Following the Four Imams
Ques. Muslims learn at a very young age that there are four imams whom we can follow in religious matters.
However, some people say that we must not follow these four imams, but we must follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Please comment.
Ans. It is true that we must follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The four imams, and all scholars for that matter,
agree that these two are the sources to be followed. Indeed, in all their efforts, the four imams, and all scholars,
have sought to make it easier for a Muslim to follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah. They simply explained what the Qur’
an and the Sunnah say about all sorts of problems, and gave guidance on how to implement them.
If you are troubled by someone who insists on this view, you can ask him: If a person is not in a position to
understand the Qur’anic text or the Hadith statement properly, how would he know what the Qur’an and the Sunnah
requires?
He will say that he must refer to a scholar who would explain it to him. This is what was done by the four imams and
this is what other scholars do now.
Ques. Muslims learn at a very young age that there are four imams whom we can follow in religious matters.
However, some people say that we must not follow these four imams, but we must follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Please comment.
Ans. It is true that we must follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The four imams, and all scholars for that matter,
agree that these two are the sources to be followed. Indeed, in all their efforts, the four imams, and all scholars,
have sought to make it easier for a Muslim to follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah. They simply explained what the Qur’
an and the Sunnah say about all sorts of problems, and gave guidance on how to implement them.
If you are troubled by someone who insists on this view, you can ask him: If a person is not in a position to
understand the Qur’anic text or the Hadith statement properly, how would he know what the Qur’an and the Sunnah
requires?
He will say that he must refer to a scholar who would explain it to him. This is what was done by the four imams and
this is what other scholars do now.
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