Taqlid means following someone else's opinion or action without checking the proof yourself. It is like believing someone just because they said it, not because you know it is right. The person who performs taqlid is called a muqallid.
In simple words, it is copying someone else without thinking carefully.
In Islamic law, taqlid is taking someone else's opinion without knowing the proof. For example, following Abu Hanifa or Ahmad ibn Hanbal just because they said so, not because you see the reason.
The Hanafi school of thought allows ordinary people who cannot do ijtihad (make independent legal judgments) to follow the teachings of a qualified scholar.
Following a scholar in practical matters like prayer, fasting, or transactions is permitted and recommended.
However, blind imitation is discouraged; one should follow scholars who have evidence for their rulings.
The Hanbali school emphasizes understanding the proofs from the Qur’an and Hadith.
Blindly following a scholar without knowing the evidence is generally disliked.
If someone cannot understand the proofs, they may follow a knowledgeable scholar, but the focus should remain on evidence, not just following people.
Good Taqlid: Following a scholar when one cannot do ijtihad, and doing so with understanding that it is based on knowledge.
Bad Taqlid: