Real Foundations of Islam

continued from ... Following Certain Madhhab

Real and true Islam is based on the Book (Qur'ân) and the Prophet's Sunnah.
These two are the true sources of reference and precedent in each and-every
controversial issue. Anyone who tries to find the solution of the disputed issue
in some other source except Qur'ân the Sunnah, according to Qur'ân, is not a
true believer:

"But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith until they make you ( ‫صلى‬
‫ )هللا عليه و سلم‬judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves
no resistance against your decision, and accept (them) with full
submission." (4:65)

None of the Imams urged to anyone to follow their Madhahib, on the other
hand all of the Imams advised:

"Take from where we have taken."

In other words follow the Qur’ân and Sunnah. Many of the sayings of later
religious leaders, which were inaccurate, were attributed towards Imams and
their sects. If they had happened to see or hear those statements which had
been referred and attached to their names, they would have not only disowned
the statements but also disapproved of them strongly.

All the religious scholars of olden times who were considered to be the
luminaries of Islamic knowledge, always brought evidence from the Qur'ân and
Sunnah, and they always urged people to follow the Qur’ân and Sunnah, and
to take counsel from these two sources. It is a proved fact that Imam Abu
Hanifa, Imam Mâlik, Imam Shafe‘i, Imam Ahmad, Sufyan Thauri, Sufyan bin
'Uainah, Hasan Basari, Qadi Abu Yousuf, Muhammad bin Hasan Shaibani,
Imam Auzai, Abdullah bin Mubarak, Imam Bukhâri, Imam Muslim. and other
 Real Foundations of Islam

venerable religious scholars always warned the people against making

innovations in religious matters. They always advised people to be careful and
cautioned them against following anyone except the sinless Prophet ‫صلى هللا عليه و‬
‫ سلم‬no one is sinless except him, however pious and God-fearing he may be. So,
anything which is in accordance with the Qur'ân and Sunnah is acceptable
and anything which is contrary to or inconsistent with the Qur’ân and Sunnah
is will be rejected altogether. Imam Mâlik said: "The views and opinions of
everybody may be accepted or rejected except his who is resting in this grave."
While saying this, Imam Mâlik pointed towards the grave of the Prophet ‫صلى هللا‬
‫عليه و سلم‬. All the religious scholars and Imams warned and prevented the people
from mindless and blind imitation. Allâh at many places in the Noble Qur’ân
has rebuked such blind followers. History is witness that mindless and blind
following of religious leaders and ancestors leads the people to infidelity.

All of the four prevalent Imams have said that it is neither permissible nor
justified to give a judicial verdict based on their word or deed unless the
reason behind that particular word or deed is understood clearly and
completely. They have also elucidated:

"If an authentic Hadith is found, then that is my Madhahib."

This means, if an authentic Hadith is found, their word is repealed at once

and has no significance before the Hadith; and their faith is completely in
accordance with that Hadith. Likewise it is also expressed from the four
Imams:

"Judge our words on the criterion of Qur'ân and Sunnah, and if you
find our words corresponding to the Qur’ân and Sunnah then, accept
them, otherwise turn them down."