Question:

I am staying in a country where the people follow Madhab Hanafi. Here people do not pray behind Salafi so can we pray according to Madhab Hanafi or Sunnah? 

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, may Allaah exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

Answer:

A  Muslim should be keen on acting in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, in all his matters even if one behaves contrarily to people\'s desires and opinions, especially in relation to prayer which is the most important pillar of Islam. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: \"Pray as you see me praying.\" [Al-Bukhaari] Acting in concordance with the Sunnah is a great evidence of the sincerity of the love of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. Allaah says (which means): {Say (O Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, to mankind): \"If you (really) love Allaah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur\'an and the Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Say (O Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam: \"Obey Allaah and the Messenger (Muhammad).\"

But if you turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers.}[3:31-32]. Moreover, a Muslim should be keen on uniting the Muslims on the truth and avoid division and disputes because of controversial Fiqh issues. The companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, used to differ on Fiqh issues, however, they were merciful among themselves. Allaah says (which means): {Those who are with him [the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)] are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves.}[48:29].

Therefore, it is forbidden for Muslims to quarrel with their Muslim brothers especially those who follow the way of the righteous predecessors, [the companions and their followers] may Allaah be pleased with them.

Loving these brothers and being friends with them is something confirmed and important. A person is loved according to the extent of his love for the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. So a person who follows the Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, more than others should be loved more than those who do not follow the Sunnah.

Allah knows best.

Responded by:

Dr. Abdullah Al-Faqih