Is following established religious tradition a sign of wisdom or a path to stagnation?
In short: In Islamic jurisprudence, taqlid represents the act of accepting legal decisions without knowing their underlying basis. While some view this as essential for maintaining order and continuity, others condemn it as blind imitation that stifles intellectual growth. The concept remains a profound point of divergence across different Islamic traditions.
The term taqlid, rooted in the Arabic word for imitation, is often described as allowing oneself to be led by the collar. In Sunni jurisprudence, the concept evolved significantly after the 9th century CE. As legal schools solidified, a consensus emerged that the most critical questions of law had already been resolved by early, uniquely qualified scholars. This led to the doctrine known as the closing of the gates of ijtihad, or independent interpretation, requiring subsequent generations to rely on the established decisions of these early authorities.
This practice has faced intense scrutiny. Critics, including the Andalusian jurist Ibn Hazm, who died in 1064, argued that jurists who merely repeat the positions of their school without personal engagement are practicing taqlid. By the 19th and 20th centuries, modernists such as Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Muhammad Abduh launched sharp critiques against the practice, arguing that it fostered socioeconomic and legal stagnation. Conversely, many scholars within the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools maintained that if a jurist understands the evidence behind a position, they are not following blindly and thus remain free from the constraints of taqlid.
The perspective shifts dramatically within Shi'i Islam, where taqlid is not only accepted but compulsory for laypeople. Following the greater occultation in 941 CE, Shi'i believers who lack the expertise to interpret legal sources are required to choose a marja' al-taqlid, or source of emulation, from the religious class known as the ulama. This relationship is strictly functional: a layperson must follow the rulings of a living mujtahid, or expert in law. Because it is forbidden to follow a dead guide, the follower must select a new expert upon the death of their previous mentor, ensuring the guidance remains active and relevant.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Taqlid | Definition & Significance in Islamic law | Britannica
- Also: Taqlid
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