Taqlid

Taqlid is a word for following a teacher. Some people do this to learn. A person who follows is a muqallid. This word comes from a root that means to imitate.

In Sunni Islam, people follow experts if they are not experts themselves. This helps them know what to do. Some groups, like the Salafi, think people should think for themselves instead. They call this ijtihad.

In Shia Islam, following an expert is a common way to live. People look to a thinker for help with rules. This helps them find guidance in their faith. It is a way to follow a model.

Taqlid is a word used in Islamic law. It means following the teachings of another person. A person who does this is a muqallid. The word comes from a root that means to imitate.

Different groups of Muslims view taqlid in different ways. In Sunni Islam, many people believe taqlid is necessary. This is true if a person is not a mujtahid. A mujtahid is a person who can use independent reasoning. Some Sunni scholars use the Qur'an to support this. They say people should ask those with knowledge for help. However, some groups like the Salafi do not like taqlid. They think people should use ijtihad, which is independent thought.

In Shia Islam, taqlid is also a common part of life. It means following the rules set by a mujtahid. For Twelver Shia, this became a requirement after 941 CE. They look to an expert for guidance on religious rules. These experts are often called a marja' at-taqlid. This is a source of advice to follow. But Shia followers do not use taqlid for matters of belief. They only use it for matters of law.

Taqlid is a special word used in Islamic law. It describes when one person follows the teachings of another person. The word comes from an Arabic root that means to imitate. Some people believe the term comes from the idea of being led by a collar. A person who practices taqlid is called a muqallid. Someone who does not follow this practice is called a ghair-muqallid. This idea helps people decide how to live their lives.

How taqlid works depends on what a person knows. Some people are experts called mujtahids. These experts use independent reasoning to understand religious rules. A mujtahid can perform ijtihad, which is a type of deep thinking. Most people are not experts like this. They follow the guidance of a mujtahid instead. This helps them make correct choices in their daily lives. It is a way for people to find direction.

Different groups of Muslims have different views on this practice. In Sunni Islam, taqlid is often seen as necessary. This is true for people who are not mujtahids. Sunni scholars use the Qur'an to support this idea. They believe people should ask those with knowledge for help. There is a story about Muhammad and a companion with a head injury. The companion died because he did not ask for help first. Muhammad said the only remedy is to inquire.

Some groups view taqlid in a negative way. Salafi and Wahhabi scholars often reject it. They believe people should use ijtihad more often. They may call taqlid "blind imitation." Some Salafi scholars like Sanaullah Amritsari have even called it disbelief. This is because they feel it stops new thinking. They want people to study the rules for themselves. This shows how different thinkers can see the same word differently.

In Shia Islam, taqlid is a very important part of life. For Twelver Shia, it became a requirement after 941 CE. This was after a time called the greater occultation. Shia followers look to a source of guidance called a marja' at-taqlid. This expert provides advice on matters of religious law. However, they do not use taqlid for matters of belief. They only use it for rules known as sharia. This helps them stay connected to their traditions.

Taqlid is a term used in Islamic jurisprudence to describe conformity. It occurs when one person follows the teachings of another person. The word comes from the Arabic root Q-L-D, which means to imitate. Some believe the term originally described being led by a collar. A person who practices this conformity is called a muqallid. Conversely, someone who rejects this practice is called a ghair-muqallid. This concept is central to how different groups approach religious law and authority.

The mechanism of taqlid depends on a person's level of expertise. In Islamic law, there are experts known as mujtahids. A mujtahid is a person qualified for independent reasoning. These experts use a process called ijtihad to reach conclusions. Most people are not trained to be mujtahids. Therefore, they perform taqlid by following the instructions of an expert. This creates a relationship where the mujtahid provides guidance and the muqallid follows it.

Different Islamic traditions view the nature of taqlid in distinct ways. In Sunni Islam, the term can have different meanings depending on the context. Traditionally, Sunni scholars view taqlid as lawful and even obligatory for laypeople. This applies to those who are not qualified as mujtahids. However, some Sunni contexts use the term to describe unjustified conformity. This is different from the justified following of a mujtahid. In contrast, Shia Islamic usage does not carry a negative connotation. It simply denotes the general following of a mujtahid's dictates.

History shows how these views evolved through specific events and people. For Twelver Shia, taqlid became a requirement following the greater occultation in 941 CE. This event, known as al-ghaybatu 'l-kubra, changed how followers approached religious affairs. Since that time, they have been obliged to follow a jurist or faqih. By the 19th century, Shia ulama taught believers to seek a specific source. This source is called a marja' at-taqlid. It serves as a model for imitation and a source of guidance.

Specific groups have also used taqlid to define their own religious stances. Salafi and Wahhabi scholars often view taqlid through a critical lens. They frequently translate the term as "blind imitation." They argue that taqlid causes stagnation by stopping independent effort. These scholars encourage ijtihad instead of following traditional religious interpretations. Some Salafi scholars, such as Sanaullah Amritsari, have taken very strong positions. Amritsari even declared taqlid to be kufr, which means disbelief. Other Salafi scholars have even regarded it as shirk, or polytheism.

Sunni scholars provide specific religious evidence to support the practice of taqlid. They rely on two verses from the Qur'an regarding authority. These verses order people to ask those with knowledge if they do not know. They also point to several hadiths, which are recorded sayings of Muhammad. One hadith tells of a companion with a fractured skull. The companion tried to perform dry purification but died after using water. Muhammad told his companions that the only remedy for not knowing is to inquire. This story is used to show why seeking expert knowledge is vital.

Taqlid connects to broader discussions about authority and independent thought. It sits at the intersection of religious law, known as sharia, and personal belief. In Shia Islam, there is a clear distinction in how taqlid is applied. Followers use taqlid for matters of sharia, which are legal rules. However, they are forbidden from using it for matters of usul al-din. Usul al-din refers to the fundamental matters of belief. This distinction ensures that while law is followed through experts, core beliefs remain personal. This complex system shows how different groups balance tradition with individual understanding.