Four rightly-guided Imaams of Fiqh; description of the saved sect
Fatwa No: 22612

Question

What is the most correct school of Fiqh among the four schools? Which one is the saved sect?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

All the Imaams of Islam are rightly-guided and it is impermissible for a Muslim to become fanatical and hate his Muslim brothers and accuse them of deviation. Ibn Hajar Al-Haytami stated that Ash-Shaafi‘i, Abu Haneefah, Maalik, Ahmad, and the rest of the Imaams of the Muslims are on right guidance from their Lord. Accordingly, it is permissible to guide any person to follow any of these four schools of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) even if it is not the school one follows because by doing so, he guides the other to truth and guidance.

The saved sect includes anyone who follows the way of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and his Companions . This sect is not confined to a certain group of people or region. Rather, it is a methodology that the people adhere to, and in doing so, they are its followers. Imaam Ahmad stated that it is represented in the people of the Hadeeth. Al-Qaadhi ‘Iyaadh clarified that Imaam Ahmad meant that it is represented in Ahlus-Sunnah Wal Jamaa'ah and those who follow them. An-Nawawi said that they do not have a certain place; but they are spread in all areas of the earth. They include scholars, ascetic people, those who enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and other good characteristics.

Allaah Knows best.

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