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Is it permissible to adopt the weaker opinion in the matter of ritual purity for Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) after events have occurred that are difficult to rectify, and is embarking on fasting for some days of the prohibitions considered an adherence to the majority of scholars, which prevents deviating to another opinion?

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Scholars differed concerning the obligation for a layperson to adhere to a specific madhhab (school of thought). The preponderant opinion is that it is not obligatory for him to do so, and he is permitted to move from one madhhab to another, as long as he does not intend manipulation or to merely seek out concessions. Regarding purity for Tawaf (circumambulation), there are three opinions: its obligation (the opinion of the majority of scholars), its being obligatory but compensable with a dam [sacrifice] (the opinion of Abu Hanifa and one narration from Ahmad), and its being a sunnah (the choice of Ibn Taymiyyah and the preferred view of Al-Uthaymeen). The questioner is permitted to adopt the fatwa of the judge which states the validity of Tawaf without purity, because a layperson may emulate whomever he wishes among the people of knowledge and may move between madhahib.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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