Fatwa ID: 08210

Answered by: Maulana Ateiq-ur Rehman

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

I have a question regarding the permissibility of taqlid (following a scholar’s opinion) when no direct Qur’anic or Hadith evidence is cited. Specifically, if a scholar like Sheikh Ibn Baz (rahimahullah) states that a damp impure substance that comes into contact with another material but does not leave visible traces of impurity is still considered pure, yet he does not cite a direct source for this ruling—can such a fatwa be followed without evidence?

Would it be binding for laypeople to accept this based on his authority and scholarly qualification, or should one always require textual proof before following such rulings? I’d like evidence for your fatwas for reassurance.

Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

The word Taqlid literally means to follow. In jurisprudential context it means: “someone following another in what they believe in religion, righteousness and knowledge; in speech and action, believing in its correctness without knowing its evidence..” (Fatawa Fiqh Nawazil p2)

Allah ﷻ says:
“So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.”
(Surat al-Nahl 16:43)

This verse establishes that those who are not scholars should rely on the knowledge of pious Ulema without requiring direct evidence themselves.

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Indeed Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from the people, but He takes away knowledge by taking the scholars, until there remains no scholar and the people begin to ask the ignorant leaders, so they give their verdict without knowledge. They will go astray and lead the people astray.”
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2652)

There are numerous Ahadith that emphasise the importance of seeking guidance from knowledgeable and qualified scholars when faced with religious dilemmas. Likewise, the Qur’an repeatedly commands believers to turn to the people of knowledge for clarity and understanding. It also highlights the duty of scholars to convey the truth with wisdom and sincerity, ensuring that people are guided correctly in matters of faith and practice.

To answer your questions:

Can you do Taqleed in a ruling given by a Mufti without receiving the evidences? The lay person should do their due diligence and ensure to seek clarification from a reputable scholar. If the scholar is reputable then it is not always necessary to have the proof presented; however, it is good practice for the scholar that he provides the proofs to support his opinion.

A fatwa is a Shara’i opinion and is not legally binding. When someone seeks a fatwa, they can choose to accept it or not, as opposed to a Qada (legal ruling) issued by a Qadi (Judge), which is legally binding.

فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

(Surat al-Nahl 16:43)

حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ الْهَمْدَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ انْتِزَاعًا يَنْتَزِعُهُ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلَكِنْ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ بِقَبْضِ الْعُلَمَاءِ حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يَتْرُكْ عَالِمًا اتَّخَذَ النَّاسُ رُءُوسًا جُهَّالاً فَسُئِلُوا فَأَفْتَوْا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ فَضَلُّوا وَأَضَلُّوا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَزِيَادِ بْنِ لَبِيدٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏ وَقَدْ رَوَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ الزُّهْرِيُّ عَنْ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو وَعَنْ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2652 عليه وسلم مِثْلَ هَذَا ‏.‏

(قَوْلُهُ: قُلْنَا إلَخْ) لِأَنَّك لَوْ قَطَعْت الْقَوْلَ لَمَا صَحَّ قَوْلُنَا إنَّ الْمُجْتَهِدَ يُخْطِئُ وَيُصِيبُ أَشْبَاهٌ: أَيْ فَلَا نَجْزِمُ بِأَنَّ مَذْهَبَنَا صَوَابٌ أَلْبَتَّةَ وَلَا بِأَنَّ مَذْهَبَ مُخَالِفِنَا خَطَأٌ أَلْبَتَّةَ، بِنَاءً عَلَى الْمُخْتَارِ مِنْ أَنَّ حُكْمَ اللَّهِ فِي كُلِّ مَسْأَلَةٍ وَاحِدٌ مُعَيَّنٌ وَجَبَ طَلَبُهُ. فَمَنْ أَصَابَهُ فَهُوَ الْمُصِيبُ وَمَنْ لَا فَهُوَ الْمُخْطِئُ. وَنُقِلَ عَنْ الْأَئِمَّةِ الْأَرْبَعَةِ: ثُمَّ الْمُخْتَارُ أَنَّ الْمُخْطِئَ مَأْجُورٌ كَمَا فِي التَّحْرِيرِ وَشَرْحِهِ. مَطْلَبٌ يَجُوزُ تَقْلِيدُ الْمَفْضُولِ مَعَ وُجُودِ الْأَفْضَلِ

كتاب حاشية ابن عابدين = رد المحتار ط الحلبي 1:48 (المكتبة الشاملة)

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Maulana Ateiq-ur Rehman

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham