The Proof of Taqlid and the Imamate of One Who Does Not Follow Taqlid

Question

1. If a Muslim acts in accordance with the Qur’an and the Hadith but does not follow (do taqlid of) the madhhab of any of the four imams, is such a person one of the people of Paradise, one of the people of Hell, or misguided? 2. For four hundred years after the passing of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, did the Muslims follow any one madhhab of the four madhhabs or not? 3. Will prayer behind those who do not follow taqlid and people without a madhhab (la-madhhab)

Answer

1. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, said: [ar]فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ[/ar] “…so ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know” (Surah al-Nahl, 16:43). And He said: [ar]وَٱتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَىَّ[/ar] “…and follow the path of him who turns to Me” (Surah Luqman, 31:15).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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