Taqleed At A Glance, A Basic Understanding (By Mufti Waseem Khan (Hafizahullah)

[ummtaalib]

Taqleed literally means to follow, and according to the technical meaning used in the Shariah, it means ‘to follow someone in what he says, considering it to be the truth, without looking into the evidence for it’. (Baghwi)

 

Based on the above meaning, we find that in reality, all Muslims do Taqleed knowingly or unknowingly. The reason for this is clearly seen from the conduct of all Muslims. Almost all Muslims rely on one scholar or another, from whom they take their advice, and adopt their rulings. All these are done without even knowing the evidence for the ruling. Whether Muslims accept a particular Alim/Shaikh or another, they cannot escape the fact that they rely on the opinions of a person and accept it even though they are not aware of the evidences for the said opinions.

 

 

This act of following/accepting a scholar’s opinion can be easily understood when we see that most of the Muslims are not scholars of Islam, nor have they studied any of the Islamic sciences. Most of them are engrossed in their private jobs and occupation and spend absolutely no time in acquiring a sound Islamic education. Although some may be practicing Muslims, yet, they do not get involve in formal studies. As such, we see that most of the Muslims are not aware of Hadith Studies, Quranic Studies, and Islamic Jurisprudence, etc.

 

However, notwithstanding their ignorance (of most of the Sciences of Islamic learning), they are nevertheless devout and practicing Muslims who continue to fulfil and abide by the teachings of Islam. This, they are able to do on account of their acceptance and adherence to the teachings given by scholars whom they have accepted as their Ulama. Hence, whenever they are confronted with any situation, they refer to their scholars and do not question the authenticity and soundness of the opinions and advice which have been given.

 

 

Almost all Muslims in the world, scholars and non scholars find themselves in the above situation. As for the Muslim who is not a scholar, he places his trust and reliance on a scholar, and then accepts his opinion, explanation and advice.

 

As for the Muslim who is a scholar, he is totally dependant on the scholars of the earlier generations of the Salafus Saaliheen, for his understanding of the sciences of Islam. As a scholar, he accepts their rulings, explanations and opinions, and also gives his verdicts upon their statements. In this way, he (the Islamic scholar) finds himself following other scholars, and he knows to himself that he cannot escape this. As such, regardless of what one may say against Taqleed, he must also do it, since there is no other way of understanding the teachings of Islam except through the way of accepting and following the explanations given by the Salafus Saaliheen from among the Sahabahs, Tabi’uun and At’baa-at Tabieen.

 

 

It is on account of this reality, we find that even those who condemn Taqleed, are forced to quote statements of ‘Ibn Katheer,’ ‘Imam Bukhari’, ‘Imam Muslim’, ‘Ibn Taimiya’, ‘Ibn Qayyim’, ‘Imam Barbaharee’, ‘Imam Ahmad’, ‘Sheikh Albani’ etc, etc…

 

The mere fact that a person may quote any of the above name as a proof for what he says, shows that he is using the name (quoted) as an authority and evidence. It therefore means, that he relies and places his trust upon a certain Scholar and follows what he has said. In many cases, the one quoting such names (as a proof) do not understand or even investigate the evidence for such statements. Instead, he simply relies upon the name of the Scholar, accepting his opinion to be sound. This, in reality is Taqleed. It’s simply a matter of following someone who others are not following. Therefore, this act of condemning Taqleed is based on ignorance and arrogance, and out of mere obstinacy, for certainly, a person finds himself doing Taqleed and is totally dependant upon it.

 

From this explanation, it can be seen that basically, every Muslim does Taqleed. It is simply a matter of whom he chooses to follow. There are some Muslims who may not adhere or adopt the Mazhab of Imams Abu Hanifa, Malik, Shafi or Ahmad bin Hambal, but yet, they adhere to the opinions and verdicts s of other scholars of the past. So, in reality they are also doing Taqleed (following). Some may reject the practice of Taqleed, but yet, may listen and follow what a certain Sheikh may say or write. This itself is Taqleed, and they are also involved in doing Taqleed even though they may not accept it.

 

Taqleed therefore, is one which is done by every Muslim and no one can escape it. It is not something which is newly invented, nor has it been condemned in Islam. Instead, it is one which is encouraged in Islam and the Holy Quran and the Sunnah bears ample testimony to this.

