What is the ruling on following a specific madhhab, such as the Shafi'i madhhab? Is it obligatory to adhere to everything mentioned therein? Is it permissible to take directly from the Sunnah without being bound by a specific madhhab, and what are the controls for that? What are the books that one can start with to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah directly?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A Muslim must obey Allah and His Messenger, and the scholars who act upon the Qur'an and . Following a specific (school of thought) is permissible, not obligatory. The correct view is that it is not necessary to adhere to a single madhhab, and there is no objection to following more than one. What is commanded to be followed is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. This does not mean switching between madhahib for the purpose of seeking concessions, but rather adopting the opinion that has the strongest evidence.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/73175
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 73175
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy