I have two questions that have been bothering me for a while. First, I heard from many knowledgeable people that Nabi-e-Kareem (PBUH), did rafajdain in Salaat before going for Rukuh and Sajda. I also heard that there are more Hadees about Nabi (PBUH) doing rafajdain than not doing rafajdain. Please give an elaborative answer. Secondly, There was no concept of Hanafi, Shafai, Humbali and Maliki, during the time Nabi (PBUH), why is the Muslim umma divided on this concept of four Imams, when did it started, why did it started. Should we be following one of these Imams or the Nabi (PBUH), through whom the Islam came to all of these Imams.
(1) Almost all the Sahabas, including Al-Qulfa-u-Rashidoun, Asharat-ul-Mubas-Shirah and even Abdullah ibne Umar (R.A.) who narrated most of the Ahadeeth regarding raf-ul-yadain are reported to have not performed raf-ul-yadian in their salaats. They are reported to have performed only takbeer-e-tahreema in their salaats.
(2) Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) used to perform rafa-ul-yadian during the earlier period of his prophethood, and He stop doing rafa-ul-yadian during the later years of his life. Therefore, the act of rafa-ul-yadain will be considered “Mansookh” abrogated or overruled. In Hanafi school of thought rafa-ul-yadian is not performed, and the opinion is in favor of not performing it then performing it.
Details of all the branches of Deen can be known through one of the Four Imaams who exerted their utmost efforts to research all the aspects and Ahkaam of the Deen. For a normal person, it is difficult to know the details of each and everything just by studying Quran and Ahadees by him/herself. Therefore, it is important to follow at-least one of the Four Imaams to be able to obey all the injunctions of the Deen. This concept is known as the concept of Taqleed and it’s mentioned in the Holy Quran – “If you don’t know anything, than you can ask those who know it.”
(2) Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) used to perform rafa-ul-yadian during the earlier period of his prophethood, and He stop doing rafa-ul-yadian during the later years of his life. Therefore, the act of rafa-ul-yadain will be considered “Mansookh” abrogated or overruled. In Hanafi school of thought rafa-ul-yadian is not performed, and the opinion is in favor of not performing it then performing it.
Details of all the branches of Deen can be known through one of the Four Imaams who exerted their utmost efforts to research all the aspects and Ahkaam of the Deen. For a normal person, it is difficult to know the details of each and everything just by studying Quran and Ahadees by him/herself. Therefore, it is important to follow at-least one of the Four Imaams to be able to obey all the injunctions of the Deen. This concept is known as the concept of Taqleed and it’s mentioned in the Holy Quran – “If you don’t know anything, than you can ask those who know it.”
Sahaba Akram also used to do Taqleed. There were some “Mujtahid” Mufti sahabas, and other sahabas used to ask them regarding their religious concerns. Besides this, there were many “Imaams” and “Mujthids” in the past, but the Fiqh (schools of thought) of Four Imaams were well preserved and people all over the world followed them.
Bringing the whole Ummah’s Islamic practice into the fold of these four schools of thought is a ‘rahmat’ blessing and protection from Fitnah and astray, and not to follow these Four Imaam and try to practice individually just by seeking knowledge from Quran and Hadith will undoubtedly bring about tribulations and havoc.
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