, which is pleasing to Allah the Exalted; this religion is complete and is a very great favour of Allah the Pure: [ar]ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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