Nahda Online

   -the collection of opinions of scholars who generally agree on the principles used to come to those   opinions

  -Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali, Maliki

• Why do different madhhabs exist?

-Qur’an and Sunnah have texts which require interpretation

-Different interpretation lead to different opinions

• Why do differences occur?

-Unlike the Qur’an, the hadith are not all agreed upon

-This leads to some scholars using some ahadith which other scholars don’t use

-Words can have different meanings: literal, metaphoric

-Reconciling between different texts -Different principles (usul al-fiqh)

• Are these differences an issue?

-No, these difference existed from the time of the Prophet (s)

-In fact they make Islam more rich and dynamic

• What about Unity?

-Unity can mean many things

-The unity we require is the unity Islam dictates

-Unity is reference to the Qur’an and Sunnah

-Unity of lands and leadership

• Do I need to follow a madhhab?

-Anyone who is not qualified to make ijtihad must to taqleed

-Must follow one mujtahid in any one issue

-Practically, safer to chose one of the four madhhabs

-However always seek more knowledge to move towards ijtihad

• Which madhhab should I follow?

-Golden rule: we must follow the hukm of Allah

-Haram to follow your own desires

-Don’t chose what you find easy

-All madhhabs valid, but consider: -Practicality of learning the fiqh of that madhhab

• New issues: which opinion should I follow?

-Consider:

-Track record of the shaykh/scholar  giving the opinion

-Knowledge of that shaykh/scholar about the issue

-Does it contradict a clear text?

-Use classical scholars as benchmark

-Keep open mind and always endeavour to learn more;

-Over time you will develop a good idea of which opinions to follow

 End.