Following different Madhaahib in certain matters

Question:-

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and he asked me the following questions:

1. Does Zuhr time end for a Hanafi at the start of the Shafi’ee Asr time, or Hanafi Asr time?

2. If a Hanafi read Witr Salaah in Makkah Sharif, does the Witr Salaah need to be repeated? If so, why? Isn’t the Shafi’ee view acceptable as well?

3. Why do we follow one Imaam only, and not all?

4. If I want to follow a Sunnah of Imaam Shafi’ee and I am Hanafi, can I do so? For example, performing Witr Salaah according to the view of Imaam Shafi’ee Rahimahullah?

5.   Am I sinful if I touch my wife and go for Salaah if I am Shafi’ee, but act upon the view of Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah?

Answer:-

1. For a follower of the Hanafi Madhab, the time of Zuhr ends when the time of Asr sets in, according to the view of Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah.

2. Yes, the Witr Salaah performed in Makkah Sharif behind the Imaam of the Haram needs to be repeated. The followers of the Shafi’ee Madhab read two Rakaats of Witr Salaah and then make Salaam. Thereafter, they perform one more Rakaat and terminate their Salaah with Salaam.

The followers of the Hanafi Madhab are not permitted to perform a Salaah consisting of just one Rakaat, hence, it is not correct for followers of the Hanafi Madhab to follow a Shafi’ee Imaam in the Witr Salaah, particularly if he performs his Witr Salaah in the manner described above.

The Shafi’ees most certainly have narrations to prove their Madhab hence, it is permissible for them to follow their Imaam and perform a single Rakaat Salaah. We, as followers of the Hanafi Madhab, have our proofs as well. In conclusion, the followers of the Shafi’ee Madhab are correct in following their Imaam, and we as followers of the Hanafi Madhab should strictly adhere to the teachings of our Imaam. It will not be permissible for us to discard the teachings of Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah and follow the teachings of another Imaam.

3. If we follow different Imaams, it will be due to us following our desires. Why would a follower of the Hanafi Madhab discard the teachings of his Imaam and follow another Imaam in a certain Mas’ala of Fiqh? This approach would generally be adopted due to ease and comfort, which is considered as following one’s whims and fancies, which is not permissible. Such an approach will lead to misguidance and deviation. It is therefore, not permissible for a follower of one Madhab to follow the teachings of other Madhaahib; rather, it is necessary for one to follow one particular Madhab at all times.

واما اتباع الهوي في الحكم والفتيا فحرام اجماعا (شرح عقود رسم المفتي ص104)

4. As a follower of the Hanafi Madhab you are required to strictly follow the teachings of the Hanafi Madhab. It is not permissible for you to follow the teachings of any other Madhab.

ان الاجماع علي منع اطلاق التخيير اي بان يختار ويشتهي مهما اراد من الاقوال في اي وقت شاء  (شرح عقود رسم المفتي ص101)

قال ابن الهمام حكم المقلد في المسئلة الاجتهادية كالمجتهد فانه اذا كان له رايين في مسئلة وعمل باحدهما يتعين ما عمل به وامضاه بالعمل  فلا يرجع عنه الي غيره الا بترجيح ذلك الغير الخ , فالمقلد اذا عمل بحكم من مذهب لا يرجع الي اخر من مذاهب اٰخر (خلاصة التحقيق 5) 

5. This question should be referred to a Shafi’ee Mufti. He will be in a better position to explain as to whether a Shafi’ee follower will be sinful for following the Hanafi Madhab in order to keep his Wudhu intact or not.

We will merely suffice on stating this much that, Allama Nawawi Rahimahullah (a senior Shafi scholar) has stated that it is necessary to follow one particular Madhab because, if following any Madhab was permitted, then it will lead to one following his desires due to choosing the concessions, and as a result, he will chose between Halaal and Haraam, Waajib and permissible, and this will result in misguidance. [Re:- Sharhul Muhazzab Pg. 55 Vol.1]       e He

ووجهه انه لو جاز اتباع اي مذهب شاء لافضي الي ان يلتقط رخص المذاهب متبعا هواه ويتخير بين التحليل والتحريم والوجوب والجواز وذلك يودي الي اضلال —(شرح المهذب ص55 ج1)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 08 Shawwal 1443 / 10 May 2022