Answer: I am sorry I could not understand what do you mean by entering Islam? I believe that if the holy Prophet (sws) would be alive and we were enjoying the blessing of learning directly from him, there would not have been a chance for a believer to attach to any particular fiqh. But after the demise of the Prophet (sws), even the scholars of ḥadīth have no choice but to consult the opinions of other scholars in various situations. A layman cannot understand the holy Qur'an and the Sunnah by himself. He has no option save to accept the opinion of the scholars. Asking him to study Qur'an and Ḥadīth independently ignoring the opinions and researches of the scholars can prove lethal for his religious self. The best option for such a man is that he should consider the Qur’ān and Ḥadīth, the only sources of the religion, and should accept only such views of the scholars as seem compatible with the evidences given in the holy Book of God and Sunnah. If he find a counter opinion by any other scholar, he should not reject it but through evidences and, in this regard, he should seek guidance from his religious mentor. If he finds that the view of the differing person is nearer to the ḥadīth and the Sunnah, he should accept it and his affiliation to his school should not hinder his correction. But it should be noted that one should differ or adhere to a particular group or school only for the cause of Allah and in obedience to His Prophet (sws).
Taqlid is a natural weakness. It can be condemned only when it hinders the path of righteousness and when a person denies the truth despite knowing it.
(Translated into English by Abid Mahmood) |
