following four imam

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abu'muhammad

Junior Member
:bismillah1:

:salam2:


There are four great Imams, namely Imam Aboo Haneefah, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’ee and Imam Ahmed Ibne Hambal r.h. Ninety-nine percent of ummah follow the teachings of one of these four Imams. The minority that is exposed to such following, usually try to mislead by stating that by following an Imam, one leaves aside the teachings of the Prophet MUhammad ( SAW), and it is him that we are required to follow and not any Imam. The objection is, how ever unfounded and indicates lack of knowledge on the part of those raising it.

This is because we are saying we follow an Imam, we simply mean that we follow the Qur’aan and Hadith under their guidance. They are followed because the ummah unanimously agrees that their works are in total harmony with the Qur’aan and Hadith. One who follows any of the four Imams is, in reality, following the Qur’aan and the Hadith, as every ruling of these great luminaries is in accordance with the Ahaadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

How can a Muslim even contemplate abandoning the Qur’aan and the Hadith? Such a person would no longer remain a Muslim. The teachings of four great Imams are followed because they are based on none other than Qur’aan and Sunnah. Besides, how can following of an Imam be against the Sunnah when we see that even the high ranking scholars of the ummah followed an Imam and refrained from interpreting the Shariah sources themselves.

Following an Imam is Following the Qur’aan & Ahaadith.

As it is impractical for every single individual to undertake an in-depth study of the Qur’aan and Hadith and dedicate him/herself totally towards this cause, without engaging in any other activity, it becomes necessary to follow those who had dedicated their entire lives in studying the Qur’aan and Hadith and proved their competency and capability in interpreting them. If was as if Allah(rabill alamin)Himself had chosen them for this noble work. The science of Hadith, Tafseer and fiqh is so vast that if they had not committed themselves to studying these, we have not been able to follow the Deen in its entirety. They are many Ahaadith which apparently contradicts one another; how would it have been possible to understand and follow them?

Many people who, having made an attempt to study the books of Hadith directly, without any scholarly knowledge, were led astray due to their not comprehending the real essence of the Hadith. Such people first doubted the authenticity of the Ahaadith and then ultimately rejected them. Hence, following the Imaam is a means of safeguarding oneself from such deviation. I repeat, when we say we follow an Imam, this means we follow the Qur’aan and Hadith under his guidance.

lillahil hamd
 

muharram23

New Member
Staff member
salamu alaykum

But why restrict myself to only 4 imams? Or why only follow 1 of the imaams when there were more imaams and scholars greater and more knowledgable than the 4 imaams may Allah have mercy on all of them. Who did the 4 imams take their knowledge from? Someone more knowledgeble than them. Do you know that Imam shaffi was a student of imaam malik r.a and imam ahmed was a student of imam shaffii. Why wasnt imaam shaffi maliki if he studied from him? and why wasnt imam ahmed shaffii when he studied from imaam shafii? or why wasnt imaam ahmmad maliki etc. they all lived in same time.

Because they did not make it a madhaab and say this is my madhaab. Instead they all followed and made rulings (ijtihad) according to the hadith they have. Madhaabs were created after them by people who went into extremes and blind following. Imam malik changed his whole madhaab before he died r.a. One time someone brought him a proof of washing between the toes while taking woodoo. Imam malik asked what the proof was for that. So, a man gave him a hadith stating that resulullah :saw: was washing btw his toes while taking woodoo. After hearing that hadith, imam malik started washing between his toes.

However, all of the great imams may Allah sva have mercy upon them, did not have all the hadith compiled that we have today. We have more hadiths then they had. They didnt have Bukhari, muslim, nesai, tirmithi, ahmed, ibn majjah. So, they were making their rulings according to the hadiths that were available to them. Therefore, there are some cases where the imaams were wrong in their ijtihad. All of the imaam said, "when a sahih hadith comes, then that is my madhab". However, the extreme followers of a madhaab ignore these statements. So, when someone brings forth a hadith saying look resulllah :saw: said this and you are doing this, they say "well, abu hanifa did so, imam malik did so etc" and they might not have a proof for why the imaam was doing that or why he told to do that.

