Do you have to follow a Madhhab?

Question

Do you have to follow a madhhab, and is it allowed to shift from one teaching to another, for example, from Imam Mālik’s insight to Imam al-Shāfiʿī’s, and vice versa?

Short Summary

A Muslim is not obligated to follow one madhhab in every matter. The obligation is to follow what is most in line with the Qur’an and Sunnah, regardless of which school it comes from. Moving from one madhhab to another is permissible if done sincerely, based on evidence, and without combining rulings in a contradictory way.

Key Points

• Not obligatory to bind yourself to a single madhhab.

• Follow what aligns with the Qur’an and Sunnah.

• Shifting is permissible with sincerity and proof.

• Avoid contradictory mixing of rulings (talfiq).

Detailed Answer

The four madhhabs  Ḥanafī, Mālikī, Shāfiʿī, and Ḥanbalī  are respected methodologies for understanding the Qur’an and Sunnah, but their founders never intended for Muslims to follow them blindly in all matters.

Imam Mālik said:

“Everyone’s opinion can be accepted or rejected, except for the occupant of this grave”  pointing to the Prophet’s ﷺ grave.
(Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, Jāmiʿ Bayān al-ʿIlm, 2/32)

Imam al-Shāfiʿī said:

“If you find in my book something contrary to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, then speak on the Sunnah and leave what I have said.”
(Al-Nawawī, al-Majmūʿ, 1/63)

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ stated:

A Muslim doesn’t need to follow a specific madhhab in all matters; rather, he should follow what he believes is closer to the Qur’an and Sunnah, whether it is in his madhhab or another.
(Fatwa no. 21420)

Conditions for Changing Between Madhhabs

1. Sincerity — Seek truth, not convenience.

2. Evidence — The view must be supported by authentic proofs.

3. Consistency — Avoid contradictory rulings through talfiq.

The Prophet ﷺ would choose the easier of two options when no sin was involved (Bukhārī 3560; Muslim 2327), showing that Shariah allows ease  but not selective following for worldly benefit.

What This Means for You

You can follow different opinions across madhhabs if it’s sincerely for truth, backed by evidence, and consistent  but your guiding standard must always be the Qur’an and Sunnah, not personal convenience.

And Allah Knows Best

References

Primary Sources:

• Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, Jāmiʿ Bayān al-ʿIlm, 2/32

• Al-Nawawī, al-Majmūʿ, 1/63

• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3560; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2327

Secondary Sources:

• Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’, Fatwa no. 21420