Should one follow an Imam such as Imam Abu Hanifah ...?

Question:

Should one follow an Imam such as Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi'i and Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal (Rahimahumullah)? There is a group that is preventing one from following an Imam. What is your opinion about it?

Answer:

Nowadays, one must follow one of these 4 Imam. This group that prevents from following an Imam is also following an Imam, but we do not know why they conceal this fact. Allah knows the reason behind this. But they do follow and that too blindly. What is ridiculous is that they prevent people from following the likes of Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik etc. but they want people to follow them in whatever they say. Not following an Imam leads to anarchy and this opens the door for people to use Deen instead of following Deen. Thus, Hidaayah is found in following one of these 4 Imams. It is so important that even the great scholars of Hadith and the 'Ulama of great calibre found no way out besides following an Imam.

[English version of "Eski bizin suive banne Imam couma Imam Abou Hanifah…?" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.5]