Taqlid (Following a School of Law)

Taqlid literally means "imitation" and refers to the practice of following a qualified scholar's or school of law's legal opinions without necessarily knowing the detailed evidence behind each rule. For the vast majority of Muslims, taqlid is the practical way to live according to Islamic law.

In Sunni Islam, there is broad agreement that one who has not reached the level of ijtihad should follow one of the four recognized schools of law in practical matters such as prayer, fasting, and purification. Imam al-Nawawi and the majority of Sunni scholars consider taqlid necessary for laypeople.

In practice, taqlid means that a Hanafi Muslim prays with arms folded below the navel, while a Shafi'i Muslim prays with arms on the chest — both following their respective school's guidance. The four schools' imams, however, warned against blind taqlid and encouraged seeking knowledge and understanding. Imam Abu Hanifah said: "It is not permissible for anyone to follow our opinion if they do not know where we took it from."