Should I follow the easiest madhhab that facilitates the matter for me, or should I follow the other three madhhabs, in the case where one madhhab differs from the other three on a specific issue, knowing that I do not follow any madhhab and do not know which of them is more correct?
It is permissible for common folk to emulate scholars whom they trust in their knowledge and piety. They are not obligated to adhere to a specific madhhab (school of thought). However, following the dispensations (rukhsa) of different jurisprudential schools without a valid Sharia-compliant justification is reprehensible and impermissible according to the majority of scholars. If muftis (issuers of fatwas) differ on an issue for a Muslim, he must act upon what he predominantly believes to be the truth, either by examining the evidence and acting upon the strongest opinion if he is qualified, or by emulating the one he trusts most if he is not qualified. If the opinions are equal in his view and no opinion is preponderant, he may adopt the easiest one, unless he is not confident in its validity.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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