What Needs To Be Done Before Switching Madhhabs of Fiqh?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I’ve been brought up following the Maliki madhab, though I never formally studied. Now I wish to study and follow the Shafi’i madhab. Do I need to do anything when switching? Perhaps a ghusl?

Answer

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. 

Nothing will be needed before you switch over to another madhhab, other than your intention. Please be sure to enroll in Shafi’i fiqh class so that you have the basics you need. 

May facilitate this journey for you.

Absolute Essentials of Islam (Shafi’i) – SeekersAcademy

Please see these important tips as well:

1. Changing Madhhabs
2. Advices When Changing One’s School of Fiqh
3. Should I Change My School of Thought to Ease the Education of My Son?

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad  

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.