Q: Where is the source in Islam that states you have to follow a madhab? If one isn’t following a madhab, is that then a sin?
A: The Imams of the Madhabs have extracted the laws of the Madhab from the Qur’aan and Sunnah. By doing so, they have made practicing on the Deen easy for us. We do not have the necessary knowledge, expertise and insight to do so. Thus it is absolutely necessary for us to follow one of them. Following any one of them is following the Qur’aan and Sunnah.
The concept of following a reliable person in matters of Deen is established from the Qur’aan and Sunnah. The books on Hadeeth are replete with such narrations.
a) The Hadeeth of Sayyidina Hudhayfah in Tirmidhi (Baab Manaaqib ibni Yaasir).
b) The Hadeeth of Sayyidina Irbaadh ibni Saariyah in Ibni Maajah (Baab Ittibaa’ Sunnatil Khulafaa ir Raashideen).
c) The Hadeeth of Sayyidina Umar ibnul Khattaab in Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Baab Manaaqib Quraysh).
d) The Hadeeth of Sayyidina Mu’aadh ibni Jabal in Abu Dawood (Baab Ijtihaadir Ra’y), etc.
(Radhiyallaahu Anhum).
It is gross ignorance to believe that by following one of the Imams, one is not following the Qur’aan and Sunnah. In fact, there is the distinct danger of going completely astray by not following one of these illustrious Imams. Experience has proven that those who do not follow one of these great Imams become confused and misled. By living according to their teachings we are living according to Quran. May Allah Ta’aala guide us to His pleasure. Aameen.
Moulana Yusuf Laher