[RafaelYV]

As salamu alaikum
So I've been thinking lately about the four maddhabs, and researching a bit into them. I'm thinking of ditching the maddhab I currently follow (Hanafi) because I'm starting to really disagree with the idea of separating Islam. I mean, Islam is Islam, right? We all believe in Allah and Muhammad, His prophet and the maddhabs just differentate on positions in salah, and how hadith be interpreted, right?

Is there anybody here who has followed a maddhab, but no longer does? Or anybody who has never followed one? I mean, should it not be down to the individual how one interprets the hadith, by using their common sense and their heart to interpret it? I find that I agree with some Hanafi theories, but then I agree with other scholars too on different subjects, so this is another reason why I don't wish to follow one set maddhab anymore.

DISCUSS!
Wa alaikum us salam

[karaburatoreror]

As salamu alaikum
So I've been thinking lately about the four maddhabs, and researching a bit into them. I'm thinking of ditching the maddhab I currently follow (Hanafi) because I'm starting to really disagree with the idea of separating Islam. I mean, Islam is Islam, right? We all believe in Allah and Muhammad, His prophet and the maddhabs just differentate on positions in salah, and how hadith be interpreted, right?

Is there anybody here who has followed a maddhab, but no longer does? Or anybody who has never followed one? I mean, should it not be down to the individual how one interprets the hadith, by using their common sense and their heart to interpret it? I find that I agree with some Hanafi theories, but then I agree with other scholars too on different subjects, so this is another reason why I don't wish to follow one set maddhab anymore.

DISCUSS!
Wa alaikum us salam

sister

be very careful if you have these questions. get in contact with a reputable scholar of fiqh and put your questions step by step to them. the science of fiqh is not so simple for laymen like us to just discard if we "don't get it".

the leaving of a madhab, can lead then to picking and choosing ahadeeth one finds caters to one's ego. from there, one rejects those ahadeeth which seemingly contradict each other, which leads to rejecting ahadeeth altogether. this is when alarm bells start to ring because you are only one step away from rejecting Quran altogether.

many have gone down this route and become apostates. so please be very careful.

[janeseymore09092]

As salamu alaikum
So I've been thinking lately about the four maddhabs, and researching a bit into them. I'm thinking of ditching the maddhab I currently follow (Hanafi) because I'm starting to really disagree with the idea of separating Islam. I mean, Islam is Islam, right? We all believe in Allah and Muhammad, His prophet and the maddhabs just differentate on positions in salah, and how hadith be interpreted, right?

Is there anybody here who has followed a maddhab, but no longer does? Or anybody who has never followed one? I mean, should it not be down to the individual how one interprets the hadith, by using their common sense and their heart to interpret it? I find that I agree with some Hanafi theories, but then I agree with other scholars too on different subjects, so this is another reason why I don't wish to follow one set maddhab anymore.

DISCUSS!
Wa alaikum us salam

It's up to you, if you leave the Madhab your life will be much harder, since you'll have to open the books of Hadith and grade the narrations and understand the complex texts and draw rulings and conclusions from them ect... when you make Taqleed of a Madhab basically the qualified scholars do this for you and explain to you and facilitate Islam for you.

[RafaelYV]

Jazak Allah khair for your responses.
I just feel that, if we can judge based on our intellect, we should do this, but when we do need a good scholar to help us on our way to following our religion correctly, we should do that, too. For example, this summer when I went to Toronto I was unsure on how I should go about praying and salah and fasting, so I followed the Hanafi fiqh for this.

I just feel that I agree with different scholars on different subjects, so I don't like saying I follow one set maddhab.

[leoto5Fm]

Madhabs are not really sects, nor are they a means of dividing the ummah; they are just schools of jurisprudence that vary due to differences in how a (qualified mujtahid) scholar should approach the source texts. All four schools of thought are valid and fit under the general sunni paradigm. Just like any other field such as medicine or physics, where someone who has not received sufficient training in the field does not have the right to make claims about that field, when it comes to our religion, one should have sufficient schooling from classically-trained authorities to be able to interpret the religion. It is not valid to simply rely on one's heart and "common sense." There are some issues, however, where you can follow your heart and common sense, but this is only in matters that are completely obvious to any Muslim. For example, if a so-called scholar says it is permissible to skip prayers, to murder people, to steal, etc. you know to reject that individual. However, when it comes to determining things that are not 100% clear cut, such as whether one should raise hands before and after bowing in prayer, whether marriage is valid without the permission of the girl's guardian, whether cloning is permissible, etc., then only a qualified scholar can delve into such issues.

[DYjLN8rF]

Life is short, do taqleed.

