What Is an Anomalous Opinion (Qawl Shadh) in the Shafi’i School?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

What is an Anomalous Opinion (Qawl Shadh) in the Shafi‘i school? What is its ruling, can a layperson follow it, who can act on it, and what is the correct approach regarding it?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

A Qawl Shadh (anomalous opinion) in the Shafi‘i school is a view that contradicts the established, relied-upon positions (mu‘tamad) upheld by the school’s authoritative scholars. While found in scholarly works, such opinions are not meant for practical application.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Whoever follows a doubtful matter has fallen into the prohibited.” [Bukhari]

The ruling is that a layperson cannot follow an anomalous opinion as it diverges from the school’s sound legal methodology. Following such opinions without scholarly guidance risks religious missteps and opens the door to subjective preference in sacred law. [Saqqaf, Fawa’id Makiyya]

Only qualified scholars may consider these opinions when genuine necessity or unusual circumstances demand it. Even then, such consideration requires deep knowledge, caution, and alignment with the principles of the school.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.