Following a Mazhab

by Sheikh Muhammad Sultan Al-Ma'soomi Al-Khajnadee

Different Mazahib are personal and private opinions, judgements and interpretations of legal points according to religious scholars and jurists. Allah and the Prophet have not ordered us to follow these opinions and interpretations. There is a possibility of being correct or incorrect in their opinions and interpretations. There are many issues on which Imams had different views and they explained them according to their own reasons and speculations. But when the truth came to their knowledge, they reconsidered their own opinion and accepted the truth. They never stuck to their opinion when a true Hadith came to their knowledge.

If anyone accepts Islam, he has only to testify that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad (s.a.w) is His messenger, to perform the prayers five times a day, to pay Zakat, to fast in the month of Ramadan and to make the pilgrimage to the House of Allah (the Kabah) if he is able to do so. It is certainly not necessary for him to follow any Mazhab i.e. Hanafi, Shafi, Maliki or Hanbali. If he does so, in the eyes of Islamic law, he will be considered a wrongdoer, prejudiced and sinful person, and will be treated among those who divided the religion of Islam into different sects. Allah has strongly condemned those who create dissension in Islam. The Quran says:

" Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you
(O Muhammad s.a.w) have no concern in them in the least ..." [6:159]

At another place The Quran says

" And be not of Al-Mushrikun of those who split up their religion and became sects, each sect rejoicing in that which is with it " [30: 31,32]

In the light of the above quoted verses from the Noble Quran it is clear that there is no place for different Mazahib and sects in Islam and it is not obligatory to follow anyone of these Mazahib or sects. What is worth following is the way of the Prophet, as stated in the Noble Quran.

" Say: (O Muhammad s.a.w) This is my way, I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah). And Glorified and Exalted is Allah. And I am not of those who set up partners to Allah " [12:108]

It is a fact that the followers of different Mazahib are always at odds with each other and the result of this confrontation is clearly stated in the Noble Quran.

" And do not dispute lest you lose courage and your strength depart,
and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient " [8:46]

On the contrary it has been advised to create the atmosphere of unity among themselves and to hold fast the rope of Allah as prescribed in the Noble Quran.

" And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah
and be not divided among yourselves " [3:103]

Real Foundations of Islam

Real and true Islam is based on the Book (Quran) and the Prophet's Sunnah. These two are the true sources of reference and precedent in each and every controversial issue. Anyone who tries to find the solution of the disputed issue in some other source except Quran the Sunnah, according to Quran, is not a true believer.

" But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith until they make you (Muhammad s.a.w) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decision, and accept (them) with full submission " [4:65]

None of the Imams urged anyone to follow their Mazhab, on the other hand all of the Imams advised,

" Take from where we have taken "

In other words follow the Quran and Sunnah. Many of the sayings of late religious leaders, which were inaccurate, were attributed towards Imams and their Mazhabs. If they had happened to see or hear those statements which had been referred and attached to their names, they would have not only disowned the statements but also disapproved of them strongly.

All the religious scholars of olden times who were considered to be the luminaries of Islamic knowledge, always brought evidence from the Quran and Sunnah, and they always urged people to follow the Quran and Sunnah, and to take counsel from these two sources. It is a proved fact that Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafe'i, Imam Ahmad, Sufyan Thauri, Sufyan bin Uainah, Hasan Basari, Qazi Abu Yousuf, Muhammad bin Hasan Shaibani, Imam Auzai, Abdullah bin Mubarak, Imam Bukhari, Imam Mulsim and other venerable religious scholars always warned the people against making innovations in religious matters. They always advised people to be careful and cautioned them against following anyone except the sinless Prophet -- no one is sinless except him, no matter how pious and God fearing he may be. So anything which is in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah is acceptable and anything contrary to or inconsistent with the Quran and Sunnah will be rejected altogether.

Imam Malik said:

" The views and opinions of everybody may be accepted or rejected except his who is resting in this grave. While saying this, Imam Malik pointed towards the grave of the Prophet "

All the religious scholars and Imams warned and prevented the people from mindless and blind imitation. Allah at many places in the Noble Quran has rebuked such blind followers. History is witness that mindless and blind following of religious leaders and ancestors leads the people to infidelity.

All of the four prevalent Imams have said that it is neither permissible nor justified to give a judicial verdict based on their word or deed unless the reason behind that particular word or deed is understood clearly and completely. They have also elucidated,

" If an authentic Hadith is found, then that is my Mazhab "

This means that, if an authentic Hadith is found, their word is repealed at once and has no significance before the Hadith, and their faith is completely in accordance with that Hadith. Likewise it is also expressed from the four Imams:

" Judge our words on the criterion of Quran and Sunnah, and if you find our words corresponding to the Quran and Sunnah, then accept them, otherwise turn them down "

Blind Following: Foolery of The So-Called Scholars

Later religious leaders and intellectuals wrote volumes over volumes and thousands of pages and the masses took those writers as Jurists, whereas their knowledge about Islam was shallow. These so called scholars made it incumbent on people to follow one of the four Imams and prohibited them from following another at the same time. In other words they raised up the Imams to the level of the Prophets to whom scriptures are revealed and made it obligatory to obey every word of the Imam. Would that these so-called scholars had understood the preaching of the Imams. Most of them only know the name of their Imam and nothing more than that.

Even more strange is that a few of the later scholars contrived some issues and attributed these issues to one of the Imams, and succeeding generations too took the concocted issues as Imams' verdicts and started following them without any verification, whereas there is no relevancy between Imams viewpoints and these innovated isues. So, Imams are free from such precepts, for example many of the later Hanafites (follower of Imam Abu Hanifah) argue that raising the forefinger of the right hand at Tashahhud is forbidden, or that (Allah's hand) means Divine Power and Divine blessings, or that Allah is not above the Arsh(Throne) but is omnipresent in Himself.

Ultimately these very conditions and circumstances vitiated the Muslim Ummah, spoiled their unity, and brought their downfall and misery. The Muslim Ummah is so badly disorganised that it is almost inconceivable to see them again on one platform. This confusion and chaos gave way to abomination, hatred, enmity and hostility. Disunity poisoned the whole Ummah. Each individual is accusing the other of being an innovator in matters of religion. One group is blaming the other for a very small and ordinary difference, so much so that one does not hesitate to say infidel and disbeliever to another Muslim. This issue of disunity among the Muslim Ummah grew so much that various sects are always at confrontation with each other.

The entire Muslim Ummah is divided into different sects, one is called "Rafdi" and the other is called "Khariji". Still others call themselves "Shiah" some are "Zaidi" and some are "Zahari", still others are named "Batini" and "Ismaili". Likewise there are "Sunni, Maturidi, Ashari, Shafis, Maliki, Hanbali, Hanafi" etc, there are many more sects in existence. Every sect condemns the others in foul and abusive language. Everybody claims, " Our faith and our views are the best and the rest is rubbish ".

Hanafi took Shafi as his rival and vice versa. Sometimes the followers of the same sect are bitter opponents and fight with each other as they are fighting against non Muslims. For example, "Hanafi Barailvi" is harsh against "Hanafi Deobandi". Most of these sects are under the influence of various philosophies and customs. These customs and philosophies entered into these sects from the Greeks, Guehers, Buddhists, Idolaters and from Hindu cults and astrologers. For instance, to have faith in evil spirits and bedevilment, and also to make a vow to escape from their harm and mischief, building of tombs and sepulchre on graves, circumambulation of graves and making supplications to them, etc.

These strange beliefs and fallacious customs and creeds entered the Muslim community with those who believed in them before entering the citadel of Islam. They accepted Islam but they could not abandon their previous habits, customs, and beliefs completely and with the passage of time these ills penetrated the Muslim population. When Islamic conquest was in progress and innumerable multitudes of people embraced Islam, there were many among those whose faith was no more than a verbal utterance.

