Statement of Imam Shafi’i (Rahmatullahi Alaiyh) about not making Taqleed

Very often, people present the statement of Imam Shafi’i (Rahmatullahi Alaiyh) as a proof to prohibit the following of an Imam in order to practice Deen. According to their statement, Imam Shafi’i (Rahmatullahi Alaiyh) has said that if a Hadith goes against his statement, then that Hadith must be taken into consideration and his statement must be ignored. 

It should be noted that to find a Hadith that contradicts the statement of an Aa'lim who has attained the degree of a Mujtahid, is not a small task. And it is not in the ability of everyone. That is why Allaamah An-Nawawi (Rahmatullahi Alaiyh) has said that this applies to a person who has attained the rank of a Mujtahid. This does not apply to everyone. It is very difficult to find a person of such calibre nowadays. 

Allaamah An-Nawawi (Rahmatullahi Alaiyh) is an Aa'lim of the seventh century Hijri. He was a great Aa'lim and there were great Ulama during his time. He was referring to this era when he said that it is difficult to find a person of such calibre nowadays. So, just think about it, how difficult will it be today in the 15th century to find a person of this calibre. That is why the statement that they are putting forward to prohibit making Taqleed, is not a valid argument. Rather, it is an argument against what they want to prove.

[English version of "La declaration de Imam Shafi’ (Rahmatoullahi ‘Alaiyh) lors pas faire Taqleed" – Al Jamiat – Vol.2 No.8]