Our Shaykh, Muḥammad ibn Ḥizām -may Allāh preserve him- was asked the following question:
Question: The questioner says: What is the difference between ittibā' and Taqlīd?
Answer: Ittibā' is to follow an imām based on evidence which he provides from the Sharī'ah; this is called ittibā' - not taqlīd. It is not blameworthy to refer to oneself as a follower of a particular Imām/scholar - if this is based on evidence. The evidence for that i.e. to say that I follow Imām so-and-so intending by that adherence to the Sharī‘ evidences, is the ḥadīth of Al-Irbādh ibn Ṣāriyah; that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
"Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs. Cling firmly to it with your molars."
A more explicit evidence is the saying of Allāh - in reference to the Companions, may Allāh be pleased with them all:
{وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِینَ وَٱلۡأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِینَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحۡسَـٰنࣲ}
“As for the foremost—the first of the Emigrants and the Helpers—and those who follow them (ittaba‘ūhum) in goodness,”
[Sūrah At-Tawbah 100]
So He (The Almighty) called that ittibā‘; although what's intended is adhering to the Sharī‘ evidences.
Similarly, the saying of Allāh:
{وَمَن یُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَیَّنَ لَهُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَیَتَّبِعۡ غَیۡرَ سَبِیلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ}
“And whoever defies the Messenger after guidance has become clear to them and follows a path (yattabi‘) other than that of the believers,”
[Sūrah An-Nisā' 115]
Indicating that following the path of the believers may be referred to as ittibā'.
Likewise, it comes in the ḥadīth (that the Prophet ﷺ said): “If they obey Abū Bakr and ‘Umar, they will be rightly guided,” and in another ḥadīth: “Follow the two after me; i.e. Abū Bakr and ‘Umar;” the first ḥadīth is reported by Muslim on the authority of Abū Qatādah, and the second is reported by Aḥmad on the authority of Ḥudhayfah - raḍhiyallāhu ‘anhu-.
Also, (another evidence is) the general meaning found within the saying of Allāh:
{ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَن لَّا یَسۡـَٔلُكُمۡ أَجۡرࣰا وَهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ}
“Follow those who ask no reward of you, and are ˹rightly˺ guided.”
[Sūrah Yā-Sīn 21]
And this Āyah extends beyond the Prophets.
As for Taqlīd (blind following); it is to follow someone who is not himself a ḥujjah (evidence) without ḥujjah (evidence)
And concerning this Allāh the Almighty said:
{ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَاۤ أُنزِلَ إِلَیۡكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ أَوۡلِیَاۤءَۗ قَلِیلࣰا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ}
“Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and do not take others as guardians besides Him.”
[Sūrah Al-A'rāf 3]
And all Praises and thanks belong to Allāh, Lord of everything.
______
Translated by: Abū Isḥāq Muḥammad Ibn Aḥmad Bā 'Alawī
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Original Fatwa:
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