Anyways, In one hadith resulullah :saw: said that

Ibn Mas'ud relates that the Prophet (saws) said, "Whoever has an atom of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise." Then one of his companions asked, "What do you say about someone who likes to dress in fine clothes?" and he answered, "Allah is beautiful and likes that which is beautiful. Arrogance is to deny reality and to consider others beneath oneself."

So, it is from arrogance when proof comes to you that is the truth and you reject it because of some reason as your love for the imaam, or desires, or worldy benefit.

We love all the four imaams and follow and study their books. They have done alot for this ummah and spread alot of knowledge. Their works have reached many people until this day.

InshaAllah we will follow their footsteps. Ameen

Allah knows best

wasalam
 

Musa abu A'isha

Aussie Muslim
They are based upon the Qur'aan and the Sunnah in that they use them as some of their sources in deriving rulings.
Issues occur when other sources are used, such as Qiyaas, customs of the people (of Madinah), Istihsaan. Many people following the Hanafi madhhab also do not accept Ahad Ahaadeeth, even if they are classed as Saheeh.

In reality people following these maddhabs claim to follow the Imams who did indeed attempt to follow the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, but many times end up following the opinions of the madhhab which may go agist what is authentic.
If all 4 madhhabs and their later Imams followed only the correct opinions, they would all preach the same things without difference.

Throw their opinions away, as they instructed us to do when they go agianst the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.
 

Almeftah

Junior Member
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Just wanted to note that:

you can follow at least one of them, but that doesnt mean you cant follow another.
since these four Imams gatherd all kind of rulings and explained each from all aspects..
its ok to follow two, three or even all four of them.
 

Simple1

New Member
More on following Imams (Be peace on all of them)

Another very basic question is that why do someone need to follow only these 4 Imams? Is there any hadith on this? Has our Prophet(SWAS) has ever said that there would be these 4 persons and follow them? The answer is no. Then how can we say that if someone does not follow these 4 Imams are out of Islam?

Another basic question is what will we do for the new problems that are coming to us from time to time? Who will provide the solution? People will say Alim, question is which Alim, what are their exact qualities? Moreover the Ijtihad that were made by these 4 Imams are from the Quran and Sunnah but those are not as eternal as Quran or Sunnah, so there is every possibility that many of those Ijtihads might be non-applicable due the change in the situations especially after several hundred years. I think these are the issues to be decided by true Alims. If they can provide their opinion on present issues then certainly they can provide their opinion and solution to the Ijtihad made by the prior 4 Imams with regard to the present context. We dont have any hadith saying that the muslims are supposed to follow only these 4 Imams and there would not be any scholar better than these 4 Imams after their death. May the Almighty Allah guide us to His true path.
 

Musa abu A'isha

Aussie Muslim
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Just wanted to note that:

you can follow at least one of them, but that doesnt mean you cant follow another.
since these four Imams gatherd all kind of rulings and explained each from all aspects..
its ok to follow two, three or even all four of them.
I think what you meant to say is that we many take from either of them.
If one follows a maddhab it means he or she takes from it exclusively, and that is how it is understood by all.

Most who blindly follow a madhhab demand that the follower only takes from the teachers of his/her madhhab, whereas they should be taught to follow what has the best evidence and is percieved to be the most true in light of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.
 

abubaseer

tanzil.info
Staff member
Who is Nursi ?

And why there is no proof from Quran, hadeeth or quotes from the Salaf in his 6 points ?

Anyways, he didnot say anything about following 4 madhabs.

Making Ijtihaad and and not following the Madhabs blindly are two different things.
 

