Title: Regarding Taqleed ... Question: The majority of Muslims follow four imams i.e. Imam Abu Hanifah , Imam Shaaf`i and so on. Thus they are called Muqallid. They also believe that anyone whosoever, whether literate or illiterate, who doesn't have blind faith in Taqleed [1] would however be a man of Hell on the Day of Judgment. Would you like to comment on the mentioned issue? Answer: Before answering your particular question, I would like you to keep the following points in mind: The basic sources of Islam - both in the case of beliefs as well as actions - are the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). Thus, anything not contained in the Qur'an or the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) cannot be considered a part of the Shari`ah , irrespective of however logical it may seem. In other words, any beliefs or practices that are alien to the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) are actually alien to Islam. The Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) are absolutely void of any directive regarding adherence to Taqleed of any individual besides the Prophet of God. The four or more Imams that you have mentioned in your question are actually Islamic scholars - people who developed a good understanding of Islam and presented their understanding to others. However, these scholars have almost always presented their understanding on the basis of their reasoning. Wherever their line of reasoning has been considered weak, they have been criticized and corrected about it not only among themselves but also by other Muslim scholars. These scholars themselves have never presented their individual or collective opinion to be binding on other Muslims. Their stress has almost always been on the line of reasoning through which they have arrived at a particular conclusion rather than on the conclusion itself. These scholars, in their individual as well as in their collective capacity, remain humans - prone to all those errors and weaknesses that other ordinary humans may have. There is no evidence in the Qur'an or the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) that suggests otherwise. Keeping these points in perspective, it seems that the case for Taqleed , as you have mentioned it in your question, finds no support from the Qur'an or the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). It may however be added here that an individual, because of his confidence and trust in a particular scholar and because of the lack of his own ability and opportunity of gaining in depth understanding of Islam, may decide to follow a particular scholar. Such a following ( Taqleed ) is not against the teachings of Islam. Nevertheless, promoting Taqleed as a general obligatory institution within the framework of Islam is without any sound basis and therefore cannot be accepted as a part of the Islamic teachings. I hope this helps. In case any aspect of your question remains unanswered or inadequately answered, please feel free in writing back to me at your own convenience. May the Almighty guide us all to the path of His liking. My fondest regards to you and those around you. [1] i.e. blindly and completely following a particular scholar or a particular school of thought.