✍ Compiled by: Abu Hamzah Salafi
This article is a research-based response to the false and misleading claim that Shaykh Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī رحمه الله supported or permitted taqlīd (blind following).
We will cover the following points:
❀ Clear and documented evidence of al-Albānī’s rejection of taqlīd.
❀ Analysis of the quote attributed to him in support of taqlīd, showing its actual context.
❀ Citations from his original works to prove that he not only refuted personal taqlīd but even considered it outside the boundaries of true Islam.
Each proof is presented with its original Arabic, authentic Urdu translation, and reference source for comprehensive verification.
Arabic Text:
الفرق بين الإتباع والتقليد هو أن الأصل في كل مسلم أن يكون كما قال تعالى: ﴿قل هذه سبيلي أدعو إلى الله على بصيرة أنا ومن اتبعني…﴾
…ولا شك أن التقليد ليس علما… لهذا يجب أن نعرف أن فرقا كبيرا بين هذا التقليد وبين الاتباع الذي هو الاتباع بمقتضى الدليل… فهذا ليس من الإسلام في شيء… لا يجوز للمسلم مطلقا أن يتدين بالتقليد…
Tafrīgh al-Fatāwā al-Imārātiyyah
Translation:
The difference between following based on evidence (ittibāʿ) and blind following (taqlīd) is that every Muslim should be as Allah said:
“Say: This is my way; I call to Allah with clear insight—I and those who follow me…” [Sūrah Yūsuf: 108]
Undoubtedly, taqlīd is not knowledge, and the muqallid does not act upon insight. Whoever makes taqlīd the foundation of their religion, then this is not part of Islam in any way. It is not permissible for any Muslim to adopt taqlīd as their religion.
Imām al-Shāfiʿī said regarding qiyās (analogy):
“It is only resorted to when there is no clear evidence from the Qur’an, Sunnah, or consensus.”
We say the same about taqlīd.
Arabic Text:
هذا تقليد لبعض الكتب الفقهية وهو مما لا دليل عليه في السنة المحمدية بل هو مخالف لقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إذا سمع أحدكم النداء والإناء على يده فلا يضعه حتى يقضي حاجته منه".
Tamām al-Minna fī al-Taʿlīq ʿalā Fiqh al-Sunnah
Translation:
This is taqlīd of some fiqh books, and there is no proof for it in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. In fact, it contradicts the hadith:
“When one of you hears the adhān and a vessel is in his hand, let him not put it down until he finishes his need from it.”
Arabic Text:
…وإنما أريد أن أذكر بكلمة قصيرة تنفع إن شاء الله تعالى من كان مخلصا وغايته اتباع الحق وليس تقليد الآباء أو المذهب.
Ḥujjat al-Nabiyy ﷺ Kamā Rawāhā Jābir رضي الله عنه
Translation:
I only wish to mention a short statement that, inshāʾAllāh, will benefit one who is sincere and whose goal is to follow the truth, not to blindly follow his forefathers or a particular madhhab.
Arabic Text:
قلت: فتأمل مبلغ تناقض الذهبي! لتحرص على العلم الصحيح، وتنجو من تقليد الرجال.
Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ḍaʿīfah wa al-Mawḍūʿah
Translation:
I say: Reflect upon the contradiction in al-Dhahabī’s statement! Strive for authentic knowledge, and be saved from the taqlīd of men.
These are just a few examples. In reality, Shaykh al-Albānī’s entire scholarly life was a defense of evidence-based Islam and a rejection of blind following.
He consistently refuted taqlīd and responded to its claims with authentic ahādīth. He even declared that a person committed to taqlīd, without evidence, is not upon the path of Islam, because their religion is based on blind submission, not knowledge or proof.
❖ Purpose of the Article
This article is a research-based response to the false and misleading claim that Shaykh Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī رحمه الله supported or permitted taqlīd (blind following).
We will cover the following points:
❀ Clear and documented evidence of al-Albānī’s rejection of taqlīd.
❀ Analysis of the quote attributed to him in support of taqlīd, showing its actual context.
❀ Citations from his original works to prove that he not only refuted personal taqlīd but even considered it outside the boundaries of true Islam.
Each proof is presented with its original Arabic, authentic Urdu translation, and reference source for comprehensive verification.
Shaykh al-Albānī’s Rejection of Taqlīd — Evidences & Clarifications
① First Evidence: The Difference Between
Arabic Text:
الفرق بين الإتباع والتقليد هو أن الأصل في كل مسلم أن يكون كما قال تعالى: ﴿قل هذه سبيلي أدعو إلى الله على بصيرة أنا ومن اتبعني…﴾
…ولا شك أن التقليد ليس علما… لهذا يجب أن نعرف أن فرقا كبيرا بين هذا التقليد وبين الاتباع الذي هو الاتباع بمقتضى الدليل… فهذا ليس من الإسلام في شيء… لا يجوز للمسلم مطلقا أن يتدين بالتقليد…
Tafrīgh al-Fatāwā al-ImārātiyyahTranslation:
The difference between following based on evidence (ittibāʿ) and blind following (taqlīd) is that every Muslim should be as Allah said:
“Say: This is my way; I call to Allah with clear insight—I and those who follow me…” [Sūrah Yūsuf: 108]
Undoubtedly, taqlīd is not knowledge, and the muqallid does not act upon insight. Whoever makes taqlīd the foundation of their religion, then this is not part of Islam in any way. It is not permissible for any Muslim to adopt taqlīd as their religion.
Imām al-Shāfiʿī said regarding qiyās (analogy):
“It is only resorted to when there is no clear evidence from the Qur’an, Sunnah, or consensus.”
We say the same about taqlīd.
② Second Evidence: Rejecting Taqlīd in Fiqh Issues
Arabic Text:
هذا تقليد لبعض الكتب الفقهية وهو مما لا دليل عليه في السنة المحمدية بل هو مخالف لقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إذا سمع أحدكم النداء والإناء على يده فلا يضعه حتى يقضي حاجته منه".
Tamām al-Minna fī al-Taʿlīq ʿalā Fiqh al-SunnahTranslation:
This is taqlīd of some fiqh books, and there is no proof for it in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. In fact, it contradicts the hadith:
“When one of you hears the adhān and a vessel is in his hand, let him not put it down until he finishes his need from it.”
③ Third Evidence: Follow the Truth, Not Fathers or Madhhab
Arabic Text:
…وإنما أريد أن أذكر بكلمة قصيرة تنفع إن شاء الله تعالى من كان مخلصا وغايته اتباع الحق وليس تقليد الآباء أو المذهب.
Ḥujjat al-Nabiyy ﷺ Kamā Rawāhā Jābir رضي الله عنهTranslation:
I only wish to mention a short statement that, inshāʾAllāh, will benefit one who is sincere and whose goal is to follow the truth, not to blindly follow his forefathers or a particular madhhab.
④ Fourth Evidence: Warning Against Taqlīd of Men
Arabic Text:
قلت: فتأمل مبلغ تناقض الذهبي! لتحرص على العلم الصحيح، وتنجو من تقليد الرجال.
Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ḍaʿīfah wa al-MawḍūʿahTranslation:
I say: Reflect upon the contradiction in al-Dhahabī’s statement! Strive for authentic knowledge, and be saved from the taqlīd of men.
✿ Final Note
These are just a few examples. In reality, Shaykh al-Albānī’s entire scholarly life was a defense of evidence-based Islam and a rejection of blind following.
He consistently refuted taqlīd and responded to its claims with authentic ahādīth. He even declared that a person committed to taqlīd, without evidence, is not upon the path of Islam, because their religion is based on blind submission, not knowledge or proof.