I mean, should it not be down to the individual how one interprets the hadith, by using their common sense and their heart to interpret it?

No sister, interpratating hadith or quran isnt what a person´s heart or sense says. Interpratation of Quran and hadith is done by knowing the context, knowledge of nasikh wa mansukh(which are abrogated), knowing the arabic langauge, idiom and phrases and the knowledge of the history of that region.

I'm starting to really disagree with the idea of separating Islam. I mean, Islam is Islam, right?

The madhabs are only there to facilitate for us the learning of fiqh and not to form a religion within a religion.

Sister, know how to drive the car, no need to know how a car´s structure is build or how its being made.As long as i know how to drive a car, i have fullfilled my duties, becoming an auto mechanical engeneer isnt necessary for all of us.

[karaburatoreror]

furthermore to sister Sarah, if you want to follow just Quran and Sunnah then be genuine in your efforts and stick to a set criteria. So if you say you will follow just Quran and say Bukharee Shareef then stick to only that. Don't go from Quran to Tirmidhi on one issue, then Quran and Bukharee on the other because that is being disingenuous to seeking of knowledge.

How will you decide if on one issue Tirmidhi or Abu Dawud or Muslim take preference over Bukharee, because all have saheeh hadeeth or transmission chains?

Common sense unfortunately is not academic because then you are basing your concept of what is right and wrong to someone else and this is not the way of Muslims. This is what atheists do.

This is a good discussion which Inshallah many learned people here will help you on.

[kaiayout]

Jazak Allah khair for your responses.
I just feel that, if we can judge based on our intellect, we should do this, but when we do need a good scholar to help us on our way to following our religion correctly, we should do that, too. For example, this summer when I went to Toronto I was unsure on how I should go about praying and salah and fasting, so I followed the Hanafi fiqh for this.

I just feel that I agree with different scholars on different subjects, so I don't like saying I follow one set maddhab.

To be honest sister, those are misplaced feelings because no one feels that they can just pick up a book on architecture then go and build a bridge or pick up a book on medical treatment then perform a heart transplant without thoroughly mastering all of its subjects and practices. If a person happens to feel that way and their feelings lead to actions then they'd probably be put in jail for practicing such complex subjects without qualifications and will most likely ruin the lives of others.

This deen is much more important than those worldly subjects because it's a connection between you and Allah, a means of your success in this life and the next, so don't gamble with that means of success.

[megasprut]

aoa,

i ask this question of everyone here: is it allowed to do as the sister asks?pick and choose from madhhabs but based on the ussol of the madhhab?
for example: you follow the maliki method of wuzu, shafi ghusl and hanbali salaat. you just choose their scholar's work over others. its not like the person is becoming a mujtahid and deriving his own rulings is it. they still read books of fiqh. but not just of one madhab. of several madhabs.

its like buying a car of toyota. washing machine of samsung. microwave of philips.
its not like constructing and designing your own car, washing machine amd microwave oven.

discuss please.
esp brother abu layl if he may

[megasprut]

Jazak Allah khair for your responses.
I just feel that, if we can judge based on our intellect, we should do this, but when we do need a good scholar to help us on our way to following our religion correctly, we should do that, too. For example, this summer when I went to Toronto I was unsure on how I should go about praying and salah and fasting, so I followed the Hanafi fiqh for this.

I just feel that I agree with different scholars on different subjects, so I don't like saying I follow one set maddhab.

p.s no offense sister but your personal message has an error. its "wahduhu LA sharika lahu" : )

[RlUbQU3R]

Sister, do you mind listing some of the issues where you feel the Hanafis have contradicted your 'common sense' and what your heart tells you?

[Mypepraipse]

sister have look at this video where Shaykh explains the dangers of common folk interpreting Quran & Hadeeth.

'Leave Fiqh to the Experts' by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mf6N8sUEw4

[Imalaycle]

If a Madhhab was good enough for Scholars such as Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubarak and Ibn Hajr Al-Asqalani, then a Madhhab is most definitely good enough for us.

[JohnfAclambrJA]

If you choose to be a La Madh-habi all it will do is make you hard, stubborn and very one sided

Being a Madh-habi makes you open to accept difference of opinions.

I speak from experience because i too was fooled with the fancy (empty) slogans of using your own brain for the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Rasulullah said that a person who a give a fatwa without knowledge the sin will be upon the person who gives it:

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من أفتي بغير علم كان إثمه على من أفتاه زاد سليمان المهري في حديثه ومن أشار على أخيه بأمر يعلم أن الرشد في غيره فقد خانه وهذا لفظ سليمان

Rasulullah :saw also said whoever interpets the Qur'an without knowledge his seat in the fire:

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ قَالَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنْ النَّارِ

And another thing, all you will be doing is re-inventing the wheel.

