Question:
What is the ruling on following a minority opinion in fiqh when living in non-Muslim lands?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ،
الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.
The basis of following a madhhab is rooted in the principle of taqlīd—relying upon qualified jurists in interpreting and applying the Sharīʿah. Allah says:
> ﴿ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴾
“So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.” (Sūrat al-Naḥl: 43)
The four recognized madhāhib—Ḥanafī, Mālikī, Shāfiʿī, and Ḥanbalī—each represent valid expressions of Sharīʿah grounded in the Qur’ān, Sunnah, and ijmāʿ of the Ummah. It is obligatory to follow qualified opinion in matters of religion unless one is a mujtahid capable of ijtihād.
In situations where Muslims live as minorities in non-Muslim lands, scholars and Sharīʿah councils have addressed the need for taysīr (ease) and rafʿ al-ḥaraj (removal of undue hardship). The Prophet ﷺ said:
“إِنَّ الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ”
“Indeed, the religion is ease.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
Classical jurists accepted the principle of takhayyur (choosing between valid opinions) in cases of necessity or hardship, provided the opinion being followed:
Is grounded in one of the four madhāhib.
Was authentically held by recognized imams of the past.
Does not involve deliberate seeking of concessions (tatabbaʿ al-rukhaṣ) purely out of desire.
The Council of Islamic Fiqh and other fatwā bodies have stated that Muslims in non-Muslim lands may adopt a valid minority opinion if it removes hardship or facilitates the practice of religion—without departing from the bounds of Sharīʿah.
This must be done under scholarly supervision, not personal whim. It is impermissible to combine opinions selectively for worldly convenience or to follow the easiest view without consideration for the weight and basis of each position.
Therefore, following a minority opinion is permitted under necessity, hardship, or benefit to the Muslim community—provided it is a valid view held by traditional scholars and not based on innovation or laxity.
وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ.