Respect for the Madhāhib and Following Evidence
Q: Why is there emphasis on not being extreme about madhhab opinions online?
A: Many scholars warn against taking fiqh positions from unqualified sources online. People often become overly strict or dismissive of others based on opinions they read, leading to division in the community. It’s essential to follow qualified scholarship and recognize the legitimacy of differing views among the four schools of thought.
Q: Did Imam Abu Hanifa meet any of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ?
A: Yes, Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله met six Companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, including Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه and others. Though some scholars mention that his narrations directly from Companions may have issues of technical narration terminology, generally, his connection to the early generation is well respected. This strengthens the importance of viewing the traditional four madhāhib (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali) within the framework of early Islamic scholarship.
Q: When scholars of the four madhāhib disagreed, did they accuse one another of innovation (bid‘ah)?
A: No, they did not. While the books of fiqh might record disagreements (such as the Hanafi books noting differences with Shafi’i views), they maintained respect. Scholars disagreed based on ijtihad—independent juristic reasoning rooted in Islamic principles. Declaring something as innovation (bid‘ah) hastily is dangerous and was not the method of the classical scholars.
Q: How can we protect ourselves from falling into this rigidity?
A: The key is to study the religion through qualified scholars and within the framework of the recognized madhāhib. Learning fiqh with appreciation for the four schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali) prevents sectarianism and fosters respect for legitimate scholarly difference. Extremism arises when people lack this grounding and rely on isolated opinions or unqualified sources—especially online.
Q: Why is learning from all four madhāhib beneficial, even if one follows a specific school?
A: Studying the four madhāhib gives depth and balance in understanding. It helps the student appreciate the breadth of Islamic legal thought and prevents rigid adherence to a single opinion when others are equally valid. Even if one follows a particular school (e.g., Shafi‘i), learning from others allows a broader understanding and cultivates humility and unity.
Q: Is it permissible to adopt a fatwa from another madhhab if it has stronger evidence?
A: Yes, scholars across all four schools of thought—Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali—have acknowledged that certain rulings may carry stronger evidence in one school over another. Sometimes, the Maliki school may hold the strongest dalīl in a given matter, and this is reflected in the fatwa adopted. Similarly, other rulings may follow the Hanafi or Hanbali positions, based on the strength of evidence.
As the line of poetry states:
“Wa kulluhum min Rasūlillāhi multamisun, rashfan mina al-yammi wa gharfan mina al-diyami”
(“All of them seek from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, sipping from the ocean and drawing deeply from the flowing river”).
This teaches us that every school strives sincerely to follow the Sunnah, and differences arise from ijtihad and methodology, not from deviation.