The main issue is obviously that you have decided to become a somewhat of a ghayr Muqallid. Such confusion is only natural for a ghayr muqalid. [/quote]
So not believing that it is compulsory to follow one madhab at all times automatically means you become a ghayr muqalid?
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Whilst I agree that one madhab cannot be followed in absolutley every instance, and there are instances where there are differences within the madhab, the thing is, only an alim at a certain level can decide when to diverge from the madhab, not normal people or normal maulanas. As for your statement that Shafis have a different view of what is taqleed, I disagree. It is very similar to the hanafis, with maybe very minor differences. Sheikh Nuh Keller, a shafi in Jordan, surrounded by many Shafis, was at the forefront of the ghayr muqallid Movement about 15 years ago. He heavily promoted following a madhab. As for the shafis you are talking about, if they are not sticking to the madhab, then are they actually shafis?
I don't know much about Shaikh Nuh's views, but I never said that the shafi view is the same as 'ghayr muqallid', In any case the term ghayr muqalid would also have to be defined.
Is Imam Nawawi Shafi enough for you? He says that a person who is not even qualified to do ijtihad in regards to one particular topic can leave the madhab and follow a hadith, provided that another Imam acted on that hadith.
[quote]Let's assume for a moment that you are correct and the shafis are not as strict on taqleed, then if you were a hanafi, what gave you the right to abandon the hanafi opinion on taqleed and adopt the shafi opinion? Would these shafis you are talking about condone that?