Ittiba' (following; returning to a proven ruling)

Ittiba' means in the language walking behind another, and also following someone in prayer, obeying a command, acting on another's word and demanding a due. As a technical term it is returning to a saying that rests on a proof. ¹ The jurists separate it from taqlid, which is acting on another's word without proof. ² Its ruling depends on what is followed. ²

Following the sharia and the Prophet in matters of religion is obligatory, and there is no dispute on this among the whole community, mujtahid and muqallid alike. ² The Prophet's natural acts are, by agreement, permissible for the community to follow, and what he explained takes the ruling of what it explains. ² Following the imam in prayer is obligatory by agreement, following a funeral is recommended, and following desire is forbidden. ³

There is no ijtihad where a definitive proof exists, such as the obligation of prayer and the other agreed duties. ² A mujtahid who reached a ruling by his own effort may not follow another against it; a layperson must follow the mujtahids, according to the careful usulis. Obedience to those in authority is obligatory outside sin. ²

A creditor has the right to pursue his debtor for the debt, or the surety if there is one. This applies to a debt attached to the person; a debt attached to a specific thing may be pursued in that thing. ³

The topic is treated in the chapters on ijtihad and taqlid in usul, on congregational prayer, on carrying the dead in the funeral prayer, on the imamate in books of governance, and on restraint, pledge, deposit and surety. ³