Is Taqlid Merely Unlawful, or Is It Also a Bid‘ah?

Source: Qur’an o Hadith ki Roshni Mein Ahkam o Masail, Volume 01, Page 574

❖ Question​

We agree that Taqlid (blind following) is unlawful.
Our question is:
Is Taqlid also considered a Bid‘ah (innovation) or not?

❖ Answer​

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:


My position is this:
Taqlid — meaning:


“Accepting a statement that contradicts the Qur’an or Sunnah” —
is unlawful (nā-jāʾiz).


You have written:


“We also acknowledge that Taqlid is unlawful.”
This means you have accepted my claim. The matter ends there.

✔ Regarding the Question of Bid‘ah​

Now, those who declare Taqlid to be a Bid‘ah,
or those who raise the question:


“Is Taqlid a Bid‘ah or not?”
or those who ask for evidence that Taqlid is a Bid‘ah —
such questions should be directed to those individuals themselves.


As for this humble servant of Allah,
I only declare Taqlid — specifically,


“Accepting a statement that contradicts the Qur’an or Sunnah” —
as unlawful (nā-jāʾiz).



هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I have, and Allah knows best what is correct.