Sometimes it occurs to a person that he can choose between two rules derived from the Ijtihad of two Mujtahideen. For example, does touching one‟s wife break the Wudhu? Imam Shafi‟i says yes. Imam Abu Hanifah says no.

Both opinions are based on the Daleel. Some say that Islam is easy therefore choose the easiest. After all both are Islamic opinions. To follow one of the opinions because of one‟s desires is totally Haram (forbidden). As following an Islamic opinion means following the Hukm Shar‟i. The obedience to Hukm Shar‟i is not based on hardship, easiness or benefit. How then does a Muqallid choose between two Islamic opinions?

Allah (swt) says:

“If you dispute in a thing return it to Allah and the Prophet” (TMQ An-Nisa: 59)

The Muqallid should return to Allah (swt) and the Prophet (saw). In practice, it means choosing the Mujtahid whom he is convinced with as having the correct ruling for the issue. Choosing the correct Mujtahid can be achieved through:

Studying the opinion of the Mujtahideen and following the one that is most convincing. If a Muqallid does not know the evidence or is unable to verify the strength of the evidence, the best qualification to look for in a Mujtahid is a high degree of knowledge and Taqwa.

As a note of caution, it should be understood that one is not making Taqleed to the personality of the Mujtahid himself. If one follows a Madhab, one is not following a founder because of his personality, but because one believes that he had the correct understanding of Hukm Shar‟i on the issue. One must realise that he is obeying the Hukm Shar‟i not Imam Abu Hanifah or Imam Shafi‟i.