Chapter 1: Necessity Of Research About Madhhab
Chapter 1: Necessity Of Research About Madhhab (Islamic Denomination And School Of Thought)
According to the verses of the Holy Qur’an and narrations, it is incumbent upon everyone to make efforts, investigate and research about the religion and madhhab they are to follow.
A. The Holy Qur’an
Regarding those who listen to different schools’ claims and arguments and through their efforts, choose the best, Allah (SWT) says:
فَبَشِّرْ عِبادِ الَّذينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ أُولئِكَ الَّذينَ هَداهُمُ اللَّهُ وَ أُولئِكَ هُمْ أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ
So give good news to My servants; The ones who listen to what is being said, then follow the best of it. These are the ones whom God has guided, and these are the ones who possess intelligence. (The Holy Qur’an, 39:17-18).
B. Narrations
One of the most important reasons for the necessity of researching the true madhhab, which is the correct and valid interpretation of the religion of Islam, is a hadith in the authentic sources of the Sunnis and Shi‘a, entitled “iftiraq al-ummah” (divisions among Muslim nation). According to this narration, the Prophet Muhammad (S) is quoted as saying:
وَتَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَ سَبْعِينَ فِرْقَةً.
“My nation will be divided into 73 sects.”1
According to al-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim al-Nayshaburi, both among great Sunnis scholars, it is an authentic narration.2
Another version of this hadith reads:
وَتَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَ سَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مِلَّةً وَاحِدَةً.
Accordingly, as the followers of our Prophet (S), we should read about different Islamic sects and choose and follow the best denomination called by him as “al-firqah al-najiyah” (the sect reaching salvation).