Transfer of these diseased ideas into the Islamic community is also a heinous deed of hypocrites who took shelter in the citadel of Islam, because they had no other way to save themselves. The progress of Islam was intolerable for them. Under the cover of Islam, these clever cheats injected the poison of false beliefs into the pristine purity of Islam. They worked slowly and secretly to sabotage the pure Islamic faith, until they succeeded. They polluted the Islamic faith with un-Islamic viewpoints. Practical life force withered away from Islam. Victorious advancements of Islam came to standstill. Practice of the commands of the Noble Quran was discontinued. Recitation of the Noble Quran was limited to special occasions only.

Witness from History

History is witness that when the Muslims practised Islam in its true sense. They were successful in every walk of life. The Muslim Ummah was the master of the world. Muslims had power and authority, wherever they went success kissed their feet. Because they lived according to the basic principles of Islam taught by the Prophet. Islam ran in their veins with their blood. Whenever they went with the radiant message of Islam they acclaimed the favor of the masses. Every step of theirs was in the way of Allah. Who granted them victory. Splendid and noteworthy examples of Khulafa ur Rashidun (the rightly guided Caliphs) and the Companions of the Prophet are many. When the Muslims infringed the orders of Allah and changed the meanings of His commands, favor and grace of Allah also ended. Power, authority and dignity were shifted to others.

Many changes and alterations were brought against the religion of Islam, among these innovations was a requirement to follow a particular Mazhab and to support it fanatically. These Mazahib developed in Islam after a lapse for three generations i.e. venerable Companions who had the good fortune to have seen and heard the Prophet, followers of the Companions and those who followed them. Every new thing introduced in the religion was considered as good thing and deserving reward on the Day of Resurrection. In reality, this is nothing but deviation and heresy. Righteous and pious Muslims of the early period always depended upon the Noble Quran, Sunnah and the Ijma (consensus). They were devoted, faithful and steadfast in the practice of pure Islam.

When heresy was born in religion many evils and wrong doings started. An atmosphere of disunity, accusing and blaming each other, prevailed all over the Ummah. Every sect accused the other of straying from the right path of Islam. Even it was announced, and such a base verdict was issued, that no Hanafi could offer his obligatory prayer under the leadership of Imam Shafi or his followers. Some claimed that only four Mazahib (followers of four sects) are Ahlus sunnah or Sunni. As a consequence of this heresy, four different places were fixed for the Salat of four Mazahib at the sacred Kabah, and instead of one congregational prayer four congregational prayers were offered at the Kabah itself. Followers of every Mazhab would wait for their Imam to come and lead the prayer. By giving rise to heresy, apostasy and innovations in religion, Satan achieved his main purpose of creating disunity in the ranks of the faithful and dividing the Muslim Ummah into different sects. (we seek refuge with Allah from this).

Interrogations in The Grave

O brethern in Islam! Be impartial and tell me in the name of Allah, when a person passes away from this world and he is buried, what sort of questions would be asked from him in the grave and what interrogations would be made on the Day of Judgement. He will not be asked about the Mazhab he followed or did not follow. Blind faith in a particular Imam and following him strictly without evidence is like taking rabbis and monks to be lords. Moreover, to adhere to one sect and particular Mazhab is a heresy and every heresy leads away from Islam. As a matter of fact, after death interrogations will be made about Iman (faith) and about the demands and requirements of faith. It is obvious that to be devoted and loyal to a fixed sect, and particularly to be a follower of a certain Imam, is not a demand of Iman. Iman (faith) demands knowledge about religious matters. If any issue or problem is doubtful or uncertain, it ought to be brought to the attention of scholars and judged on the criterion of the Quran and Sunnah. This is true, simple and plain Islam which was revealed to the Prophet.

