Fatwa ID: 01792

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

When an Imam decides something (such as Hanifa, Shafi) we can follow it. What I want to know is whether the relied upon position on a matter in a madhab can be different to what the leader of a madhab (like Abu Hanifa for the Hanafis) decided on that issue. Can this ever be the case? If so, then, can we follow either of the two positions or do we have to follow the Imam's position alone. Which is the safer route? 

Answer:

In the Hanafi School rulings are given on the opinions of Imam Abu Hanifa . But sometimes due to necessity or even due to easiness rulings can be given on the opinions of Imam Muhammad , Qadi Abu Yusuf and Imam Zufar , who by the way were all mujtahid Imams in their own right. In such a situation one will be allowed to act upon the other opinions besides the opinion of Imam Abu Hanif . 

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.