Must the Spiritual Guide and Disciple Follow the Same Imam?

Question

Is it necessary for the spiritual guide and the disciple to follow (taqlid) the same imam, or may they follow different imams?

Answer

Bay‘ah (allegiance) is taken for the reformation of the inward self and the purification of the soul. In matters of fiqh, even if the spiritual guide and the disciple follow different imams, there is no harm in it; if there is sincerity (ikhlas) between the two, benefit will still be attained.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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