A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
Taqlid (blind imitation).
Taqlid refers to following a scholar or a mufti in everything they issue,
regardless of whether it aligns with the truth or contradicts it.
All the Imams forbade this type of taqlid and condemned it.
The obligation upon one who is not a scholar varies according to their level of knowledge.
If one is a student of knowledge, their duty is ittiba‘ (informed following).
This means taking a ruling from the scholars along with its evidence,
and choosing the opinion they see as most sound based on the evidence.
If one does not possess the ability to weigh the evidence,
or is among the common people who do not understand the evidence and how to weigh it,
then their duty is to follow the opinion of the one they believe to be the most pious and righteous,
and whose breadth of knowledge they have benefited from,
and in whom their heart finds tranquility regarding that matter.
A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.