Q: Some people think that it is an obligation for a Muslim to follow one of the four known Madh-habs (Schools of Islamic Jurisprudence) in order to properly fulfill their acts of worship and manage their daily affairs. However, these Madh-habs do not include the Madh-hab of the Twelver nor Zaydiyyah Shiites. Does your Eminence absolutely agree with this opinion and forbid following the Madh-hab of the Twelver for instance?

A: Praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family, and Companions. To commence: Muslims have to follow what is prescribed by Allah and His Messenger if they can infer rulings by themselves, if not, they should ask the people of knowledge (Part No. 5; Page No. 35) about any religious issue that is difficult for them to understand. They should also seek to ask the most knowledgeable among the scholars verbally or in writing.It is impermissible for a Muslim to follow the Madh-habs of both the Twelver or Zaydiyyah Shiites and similar Madh-habs followed by the people of Bid`ahs (rejected innovation in religion) like Al-Khawarij, Al-Mu`tazilah, Al-Jahmiyyah and others. However, following any of the four known Islamic Juristic Schools is permissible, provided that there is no fanaticism to the Madh-hab that a person belongs to, nor opposition to established evidence merely for the sake of supporting this Madh-hab.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.