Simple1

New Member
can you please give specific reason and refererence from Quran and Hadiths? There can be even 12 reasons as against to those of 6 reasons that a true scholar can have his Ijtihad.
 

abubaseer

tanzil.info
Staff member
As Salaam Alaykum Sister Simple1,

The topic is not even about doing Ijtihaad.

If a person is not sticking to one of the four Imams by blindly following him. It is not Ijtihaad. He is following one of the other three or many of the other Imaams about whom which people never talk about!

Why people only talk of 4 Imaams ?
Who limited the number of Imaams to four ?
Shouldn't we also follow other Imams ?

If it was so strict to FOLLOW ONLY ONE among four Imams, why did the students of Imaam Abu Haneefa (No'maan Bin Thaabit) Rahimahullah did not take half of his rulings??

The Hanafi Madhab as of today has less than 50% of rulings by Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah, rest are by his students.
 

mezeren

Junior Member
Who is Nursi ?

And why there is no proof from Quran, hadeeth or quotes from the Salaf in his 6 points ?

Anyways, he didnot say anything about following 4 madhabs.

Making Ijtihaad and and not following the Madhabs blindly are two different things.

:salam2:

you can learn who is he if you want but it is not important since what he says here are relevant.i wish you read before saying what you said.if you see anything against quran or sunnah,let me know.the whole text is about following madhaps especially 4 of them and if you read conclucion carefully you can see examples there.
one should never follow anything blindly so again i say,take your time and read.
 

abubaseer

tanzil.info
Staff member
:salam2:

you can learn who is he if you want but it is not important since what he says here are relevant.i wish you read before saying what you said.if you see anything against quran or sunnah,let me know.the whole text is about following madhaps especially 4 of them and if you read conclucion carefully you can see examples there.
one should never follow anything blindly so again i say,take your time and read.

As Salaam Alaykum Sister,

I tried reading it, there were no proofs from Quran and Sunnah in his points so after a while I gave up.
 

mezeren

Junior Member
As Salaam Alaykum Sister Simple1,

The topic is not even about doing Ijtihaad.

If a person is not sticking to one of the four Imams by blindly following him. It is not Ijtihaad. He is following one of the other three or many of the other Imaams about whom which people never talk about!

Why people only talk of 4 Imaams ?
Who limited the number of Imaams to four ?
Shouldn't we also follow other Imams ?

If it was so strict to FOLLOW ONLY ONE among four Imams, why did the students of Imaam Abu Haneefa (No'maan Bin Thaabit) Rahimahullah did not take half of his rulings??

The Hanafi Madhab as of today has less than 50% of rulings by Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah, rest are by his students.

i agree about the number of imams.of course it is not limited to 4 but today majority of muslims follow these 4 school.and that does not mean they are the only one.
 

abubaseer

tanzil.info
Staff member
i agree about the number of imams.of course it is not limited to 4 but today majority of muslims follow these 4 school.and that does not mean they are the only one.

Sister Mezeren,

Then how can we say that people who:
1. Try to follow 4 Imaams plus the other forgotten Imaams.
2. and donot insist on blindly sticking to one Imam only
3. But follow any Imaam who has a stronger proof from Quran And Sunnah

are doing Ijtihaad ?

Aren't they in fact following all the Imaams instead of just one out of four ?
 

abu turaab

Junior Member
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Just wanted to note that:

you can follow at least one of them, but that doesnt mean you cant follow another.
.
:salam2: following at least one with the intention of also getting from other imams!!....meaning actualy following none...yet following asool
the principle...which almost all of the imams have said....that..."take from(the source) of which i took!!" i.e. the sunnah bcz only that could be the ultimate unifying factor for the muslim ummah rather to follow any one of the imams....that would rip the cloth of unity of the ummah apart as we've been observing for a long time!!!...
 

