And as for the madaahib [1] then they are the opinions of the people of knowledge and their understanding of some of the masaa’il (issues) and their deductions. And the following of these opinions and deductions and understandings was not made obligatory by Allaah
and His Messenger 
on anyone. For verily in them is that which is correct
and that which is wrong and is not exclusively correct except that which
is established or confirmed upon the Messenger of Allaah . And much
of what the Imaams chose as their opinion in a particular was changed by
them after the truth was manifested to them. [2]
So with this whomsoever desires to enter the deen
of Islaam and desires to be honored with Imaan then there is nothing upon
him other than the testification that nothing is worthy of worship of Allaah
and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah and to establish the
five prayer and to give the zakaah and to fast the month of Ramadaan and
to make Hajj to the House if he is capable to do so.
And as for the following of a madhab from the madaahib or other than them then it is not obligatory nor is it recommended. And it is not upon a Muslim to necessitate oneself to a particular one from them, in fact the one who necessitates himself to a particular madhab from them then he is a fanatical blind follower who is in the wrong. And he is from amongst those who divided the religion and became groups, and indeed Allaah has prohibited division in the religion.
So Allaah
says (which means):
"Verily, those who divide their religion and break up
into sects (all kinds of religious sects), you (O Muhammad )
have no concern in them in the least." [Surah
Al-An'am (The Cattle) Verse
159
]
And He
says (which means):
"and be not of AlMushrikun (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah, polytheists, idolaters, etc.). Of those who split up their religion , and became sects, [i.e. they invented new things in the religion (Bid'ah), and followed their vain desires], each sect rejoicing in that which is with it." [Surah Ar-Rum (The Romans) Verses 31 to 32 ]
So the deen of Islaam is One. There is no madhab
or path which is obligatory to follow except the path of the Messenger
of Allaah and his guidance. And Allaah
says (which means):
"Say (O Muhammad ):
"This is my way; I invite
unto Allaah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite
others to Allaah ) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allaah.
And I am not of the Mushrikun ." [Surah
Yusuf (Joseph) Verse
108
]
And disputes have increased among those who blindly
follow without knowledge these madaahib. And Allaah
says (which means):
"And obey Allaah and His Messenger, and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient. Surely, Allaah is with those who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.)." [Surah Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War) Verse 46 ]
And He
orders unity and to firmly
cling to His book.
"And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope
of Allah (i.e. this Qur'aan), and be not divided among yourselves."
[Surah
Aali Imran (The Family of Imran) Verse
103
]
Footnotes:
[1] [Translators Footnote] pl. of
madhab, Madhab: way, juristic school of thought
[2] The writer is establishing some
known rules that are with the students of knowledge: The matters in the
madhaahib are said upon opinions only and they are matters of deductions
and they do not have with them a text and it is not waajib (mandatory)
to follow them but it is permissible to follow them if one thinks them
to be correct.
Author: Muhammad Sultan al-Ma’soomi
Source: Hal al-Muslim Mulzim bittibaa’I
madhab mu’aiyyin
Translated by : Kashif bin Hazoor
Khan as-Salafi’
Footnotes by : Shaykh saleem al-Hilaali