A Question posed by the Ghair Muqalid
"Those who compiled the Sihah Sitta (six authentic books of Ahadith), were they Muqallids or Mujtahids?"

This is a wonderful question. Imam Bukhari (R.A) selected certain Ahadith
from many hundred thousand Ahadith to compile Bukhari Shareef. He knew many
hundred thousand Ahadith by heart, yet he made taqleed of Imam Shaaf’i (R.A). We understand from this that a Muhaddith like Imam Bukhari (R.A) even had no choice but to make taqleed of a mujtahid. Imam Bukhari (R.A) would have also been a Ghair Muqallid if it were just sufficient to know Ahadith to free oneself from taqleed. Where do you stand………no matter how a great an aalim of the day you may be? You certainly cannot learn more Ahaadith than Imam Bukhari (R.A). Imam Muslim (R.A) has listed approximately 4000 Ahaadith which are not repeated (in his compilation). He was also a follower of Imam Shaaf’i (R.A). Imam Abu-Dawud (R.A) has also listed close to 4000 Ahaadith in his Sunan of Abu-Dawud. Despite being such a great muhaddith he followed Imam Ahmed ibn Hammbal. Imam Thirmizi (R.A) also narrates 4000 Ahaadith in his (book) thirmizi, yet he was also a follower of Imam Shaaf’i (R.A). Ibn Majah (R.A) lists 4341 Ahaadith in his book, yet he too was a follower of Imam Shaaf’i (R.A). Imam
Nasai (R.A) has listed approximately 4000 Ahaadith in the Sunan of Nasai, yet he too was a follower Imam Shaaf’i (R.A). We would have to make another decision if you know more Ahaadith than those who compiled the sahih sitta, but if you know less Ahaadith than them, you have no choice but to make taqleed. We would like to ask Imam Bukhari (R.A) as to what forced him into making taqleed when he knew so many Ahaadith. We would also like to ask Imam Muslim (R.A) why he chose to make taqleed. Imam Thirmizi (R.A) should also be asked why he took the road of taqleed. We would ask Imam Nasai (R.A) if he was short of any hadith for him to have also chosen to follow an Imam. We would like to ask Imam Abu-Dawud (R.A) why he went to the door of Imam Ahmed ibn Hammbal (R.A) when he knew so many Ahaadith. We also need to ask Ibn Majah (R.A) what compelled him to make taqleed.

Would you term these illustrious people as ignorant. Whatever judgment you wish to pass on them, you may pass on us.
One needs to be conscious and his senses when passing a judgment.

It Is SAFER to follow one Imam from one of the four Schools ot thought