[idobestbuyonlinepp]

Actutally sister all muslims follow a madhhab, be it a well-known one or following their own shaykh.

The matter issometimes we emphasise too much on the madhhab issues whereas on other part of the world muslims follow a madhhab but don't even know who Abu Hanifa is.

[Verriasana]

Sarah is pretty young sister (less than 15 yo if I'm not mistaken) so if any older sisters can help her as well that would be great.

[boleroman]

Sarah is pretty young sister (less than 15 yo if I'm not mistaken) so if any older sisters can help her as well that would be great.

for the reminder.

[DINAKuncher]

I just feel that I agree with different scholars on different subjects, so I don't like saying I follow one set maddhab.

Your feelings are subjective and rejected according to the Quran. You assume that the definition of analytic deduction is palatable to all, however it is not.

The Quran and the teaching of the beloved Prophet [peace be upon him] and every civilisation in history has segregated society amongst those who have knowledge and those who do not. Those who are considered scholars or academics and those who are lay people.

In this phenomenal information era there is an upraise of individuals who believe that a feeling is descriptive of intelligence.

Let me explain:

A basic principal in research whether qualitative or quantitative is the usage of the Harvard referencing. The Harvard referencing most of us a familiar with if we read academic books, those who are not should take a look at Wikipedia. A Harvard referencing would look like this Redman, P., 2006. Good essay writing: a social sciences guide. 3rd ed. London: Open University in assoc. with Sage.. What you see there is when a piece of research is writing then it has to be referenced with the author name, date of writing, page number and the book name. This allows the person reading the research to cross reference the information provided.

Now let us look at a piece of Islamic knowledge:

Imaam abu Hanifa [May Allah be pleased with him] states: "when making ablution wash your arms above your elbow".
Imaan Malik [May Allah be pleased with him] states: "when making ablution was the arms upto the elbow".

Person [a] says to person [b], "I apply the argument of Imaam Abu hanifa since it is the safer of the two".

From the above on the surface you evaluate that person [a] has made a rational/intelligent decision. Further you could state that he has made a analytic deduction from the decisioning of the two scholars. Is he correct? no he is not!

As a principal of logic you can not make a decision on the bases of safer bets as this is not associated with the intelligence or rational. This is a choice of the nafs [desires] and has a fine line between the two. The Quran makes a reference of one staying away from following their desires and it is even moreso paramount in the decisioning of the matters of Aqeedah and fiqh.

both the imaams came to their conclusion on the basis of research if you choose to accept one, oppose one or oppose both then you also have to provide a counter argument either in favour or against. Frankly this is not achievable unless you are a scholar.

The conclusion according to the Quran is that one who follows their desire will go astray. From a psychological perspective this would be deemed as 'false pride'. False Pride is when you attribute yourself a ranking, social standing, position, etc when you are not deserved of it. You see this in situations when people from poor backgrounds imitate the wealthy with lavish lifestyles although they do not have sustainable wealth. In this situation you have a person who allocates capability in analytic deduction when they do not possess the knowledge base or skill-set. Whether you accept this truth is irrelevant since a lot of people in false pride deny the truth consciously or even sub-consciously. Thus one who possess this false pride will be condemned to the fire of hell.

So what is the correct approach?

Islam is based on hierarchy all societies and civilisations have always been based on hierarchy. The hierarchy of Islam is with the Prophet [peace be upon him], then the scholars and then the rest of the people. All people affiliate themselves with a rightly guided scholar and he will distribute the wealth of knowledge [notice there is no mention of madhab] these people will spend their lives affiliated to this scholar or a group of scholars within their own communities throughout their lives. An exception would be made for those who require frequent travel due to business or service to the deen.

But what about the disruption that the internet, new media, faster modes of travel has bought? People who are non-scholars i.e. the layman does not actually have a madhab [hence I removed mine from my handle] they are affiliate to scholars who are associated to a madhab, in my case it is the hanafi fiqh. If I had not been exposed to the any school of thought [in the 60's 70's 80's and 90's entire generations of people in the UK went by without any significant cross referencing of alternative schools] then I have no need to even ask 'what is the hanafi madhab? since its knowledge has no impact according to Quran in my acceptance of worship since I am commanded to ask people of knowledge. However since I have been exposed I ask the questions and show the interest and get a better understanding. However as far as the teaching from the Sunnah is concerned I am to be affiliated with a rightly guided scholar and it is guidance and reference of the Quran and hadith that I rely upon.