Mohsin

abdu'Allah
:salam2:

The only unifying factor is that Ulama themselves try to consult each and other and other than this there is no way of uniting the Ummah and if the Ulama are not UNITED how can we expect the Ummah to be united.
And by the Mercy of Allâh, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh¬hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allâh's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allâh, certainly, Allâh loves those who put their trust (in Him). (159)
And those who answer the Call of their Lord [i.e. to believe that He is the only One Lord (Allâh), and to worship none but Him Alone], and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them; (38)
 

abu turaab

Junior Member
:bismillah1:

:salam2:


Ninety-nine percent of ummah follow the teachings of one of these four Imams. The minority that is exposed to such following, usually try to mislead by stating that by following an Imam, one leaves aside the teachings of the Prophet MUhammad ( SAW), and it is him that we are required to follow and not any Imam. The objection is, how ever unfounded and indicates lack of knowledge on the part of those raising it.

This is because we are saying we follow an Imam, we simply mean that we follow the Qur’aan and Hadith under their guidance. They are followed because the ummah unanimously agrees that their works are in total harmony with the Qur’aan and Hadith. One who follows any of the four Imams is, in reality, following the Qur’aan and the Hadith, as every ruling of these great luminaries is in accordance with the Ahaadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

How can a Muslim even contemplate abandoning the Qur’aan and the Hadith? Such a person would no longer remain a Muslim. The teachings of four great Imams are followed because they are based on none other than Qur’aan and Sunnah. Besides, how can following of an Imam be against the Sunnah when we see that even the high ranking scholars of the ummah followed an Imam and refrained from interpreting the Shariah sources themselves.

Following an Imam is Following the Qur’aan & Ahaadith.

As it is impractical for every single individual to undertake an in-depth study of the Qur’aan and Hadith and dedicate him/herself totally towards this cause, without engaging in any other activity, it becomes necessary to follow those who had dedicated their entire lives in studying the Qur’aan and Hadith and proved their competency and capability in interpreting them. If was as if Allah(rabill alamin)Himself had chosen them for this noble work. The science of Hadith, Tafseer and fiqh is so vast that if they had not committed themselves to studying these, we have not been able to follow the Deen in its entirety. They are many Ahaadith which apparently contradicts one another; how would it have been possible to understand and follow them?

Many people who, having made an attempt to study the books of Hadith directly, without any scholarly knowledge, were led astray due to their not comprehending the real essence of the Hadith. Such people first doubted the authenticity of the Ahaadith and then ultimately rejected them. Hence, following the Imaam is a means of safeguarding oneself from such deviation. I repeat, when we say we follow an Imam, this means we follow the Qur’aan and Hadith under his guidance.

lillahil hamd
:salam2: its not a fact that ninety nine percent of the muslim world follow one imam...even if it were so...the majority ever follows the wrong way or falsehood...the Qur'an says that!!..."if you follow the way of majority on earth...they would have lead you astray from the right path".
by the way who are the people who gone astrayed by studying the sunnah of the Prophet[S.A.W.](that's also called hadiths of the Prophet as a synonym)..its just like that many people died by following the prescription of a worldly renowed and authenticised Doctor because they didn't heed to the ocults of a final year medical student who can't treat even one serious patient with full authenticity...so bcz these people didn't put safeguard of any of the final year student who's still not sure of passing his exam successfuly....that is the reason there are so many deaths among such ignorant people!!!!!..."so take the advice....o people with an indepth sight"
:wasalam:
 

abu'muhammad

Junior Member
brother abu turaab,

its not mentioned by shaikh that "99% muslim people follow one imam" but its as under

"Ninety-nine percent of ummah follow the teachings of one of these four Imams."

ur mistaken to understand the text.

allah knows best

lillahil hamd.
 

abu turaab

Junior Member
brother abu turaab,

its not mentioned by shaikh that "99% muslim people follow one imam" but its as under

"Ninety-nine percent of ummah follow the teachings of one of these four Imams."

ur mistaken to understand the text.

allah knows best

lillahil hamd.
the word Ummah refers to a group of people with one unified thinking...this is not the case with muslims now-a-days!!...thats why i chose the word Muslim world upon Ummah...so where am mistaken?...
 
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