Which of the two Imams—Al-Shafi'i or Ahmad—possessed greater Fiqh and knowledge of Hadith, Usul, and the Islamic sciences, and what is the difference between their two madhhabs, and which of them is better, and is the Shafi'i madhhab truly the best?
The four schools of thought (madhahib), including the Shafi'i and Ahmadī schools, are great doors to learning, and their imams are mujtahids (independent interpreters of Islamic law). There is no harm for a muqallid (follower of a ) to adhere to any of them. It is not permissible to give preference to one imam over another, for every imam has issues in which his view is more preponderant. No one is permitted to definitively assert the superiority of one imam over another; rather, all followers of a madhhab consider their own madhhab to be the best. The muqallid should choose what he believes is more deserving of the truth, and the mujtahid should follow what he deems preponderant, without caprice or ignorance. It is recommended to continue studying the madhhab that is prevalent in one's country and whose scholars are available, such as the Shafi'i madhhab for those who have studied it, in order to master its principles and branches.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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