Brothers! The religion you have given up is still calling you back. It is time to return to pure religion, come back to the faith of the Prophet. Enlighten your way with the light of the Quran and Sunnah, act upon the principles of Islam as our ancestors did. This is the only way which can save us from destruction and can return to Tawheed (oneness of Allah), worship Him alone, none except Him is worthy of worship, seek His favour and help, and be afraid of Him only, consider every Muslim as your brother and wish for him the same as you like for yourself. Imam Tirmidhi has quoted a Hadith in his Sunan on the authority of Irbad bin Sariyah, and this Hadith should be enough for your guidance and warning:

" One day Allah's Messenger gave us a lengthy exhortation after the Fajr Prayer which brought tears to the eye terror to the heart. A man said O Allah's Messenger It seems as if it was a farewell exhortation, then what injunction do you give us? He then said I enjoin you to fear Allah, and to hear and obey even if it be an Abysinian slave, for those of you who live after me will see great disagreement. You must then follow my Sunnah and that of the rightly guided Caliphs. Hold fast to it. Avoid novelties, for they are error "

Imam Tirmidhi grades this Hadith Sahih. This Hadith is also present in Sunan of Abu Dawud.

If this is the reality which has been mentioned above, then it is our foremost duty to avoid stubbornly following one particular Imam and his Mazhab. Concerning various religious matters, if anyone follows strictly one particular Mazhab, sect or person, surely he will not act upon many hadith, rather there is possibility of going against many of the Hadith of the Prophet. Going against hadith is infidelity and faithlessness. That is why many Hanafi scholars have made it clear that it is not necessary to follow one particular sect. Kamal bin Hamam wrote in his book entitled "Al-Tahreer" and Ibn abdeen Ash Shami wrote in his book "Awail Radd Al-Mukhtar" that the authenticity of the statement concerning the following of one special sect or Mazhab is doubtful.

Secret Behind The Blind Following

The idea behind 'Blind Following' is an open secret. It depends on personal, political and selfish interests of individuals. It is our duty to dig out the truth and act upon it accordingly. The only religion we ought to follow is the religion revealed to Allah's Messenger. It is obligatory to understand this religion thoroughly and clearly and act upon it sincerely. Allah's Messenger is the only and exclusive Imam, whose following is a must for us. We should also follow Khufala ur Rashidun the rightly guided Caliphs. Allah has ordered:

" And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad s.a.w) gives you, take it,
and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) [59:7]

Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik and no other Imam, have ever urged people to go along with their ideas or act upon their verdicts or sayings. None of them ever compelled anybody to adopt their way. They always clarified their position by saying,

" If a Sahih hadith is found, our opinion is nullified at once
and our faith is according to the hadith "

The first two Caliphs of Islam Abu Bakr and Umar never asked the people to act upon their words or sayings, on the other hand they always expressed that if they uttered any word or tried to act contrary to the Quran and Sunnah, people were allowed to take them to task. In fact they discarded everything which was not in agreement with the Quran and Sunnah. If this is the fact of the situation, then how did these various sects come into being? What were the factors which gave rise to them? What were the reasons which restrained the people from logical thinking? Who put the fetters of Mazahib in the face of Muslim Ummah? How were the seeds of disunity sown in the Ummah?

Research proves that these Mazahib and sects were propagated by power hungry rulers with the help of knavish scholars. This is how the Muslim Ummah was disunited and sects were initiated in interest of these power-mongers.

Causes of Spreading of Mazahib

I present some causes of the spread of sectarianism for wise and prudent people. So they may take a warning and advice. Ahmad bin Muhammad Muqri writes in his famous book, "Nafhut Tib Min Ghusnil-Andalusir Rateeb (2/158)", previously the people of Morocco, Syria and Andalus followed the method of Imam Auzai but afterwards they adopted the method of Imam Malik because Hadam bin Hisham bin Abdur Rahman al-Dakhil, the third Omayyah ruler of Andalus, ordered them to pass judgements according to the views and words of Imam Malik and people of Madinah. This had happened on political considerations by the orders of Hakam. What were those political ends, people have a difference of opinion about it.

Some say that a group of scholars visited Madinah, on their return to Andalus, they praised the dignity and applauded the scholarship of Imam Malik. People of Andalus acknowledged the greatness of Imam Malik and accepted his faith. Some others have another view. They say once Imam Malik asked a person from Andalus about character and conduct of their ruler. He praised the ruler and spoke good of him. Imam Malik admired the ruler of Andalus and said, "May your ruler take over the charge of our Haram and may Allah bless him." In those days the reputation of Bani Abbas was not good. The man narrated this incident to Hakam. He urged the people of Andalus to adopt the Mazhab of Imam Malik and leave that of Imam Auzai. The people of Andalus already had a liking for Imam Malik so they adopted his Mazhab (Allah knows best).

This is also to be kept in view that affluent and influential people of Morocco had an agreement to implement the Mazhab of Ibn Qasim and pass judgements accordingly. In a nutshell it can be said that these sects, Mazahib and creeds are part of politics of rulers, leaders and politicians. If you wish to know the reasons and causes of expansion of sects, study "Muqaddimah of Ibn Khaldun". He has discussed the cases in detail and has inferred that selfish, greedy impostors, and cunning politicians are the cause of the spread of Mazahib.

Ibn al-Qayyim in "Ighthatul Lahfan min Mas'idish Shaitan (2/125)" says that assuming a particular appearance, wearing peculiar clothes, walking in an uncommon way and following one specific person and a particular Mazhab - all are tricks and traps of Satan. Satan impregnates them with such ideas and makes them adherent to these as they are obligatory. They never try to escape from the traps of Satan, instead they taunt and censure people who do not adopt their way, as many Mazahib of followers and Sufi cults like "Naqshbandies, Qadries, Saharwardies, Shadulies and Tijanaies" do. So, we should keep away from such prejudice and 'blind following' and should safeguard ourselves form un-Islamic practices. Propagators of these ideas are not among righteous and truthful people. Anyone who studies the way of the Prophet (s.a.w) and compares it with their ways, finds the difference. The way of the Prophet (s.a.w) is clear and simple - he did what Allah ordered him to do - but the way of blind followers is unnatural and quite different from the way of Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w).

Study the book of Ibnal-Qayyim entitled "Ighathtul lahfan min Masa'idish Shaitan", specially the last part of it; and you will come to know how the sectarian Mazahib are contrary to Islam and how they divided the unity of Islam. The writer has also given the details of intrigues of Ibn Sina, Naseeruddin at-Tusi, the Fatimids and Ismailis.

Shihabuddin Abdur Rahman, who is famous as Abu Shamah, writes in his book (2/10):

" People think it sufficient to memorise the Qur'an or to learn its recitation (according to the principles of Qira't), but they are negligent to other fields of the Qur'an like Tafsir (explanation and commentary) and deriving orders and instructions form the text of the Qur'an. Likewise they are negligent of the science of Hadith and they consider it enough to listen to the books of Hadith from ignorant teachers. Some of the people only copy the words of their Imams, and sometimes worthless opinions of babbles are everything for them. A pious man was asked about the meaning of blind following and answered that it meant changing religion "

Allah says:

" And be not of Al-Mushrikun (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc.) of those who split up their religion (i.e. who left the true Islamic Monotheism), and became sects " [30: 31,32]

Even then they are considered great scholars, whereas compared to true religious scholars they are ignorant. On page fifteen of the same book, Abu Shama says

" There were many sects, but only four have survived. People have abandoned all others and the followers of these four are also very few and they too feel discouraged. They follow their Imams, though they know that following of anyone else other than the Prophet (s.a.w) is prohibited. Allah knows best how to deal with them "

I finish on this point, with the hope that the problem of blind following has been understood completely. May Allah make my effort purely for Him and may His slaves take benefit from my humble efforts!