The Relationship Between: Taqleed, Mathahab (Madthabs), and Fatwa

written by: Sheila Quinn

Qur’an:
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), in the Taurat and the Gospel:-for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure);: he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper.”
(Sura: A’raaf (The Heights); ayah #157).

“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as you religion.” (5:3)

“Say who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He hath produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure (which He hath provided) for sustenance?...”
(Sura: A’raaf (The Heights); ayah # 32.

“Oh ye who believe! Make not unlawful the good things which Allah hath made lawful for you,…”
(Sura: Maida (The Table Spread); ayah # 87.

Hadeeth
“Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray.” (Sahih Muslim)
(Source: “Ar- Raheeq Al – Makhtum” (The Sealed Nectar; chapter: “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)


What is the relationship between these three? All three are contrary to The Qur’an and the Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad, and all three are misguidance. What is haram or forbidden in Islam? What is haram is that which The Creator, Himself, has forbidden in The Qur’an or in the Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Everything else is halal. Islam is the guidance of The Creator. It was completed during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad.

What is Taqleed? What is Mathahab? What is Fatwa?

Taqleed is a Muslim form of personality cults. Anyone who is involved in taqleed perceive and treat a scholar/or a group of scholars as if he/they were a Prophet(s) of God. And therefore they follow that scholar or group of scholars. Anyone who is involved in taqleed is following a certain scholar/or scholars, and therefore is not following Prophet Muhammad.

Mathahab is plural for Madthab. Madthab is a certain "school" of Islamic Jurisprudence. There are four well known and accepted "schools of jurisprudence". Their function is to say if something is lawful or forbidden. Yet, it is Allah, Himself, who makes things lawful or unlawful. He made things clear in The Qur'an and in The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad what is unlawful. He also made it clear in The Qur'an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad that everything that He didn't make unlawful is in fact lawful. There is no need for the Mathahab. Allah knows everything. He knows what is in the future, as well as, what issues would come up in the future. Mathahab is a product of Taqleed-and therefore like Taqleed-it is a form of Shirk (giving partners to the One God).

Fatwa is the personal opinion of an Islamic Scholar as to the lawfulness of an item or behavior. Allah, Himself, is The One who makes things lawful and unlawful. He made it clear in both The Qur'an and The Sunneh what is unlawful(forbidden). Only Allah makes things unlawful. It is totally unacceptable for anyone else to say that something is unlawful when Allah did not make it unlawful.

Why are these three contrary to The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad? The Islamic Faith consists only of The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Anything else is not part of the Islamic Faith. Neither the personal opinions of this Sahabee or that Sahabee, nor the opinions of the Ulema (Scholars), are part of The Islamic Faith.

All three of them are misguidance. Every time that Allah sends guidance to humanity, He allows misguidance to follow. The misguidance that He allowed to follow after the death of Prophet Muhammad includes: Taqleed, Mathahab, and Fatwa.

Such statements are contrary to what is taught to Muslims by many scholars. But, why am I making such statements? Because, they are the truth! As slaves of Allah, we are obligated to speak the truth no matter what others might think or say. Such statements are based on The Qur’an and the Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad.

“ ‘And if you were asked about me , what wanted you to say?’ They replied: ‘We bear witness that you have conveyed the message and discharged your ministry.’ He then raised his forefinger skywards and then moved it down towards people while saying: ‘O Allah, bear witness.’ He said that phrase thrice….As soon as the Prophet had accomplished delivering the speech, the following Qur’anic verse was revealed to him:
‘…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.’ (5:3) Upon hearing this verse ‘Umar cried . “ What makes you cry?, he was asked. His answer was: ‘Nothing succeeds perfection but imperfection.’ “ (Source: “Ar-Raheeq Al Makhtum” (The Sealed Nectar) chapter: “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)

Guidance is perfection, whereas misguidance is imperfection. ‘Umar obviously was aware that after guidance from Allah was completed that misguidance would be allowed to come. Taqleed, Mathahab, and Fatwa is amongst the misguidance that came. The guidance of Allah was completed before the death of Prophet Muhammad- and misguidance was allowed to come after his death.

The following is some of the evidence from The Qur’an and the Sunneh:

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), in the Taurat and the Gospel:-for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure);: he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper.”
(Sura: A’raaf (The Heights); ayah #157).

“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as you religion.” (5:3)


“Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray.” (Sahih Muslim)
(Source: “Ar- Raheeq Al – Makhtum” (The Sealed Nectar); chapter: “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)