The Proof of Personal Taqlid (Taqlid of One Imam)

Question

Is personal taqlid (taqlid of one imam) wajib or fard? Also, are there any Prophetic sayings [enjoining] the practice of taqlid, or not?

Answer

Personal taqlid is wajib, because the rulings of the Sacred Law (ahkam) are of two kinds: first, those established by a text (mansus); second, those not established by a text (ghayr mansus). Then, those established by a text are of two types: first, conflicting (muta‘arid); second, non-conflicting.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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