In conclusion you can not accept or reject any of the findings unless you are qualified to do so as this would be classified as following your desires, thus condemnation according to the Quran. You should affiliate yourself to the people of knowledge and especially rightly guided scholars according to descriptions of these people in the Quran and Sunnah.

[HarryMet]

Your feelings are subjective and rejected according to the Quran. You assume that the definition of analytic deduction is palatable to all, however it is not.

The Quran and the teaching of the beloved Prophet [peace be upon him] and every civilisation in history has segregated society amongst those who have knowledge and those who do not. Those who are considered scholars or academics and those who are lay people.

In this phenomenal information era there is an upraise of individuals who believe that a feeling is descriptive of intelligence.

Let me explain:

A basic principal in research whether qualitative or quantitative is the usage of the Harvard referencing. The Harvard referencing most of us a familiar with if we read academic books, those who are not should take a look at Wikipedia. A Harvard referencing would look like this Redman, P., 2006. Good essay writing: a social sciences guide. 3rd ed. London: Open University in assoc. with Sage.. What you see there is when a piece of research is writing then it has to be referenced with the author name, date of writing, page number and the book name. This allows the person reading the research to cross reference the information provided.

Now let us look at a piece of Islamic knowledge:

Imaam abu Hanifa [May Allah be pleased with him] states: "when making ablution wash your arms above your elbow".
Imaan Malik [May Allah be pleased with him] states: "when making ablution was the arms upto the elbow".

Person [a] says to person [b], "I apply the argument of Imaam Abu hanifa since it is the safer of the two".

From the above on the surface you evaluate that person [a] has made a rational/intelligent decision. Further you could state that he has made a analytic deduction from the decisioning of the two scholars. Is he correct? no he is not!

As a principal of logic you can not make a decision on the bases of safer bets as this is not associated with the intelligence or rational. This is a choice of the nafs [desires] and has a fine line between the two. The Quran makes a reference of one staying away from following their desires and it is even moreso paramount in the decisioning of the matters of Aqeedah and fiqh.

both the imaams came to their conclusion on the basis of research if you choose to accept one, oppose one or oppose both then you also have to provide a counter argument either in favour or against. Frankly this is not achievable unless you are a scholar.

The conclusion according to the Quran is that one who follows their desire will go astray. From a psychological perspective this would be deemed as 'false pride'. False Pride is when you attribute yourself a ranking, social standing, position, etc when you are not deserved of it. You see this in situations when people from poor backgrounds imitate the wealthy with lavish lifestyles although they do not have sustainable wealth. In this situation you have a person who allocates capability in analytic deduction when they do not possess the knowledge base or skill-set. Whether you accept this truth is irrelevant since a lot of people in false pride deny the truth consciously or even sub-consciously. Thus one who possess this false pride will be condemned to the fire of hell.

So what is the correct approach?

Islam is based on hierarchy all societies and civilisations have always been based on hierarchy. The hierarchy of Islam is with the Prophet [peace be upon him], then the scholars and then the rest of the people. All people affiliate themselves with a rightly guided scholar and he will distribute the wealth of knowledge [notice there is no mention of madhab] these people will spend their lives affiliated to this scholar or a group of scholars within their own communities throughout their lives. An exception would be made for those who require frequent travel due to business or service to the deen.

But what about the disruption that the internet, new media, faster modes of travel has bought? People who are non-scholars i.e. the layman does not actually have a madhab [hence I removed mine from my handle] they are affiliate to scholars who are associated to a madhab, in my case it is the hanafi fiqh. If I had not been exposed to the any school of thought [in the 60's 70's 80's and 90's entire generations of people in the UK went by without any significant cross referencing of alternative schools] then I have no need to even ask 'what is the hanafi madhab? since its knowledge has no impact according to Quran in my acceptance of worship since I am commanded to ask people of knowledge. However since I have been exposed I ask the questions and show the interest and get a better understanding. However as far as the teaching from the Sunnah is concerned I am to be affiliated with a rightly guided scholar and it is guidance and reference of the Quran and hadith that I rely upon.

In conclusion you can not accept or reject any of the findings unless you are qualified to do so as this would be classified as following your desires, thus condemnation according to the Quran. You should affiliate yourself to the people of knowledge and especially rightly guided scholars according to descriptions of these people in the Quran and Sunnah.

She is 15 years old, bro.

EDIT: But it is a beneficial post.

[DINAKuncher]

She is 15 years old, bro.

EDIT: But it is a beneficial post.

i appreciate that point. But the Original Post is on a public forum that could influence other peoples thinking also.