 

In this regard, Allah commands the Muslims in the following manner, ‘O those who believe! Obey Allah and obey His Messenger and those in authority over you’. (Quraan 4:59). Here (in this verse), Allah Has commanded the believers to obey Him. He has also commanded them to obey His Messenger, Muhammad (SA), and has ordered them to obey those who are in authority. The verse makes it abundantly clear that all Muslims must be obedient to Allah, to His Messenger (SA) and to those who are in authority.

 

With respect to who are ‘Those in authority’, the great commentators of the Holy Quran from among the Sahabah, the Tabi’uun and those after them, have stated that ‘those in authority’ in this verse, means the Fuqaha (the Jurists of Islam). This is the explanation given by Jabir bin Abdullah (RA), Abdullah bin Abbas (RA), Mujahid (RA), Ata bin Abi Rabah (RA), Ata bin Sa’ib (RA), Hassan Basri (RA), Abul Aliyah (RA) and many others from the Salafus Saaliheen (Pious Predecessors). (Tafseer Ibn Jareer)

 

Based upon this explanation, it therefore means that Allah has issued a command in this verse of Sura An Nisa, informing the Muslims that they must obey the Fuqaha ‘Islamic Jurists’ who have been given a degree of authority over them. The reason for this command is quite clear, since the Fuqaha are those who have been endowed with the knowledge and the understanding of the religion of Allah (Al Islam).

 

 

As such, (with their understanding and knowledge) they are able, to teach and explain the laws of Islam. They are able to guide the Muslims with respect to halal and haram, and are able to issue verdicts on many matters. When this is done, it becomes imperative upon the Muslims to listen and obey them, and to follow their guidelines since it is all connected to Allah and His Messenger (SA).

 

It is for this reason, Allah has commanded the believers in the above mentioned verse to obey the Islamic Jurists, who, according to the commentators are the ones in authority. It should be noted that obedience comes about only by following, and there is no law mentioned in this verse which tells the Muslims that they must know the evidence for a certain issue before they obey. The verse, rather, is straight, explicit and simple, in that it commands the Muslims to obey those who are in authority (that is, the Fuqaha-Islamic Jurists).

 

 

In another verse, Allah says, ‘Ask those of knowledge, if you do not know’. (An Nahl: 43; Al Ambiya: 7) In this verse, Allah Has commanded those who do not possess knowledge to ask those who possess it. Obviously, asking is done in order to follow and obey. As such, when Muslims seek advice or ask the religious Scholars questions, they are required to accept the answers and follow what have been told to them. So in reality, the act of asking questions brings about the act of ‘following’.

 

It is therefore clear from this verse, that Allah, by commanding the believers to ask the Scholars (who are endowed with knowledge) of the things that they do not know about, is in reality ordering them to follow the Scholars in the answers they give.

 

So what is evident from these verses and explanations, is that the act of following ‘scholars’ and ‘knowledgeable people’, (which in essence is the concept of Taqleed) is one which is not only encouraged in the Holy Quran, but it is also a requirement of a Muslim. It is for this reason, the scholars of the early and latter generations have all accepted Taqleed and have encouraged the Muslims to do Taqleed. In this regard, Hafiz Ibn Taimiya has written in his Fatawa that it is the agreement of the scholars that Ijtihaad (deductions) is permissible and Taqleed is permissible. Ijtihaad is permissible for that person who has the ability to do it, and Taqleed is for that person who cannot do Ijtihaad’.

 

 

Allama Baghwi has also written, ‘It is essential for a person who does not possess the qualifications for Ijtihaad to do Taqleed’. The great scholar, Khateeb Al Baghdadi writes: ‘As far as the Islamic rules are concerned, there are two types. The first are those which are known by necessity to be a part of the Deen of the Prophet (SA) like Salaah, Zakaah, Fasting etc. Taqleed is not allowed in these issues since they are such that everyone should know and understand (that is, every Muslim is required to know that these are compulsory and hence, must obey the commandments of Allah). The second type are those rules which need to be understood and explained, such as the details of the rituals of worship, transactions, etc. Taqleed is allowed in these issues since Allah says, “Ask those of knowledge, if you do not know”. (Nahl verse 43)

 

Based on the above quotations, we see that the scholars have made two divisions. One is with respect to those who can do Ijtihaad, and the other is with respect to those who must do Taqleed. Ijtihaad, as explained by the pious predecessors, is the process of extracting laws from the four basic sources of the Shariah, namely, the Quran, the Sunnah, Ijma (Concensus of opinion) and Qiyas (analogy based on explicit rulings of the Quran and Sunnah). A Mujtahid is therefore a scholar who is qualified to do Ijtihaad.

