Why does one have to follow one Mazhab when all four are correct?

Question

Assalamualaikum.

I understand from my research and asking questions to knowledged people and ulama about the four Mazahib that are followed (Hanafi, Shafai, Maliki & Hambali). I have mostly been told that we need to follow only one of the Mazahib and should not follow other than that one. I do also understand that all four are correct as they have been derived based on the research and studies of the four highly scholared Imams.

My question is that, if all four are correct and are based on Quran and the Ahadees & Sunnah of Rasool Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) can I follow all four Mazahib combined as part of Islam? In situations where there might be differences in opinions (which are usually not very different) can I read and understand each and follow whichevery (out of the four) I wish?

The reason for my question is that all the four are accepted by Muslims and are all correct. Then what compells most of our Ulama to say that we should only choose one of them and follow only that one?

Please advise if I can follow all four as part of the Deen. If not, please provide me a convincing answer with logic and reasoning (which I have been unable to find until now from so many people I have spoken to about this).

Jazak Allah for your response and guidance.

Abdullah Noorgat · Accepted Answer

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

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

Respected Brother, you may refer to a similar question that was answered previously via the following link:

http://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/25249

However, the question that you have posed requires a lengthy discussion. Hence, we advise you to read the following books for a greater understanding on the topic:

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

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

2. Differences of the Imams by Sheikhul Hadeeth Moulana Zakariyya (Rahmatullahi Alayhi)

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

3. The obligation of adhering to a single madhhab in all its rulings by Mufti Zameel-ur-Rahman

http://darulmaarif.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/The-Obligation-of-Adhering-to-a-Single-Madhhab-in-All-its-Rulings-PDF.pdf

And Allah Ta'āla Knows Best

Abdullah Noorgat

Student Darul Ifta

South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

2021-01-01

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