Taking From the Understanding of the Scholars?

They said: It is befitting for you to take from the understanding of the scholars!

So I said: When the scholars differ in their understanding, then whose understanding will be taken!?

If they said—and some of them have said this—that: We take the understanding which is more correct!

Then I said: You have made us like livestock; do we not understand? (i.e. are we dumb?) And you are inviting us towards At-Taqleed (blind-following) and towards consuming hay and fodder! (i.e. hoping for us to accept whatever you want to say) How will we differentiate between that which is closer to being correct, and that which is further away from being correct!?

If they said—and some others have also said this—that: We take from whichever scholar we like!

Then I said: Ma Sha Allah! Then neither should you place any blame on me if I take a verdict which you dislike, nor should you claim that the position I chose goes against what the majority says!

Then: In matters of creed and jurisprudence, I will take a saying of a scholar which opposes that which you and your scholars are upon, so will you be pleased with this and accept it!? Will you invite others to accept this!? (i.e. my position which opposes yours)

Yes!

Soon, I will invite people to blind-follow the scholars of Ahlul-Zaahir in rejecting Qiyas! Will you be pleased with it?

Soon, I will invite people to blind follow the Ahlul-Fiqh who permitted musical instruments! Will you be content with this?

Soon, I will invite people to blind-follow Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi Al-Maliki and Al-Qurtubi and every scholar who permitted singing! So will you hold back your tongues? (i.e. from speaking against it?)

Soon, I will invite people to blind-follow a specific Companion in every single affair! Will you concur with this!?

Soon, I will blind follow the Companion Samurah bin Jundub in permitting the sale of alcohol, so will you accept it!?

Soon, I will blind follow the Companion Abu Talha in permitting eating ice during the daytime in Ramadan, and that it neither breaks nor nullifies the fast, so will you give up?

Soon, I will blind-follow Umar bin al-Khattab in not permitting the act of performing tayammum (dry ablution) while traveling, is this not what you want?

Soon, I will blind-follow Abu Bakr in everything! O you Hanafis, Shafi’ees, Malikis and Hanbalis! When I do so, do not reject it!

Soon, I will take every verdict narrated from the Companions which puts my mind at ease, and makes my affairs easy for me, and is in my best interests! (I can do this, because) Blind-following is legislated and permissible and all the people I am blind-following are trustworthy and truthful!

Soon, I will blind-follow Ibn Abbas in everything, even his verdict on temporary marriage, which he was opposed in by the predecessors and many successors!

Soon, I will blind-follow Ibn masud in making Tatbiq obligatory in the prayer, and hitting the ones who refuse to do so, so how do you perceive this!?

Soon, I will blind-follow Umar in prohibiting people from praying after Asr and whipping those who do pray, so why don’t you do this as well?! (i.e. whipping?)

Soon, I will blind follow Hasan and Hussain in going out against the ruler!

Soon, I will blind-follow Abdullah bin Zubair in rebelling against Marwan!

Soon, I will blind-follow Abdullah bin Amr bin Aas in refusing to hear and obey the ruler when he wants to take my land or wealth, so will you lie down when he takes something!?

Soon, I will blind-follow Abu hanifah in everything O Malikis!

Soon, I will blind-follow Malik in everything O Shafi’ees!

Soon, I will blind-follow Ash-Shafi’ee in everything O Hanbalis!

Soon, I will blind follow Abu Hanifah in permitting the consumption of Nabeedh which isn’t intoxicating except for the Nabeedh made from grapes!

Soon, I will blind-follow Abu Hanifah in permitting a virgin woman to get married herself without the presence of her guardian!

Soon, I will blind follow Ash-Shafi’ee in permitting a father to marry his daughter, his sister, his son’s daughter, his daughter’s daughter, his brother’s daughter and his sister’s daughter; as long as all of these women were born as a result of fornication!

Soon, I will blind-follow Malik in making the actions of the people of Madinah a source of evidence for the worshippers!

Soon, I will blind-follow Al-Zamakshari in negating seeing Allah on the Day of Judgment!

Soon, I will blind-follow Ibn Hajr and An-Nawawi in distorting the interpretation of Allah’s names and attributes!

Soon, I will blind-follow Ibn al-Jawzi in matters of creed O Salafis!

Soon, I will blind-follow Ibn Taymiyyah in saying that the Hell-Fire will cease to exist O Asharis!

So will you accept all of this?

Is it not befitting that these scholars be blind-followed in their understanding?

What’s wrong with you! How do you think?!