 

As explained before, Taqleed technically means to accept the view of a Mujtahid in issues of Islamic law, without seeking to know the proof thereof, on the belief that the views are based on legitimate evidences of the Shariah. Thus, a Muqallid (follower) is one who ascribes to the Taqleed of a Mujtahid, because he lacks the qualifications to perform Ijtihaad.

 

It should be understood that ‘Following (making Taqleed) of an Imam or a Mujtahid does not entail believing the Mujtahid to be an independent source of law, who has to be followed in totality. Rather, the idea is that the Quran and Sunnah be followed as it is understood by the great scholars of the past, whose understanding, knowledge and authenticity have been accepted by the Ummah.

 

The Imam/Mujtahid whose opinion is followed, is regarded as an interpreter and not a law maker. The only reason a person follows an Imam/Mujtahid is because of the conviction that the Mujtahid has great knowledge and understanding of the Quran and Sunnah, (which he, the follower does not possess), through which the Imam/Mujtahid is able to understand their meanings. In this regard, the follower has relied upon the Imam’s opinion/verdict/ruling.

 

Taqleed therefore, facilitates the following of the Quran and Sunnah. It is to be noted also that Taqleed existed during the time of the Sahabahs (RA) (Companions), where many of them would follow the most knowledgeable among them, and adhere to his opinions, rulings and explanations. This act of following was so strong that they would not accept the opinions which contradicted the rulings/fatawas of that person whom they followed.

 

 

It is therefore clear, that ‘Taqleed’ conforms to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah and hence, has been encouraged by the scholars of the former and latter generations. While some have strongly encouraged the Muslims to do it, many great Scholars from the Salaafus Saliheen and the latter generations have stated that it is essential for Muslims to do Taqleed. This, they explain, is in order to protect one’s religion and to save one self from practicing upon the opinions of Scholars to one’s convenience. It is generally seen , that those who do not do Taqleed, ‘pick’ and ‘choose’ opinions (of Scholars) at random. Whatever suits their desires are normally adopted, without having any strong evidence to support (their actions). Sometimes an Imam’s/Scholar opinion is accepted in a certain issue, but the same Scholar/Imam is rejected in another issue.

 

Due to the fact that one is not disciplined in Knowledge, he finds himself roaming from one Scholar to the other, from one opinion to the other, until he finds that which is convenient and acceptable to him. It is strange to know that those guilty of these practices are not from among the learned, instead, they are those who have no formal Islamic education and are not even qualified to give an opinion in Shariah matters.

 

 

About this, the great Muhaddith Shah Waliyullah (RA) writes, ‘The Ummah has unanimously agreed upon the validity of following one of the four Schools of thought which has been organized and documented. There are many obvious benefits in this, especially today where determination has dwindled, where desires have penetrated our consciousness and gloating with one’s opinion is seen as a virtue’. (Al Insaaf)

 

About the attitude of those who continue to attack the following of an Imam/Mujtahid, thereby choosing opinions at random, the great Scholar of Hadith, Sheikh Siddiq Hassan writes, ‘There has arisen in this era, a party who do their actions for fame and to show others. They call themselves people of Hadith and Quran, and they claim to have perfect knowledge, actions and recognition of the Shariah.’

 

 

‘So how strange is this! That they call themselves people of Tauheed, who are sincere, and brand others as Unbelievers and Mushrik, while they themselves are worst of all people, with respect to partisanship and the worst of all in exceeding the bounds of deen’. (Al Hittatu fi Zikr Sihah As Sittah pg. 67,68).

 

The great and renowned Scholar, Khateeb Al Baghdadi also writes, ‘As for those who should do Taqleed, they are those who do not know the methods of extracting Islamic rules. These people should follow one specific Imam and act upon his ruling. This is so because they do not posses the tools for Ijtihaad’. (Al Faqeeh Wal Mutafaqih).

 

 

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