The 4 Imams statements for those who follow them blindly :
❝Indeed the 4 IMĀMS PROHIBITED blind following them and blamed who took their opinions without proof.❞
[Ibn Qayyim, I’lām al-Muwaqqīn 2/139]
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Abu Hanifah رحمه الله :
"When I say something contradicting the Book of Allāh سبحانه وتعالى or what is narrated from the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, then ignore my saying.” [Iqadh Himam Ulil albab by Imam Salih al Fulani, p, 50] ⠀
“What has come from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, then we take it without hesitation, and what has come from his companions we select from them as long as we do not depart from their sayings (in totality)." [Ibn Abd al Barr, Al-Intiqa fi fadhail ath-thalatha al-aimmah al-fuqaha, p.144] ⠀
“When a hadith is found to be sahih (authentic), then that is my adopted position.” [Hashiya of Ibn ‘Abidin, Vol 1 p, 63. Iqadh Himam Ulil albab by Imam Salih al Fulani, p.62] ⠀
"It is not permitted for anyone to accept our views if they do not know from where we got them from.’’ [Ibn ‘Ashur, Maqasid p, 26 IIT] ⠀
Malik Ibn Anas رحمه الله :
“Indeed I am only a human : I make mistakes (sometimes) and I am correct (sometimes). Therefore, look into my opinions : all that agrees with the Book and the Sunnah accept it ; and all that does not agree with the Book and the Sunnah, ignore it.’’ [Ibn Abd al Barr, Jami’ Bayan al-Ilm wa fadhlihi, Vol 1, p.775 no, 1435] ⠀
“The Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم passed away and the affair has been completed ; therefore the athar (narrations) of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم should be followed, and (mere) opinions should not be followed.” [Iqadh Himam Ulil albab by Imam Salih al Fulani, p, 18] ⠀
Muhammad Ibn Idris al-Shafi’i رحمه الله :
"In every issue where the people of narration find a report from the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم to be sahih which is contrary to what I have said, then I take my saying back, whether during my life or after my death." [Ibn Naim, Hilyatul Awlaiya, vol 9, p.107] ⠀
"Every hadith on the authority of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم is also my view, even if you do not hear it from me." [Ibn Abi Hatim, Adab al-Shafi’i, p.94 ; al-dhahabi, Siyar ‘alam al-nubala, vol 10, p.35] ⠀
"For everything I say, if there is something authentic from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم contrary to my saying, then the hadith of the Prophet comes first, therefore do not taqlid (blind-following) of my opinion.” [Ibn Abi Hatim, Adab al-Shafi’i, p.94 ; Hilyatul awliya, vol 9 p.107, al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Shafi’i, vol 1 p.473] ⠀
“The sunnah of the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم reach, as well as escape from, every one of us. So whenever I voice my opinion, or formulate a principle, where something contrary to my view exists on the authority of the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم then the correct view is what the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم has stated, and it is my view.” [Al-Bayhaqi, Manaqib al-Shafi’i, vol 1, p.475 ; al-Fulani, 63,100] ⠀
“If you find in my book (writings) something different to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم, then speak on the basis of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم, and leave what I have said.” [Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله, I’lam al-Muwaqqi’in, vol 2, p.361] ⠀
Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله :
“Do not follow my opinion ; neither follow the opinion of Malik, nor Shafi’i, nor Awza’i, nor Thawri, but take from where they took.’’ [Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله, ‘Ilam al-Muwaqi’in, vol 2, p.201] ⠀
“The opinion of Awza’i, the opinion of Malik, the opinion of Abu Hanifah : all of it is opinion, and it is all equal in my eyes. However, the proof is in the athar (narrations).’’ [Ibn Abd al-Barr, Jami’ Bayan al-‘Ilm, vol 2, p.1072 no:2107]
