Taqlid

Taqlid or taqleed (Arabic تَقْليد taqlīd) is an Arabic term meaning "imitation" or "tradition". In Islamic legal terminology it refers to the practice of following the decisions of a religious authority without necessarily examining the scriptural basis or reasoning of that decision. In Islamic theology taqlid of someone regarded as a higher religious authority (e.g. an 'ālim) is acceptable in the details of the laws of the religion (shariah), such as matters of worship and personal affairs. According to orthodox Islam, merely following or imitating the statements of scholars in the fundamentals of "metaphysical" belief, such as about the existence of God (Allah)), is not acceptable however.^[1] Most often, this refers to the adherence to one of the four classical schools (madhhab) of jurisprudence (fiqh).

Overview

In Arabic, taqlīd is a verbal noun based on the verb qallada, which literally means "to place a collar (qilādah) around the neck.^[2]" The term is believed to have originated from the idea that the one who performs taqlid, called a muqallid, becomes resigned to the person of whom he or she is performing taqlid. Therefore, a muqallid is like someone who is allowing someone else to lead them "by the collar."^[3]

Sheikh Shaamee Hanafi said: “Taqleed is to take the statement of someone without knowing the evidence.”^[4]

Taqlid is considered by some to be an easy option in the context of Islamic fiqh, or law. Taqlid in Islam refers to accepting and following the verdicts of scholars of fiqh in their exposition and interpretation of Islamic law, without demanding from them an in-depth explanation of the processes required to arrive at such a verdict. It implies that the duty of ordinary Muslims is to trustingly accept the authority of scholars in this matter and act upon their verdicts.

There are several ayat in the Quran that forbid the taqlid of others in matters of religion (5:104-5, 17:36, 21:52-54 43:22-24). However, this prohibition is interpreted to refer only to the fundamentals of religion (usul ad-din) and not to details of law and ritual practices (subsidiary elements of religion or furu `ad-din) these can only be learned through extensive study, and those who have not carried out this study can follow the guidance of those who have. In orthodox Sunni Islam, it is generally regarded as impermissible for a person who has not mastered all the details of fiqh to derive their own rulings on matters of law.^[5] Shia Muslims believe that following the "Greater Occultation" (al-ghaybatu 'l-kubra) in 329/941AD, the Shia are "obliged to observe taqlid in their religious affairs."^[6]

See also

• Marja
• Taqlid

References

External links

• Taqlid (Shaykh Imam Tahir Mahmood al-Kiani)
• Taqlid