Actually, it’s not easy for a layman to choose between different Juristic opinions, and who knows not the judgment pertaining to a certain issue should consult a trusted scholar or a knowledgeable person and abide by the Madhhab of that scholar or person.

It is to be noted above all that the Ahl-us-Sunnah-wal-Jammah stresses upon all whether its newly converts nor anyone else to follow a certain Madhhab (Juristic School). Every Muslim is free to choose any of the well-known authoritative Sunni Madhahib. Following any of these Madhahib (sing. Madhhab) does not mean that one has to insist on such a Madhhab or force the others to abide by it. In other words, if the husband follows a certain Madhhab, this does not mean that his wife should abide by the same Madhhab.

Given the fact that there are only Four Sunni Madhahib that provide facility for people, the newly converts are obliged to follow a certain Madhhab.

If an ordinary Muslim lives in a country in which all of its jurists follow a certain Madhhab, then he can follow the Madhhab adopted in his country. In fact, the common Muslim should follow the Jurists of his country and their Madhhab, which is the norm in many Muslim lands. Once you are content on a Madhab, he should insist on abiding by his Madhhab, but nor belittle the other Madhahib. If it appears to him that the judgment pertaining to his Madhhab is weak in a certain issue, he should stay by the ruling of that Madhab and not follow the judgment of the other Madhhab.

Imam Abu Hanifah is quoted to have said: “This is our opinion and we are ready to listen to him who brings a better opinion.” Imam Malik said: “Everyone’s opinion could be accepted or rejected except that of the one buried in this grave (pointing to the grave of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him). Ash-Shafi`i also said: “If a Hadith proves to be authentic (regarding a certain issue), then accept it and reject whatever religious opinion I may utter (regarding the same issue).”

We must understand that these four great Imams of the Sunni schools of thought, when they said these sentences, were not speaking to donkey drovers, shop keepers, business men or retailers but they were in fact speaking to their qualified students who were masters of Qur’an and Hadith. We should not be mislead by the deviant Salafis who try to mislead the Sunnis by quoting these sayings of the Imams.

In short, the newly converts, men and women should choose to follow a certain Madhahib. If a husband follows a certain Madhab, for some reason or another, it is not obligatory for his wife to abide by the same Madhahib.