Question Summary:
Following a madhab

Question Detail:

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Dear brother in Islam,

The four Madhhabs, Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali are on haq. They are different schools of thoughts with academic differences on their approach to the Quran and Hadith in deducing the laws of Shariah. Differences of opinions are inevitable in every science and it is appreciated.

There is no need to feel embarrassed by the laughing and mocking of non-Muslims on academic differences as their attitude is based on their ignorance.

Furthermore, the various schools of thoughts meant for us to sincerely practice on Deen and serves as an administrative issue. These two points are elaborated in the following articles on Taqleed:  

The legal status of following a Mazhab by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani:

http://www.islamibayanaat.com/EnglishLiterature/LegalStatusOfFollowingAMadhab-MuftiTaqiUsmani.pdf                                                                        

Differences of the Imams by Sheikhul Hadeeth Moulana Zakariyya (RahmatullahiAlayhi):              

http://www.slideshare.net/IslamicBooks/differences-of-the-imams-by-shaykh-zakariyya-kandhelvi-ra 

Every Muqallid (adherent of a Madhhab) is required to adhere to the rulings of his Madhhab and tolerate the rulings of the other Madhahib. The Madhhabs actually complement each other unlike differences with deviated sects and religions. 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Tareque Ahmed

Student Darul Iftaa
New York, USA

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.