The following saying by Ibn Abdul Barr explains this matter
further, "All these rules are for the common folk, they are the ones who
have to perform Taqleed of their scholars when needed. They are not capable of
understanding or comprehending evidence or knowledge. Knowledge has grades, one
cannot attain the topmost grade unless he goes via the base...Scholars do not
differ with regards to the common folk having to follow their scholars..."
However, I believe that to generalise about the common folk by
saying that they all must perform taqleed is invalid. Taqleed is to follow
others without evidence. Many intelligent people can clearly understand evidence
if it is presented to them. Who can deny that a common person can understand the
evidence contained in the hadeeth, "Tayammum is one strike (of the hands
on the dust) for the face and hands"? Even people lacking intelligence
can understand this hadeeth.
Therefore, the truth is that we must say that Taqleed is
allowed for whosoever cannot search for or understand the evidence, Ibn
al-Qayyim also was of this opinion. Even scholars are forced to do Taqleed
sometimes, when a scholar cannot find a text from Allaah or His Messenger, but
only sayings of more knowledgeable scholars."
On Ijtihad and Taqlid
