Written by: Fazal Akbar Kashmiri
The consensus among Muslims is that Islam is a complete religion. With the acknowledgment of the two testimonies (Shahadatain), every Muslim becomes bound exclusively by two things: the Book (Quran) and the Sunnah. No power in the world can separate these two until the Day of Judgment. This is the strongest foundation of success and the central cause of salvation. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) deeply instilled the importance and love for these two in the hearts and minds of his companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and they achieved the title of "Radi Allahu Anhum" by acting upon them. Thus, the meaning of the Book and the Sunnah that is valid is the one proven by the consensus and the pious predecessors. The Muslims of the best generations also adopted this and dominated the world of disbelief, with falsehood bowing before them.
In contrast, a sensitive and serious issue is that of personal imitation (Taqleed Shakhsi), which began after the first three centuries (Quroun Thalatha). This is a malady that has caused division and discord among Muslims in every era. It has blurred the clear mirror of Islam. Taqleed is the biggest obstacle on the path of truth and turns the imitator away from the Sunnah. Taqleed is the opposite of revelation, contrary to monotheism, and an innovation of the fourth century.
(Sayyidina) Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"As for the mistake of a scholar, (listen) if he is on guidance, then do not imitate him in your religion."
(Kitab al-Zuhd by Imam Waki, vol. 1, p. 299, 300, Hadith 71, and its chain is Hasan)
Abdul Hayy Lakhnawi, while explaining the reasons for fabricating Hadiths, writes:
"The sixth reason: People were driven to fabricate Hadiths due to religious prejudice and rigid imitation."
(al-Athar al-Marfou'a fi al-Akhbar al-Mawdu'a, p. 17)
Through Taqleed, a person commits ignorance. Zailai Hanafi, while criticizing his Sheikh's mistake, writes:
"The imitator errs, and the imitator commits ignorance."
(Nassb al-Rayah, vol. 1, p. 219)
Aini Hanafi said:
"The imitator errs, and the imitator commits ignorance, and the calamity of everything is due to imitation."
(al-Binayah Sharh al-Hidayah, vol. 1, p. 317)
The consensus among Muslims is that Islam is a complete religion. With the acknowledgment of the two testimonies (Shahadatain), every Muslim becomes bound exclusively by two things: the Book (Quran) and the Sunnah. No power in the world can separate these two until the Day of Judgment. This is the strongest foundation of success and the central cause of salvation. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) deeply instilled the importance and love for these two in the hearts and minds of his companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and they achieved the title of "Radi Allahu Anhum" by acting upon them. Thus, the meaning of the Book and the Sunnah that is valid is the one proven by the consensus and the pious predecessors. The Muslims of the best generations also adopted this and dominated the world of disbelief, with falsehood bowing before them.
In contrast, a sensitive and serious issue is that of personal imitation (Taqleed Shakhsi), which began after the first three centuries (Quroun Thalatha). This is a malady that has caused division and discord among Muslims in every era. It has blurred the clear mirror of Islam. Taqleed is the biggest obstacle on the path of truth and turns the imitator away from the Sunnah. Taqleed is the opposite of revelation, contrary to monotheism, and an innovation of the fourth century.
(Sayyidina) Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"As for the mistake of a scholar, (listen) if he is on guidance, then do not imitate him in your religion."
(Kitab al-Zuhd by Imam Waki, vol. 1, p. 299, 300, Hadith 71, and its chain is Hasan)
Abdul Hayy Lakhnawi, while explaining the reasons for fabricating Hadiths, writes:
"The sixth reason: People were driven to fabricate Hadiths due to religious prejudice and rigid imitation."
(al-Athar al-Marfou'a fi al-Akhbar al-Mawdu'a, p. 17)
Through Taqleed, a person commits ignorance. Zailai Hanafi, while criticizing his Sheikh's mistake, writes:
"The imitator errs, and the imitator commits ignorance."
(Nassb al-Rayah, vol. 1, p. 219)
Aini Hanafi said:
"The imitator errs, and the imitator commits ignorance, and the calamity of everything is due to imitation."
(al-Binayah Sharh al-Hidayah, vol. 1, p. 317)