Difference between zaidi madhahib.

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As for differences in the Zaydi madhhab, it must be understood that the Zaydi madhhab is only one madhhab. However, it has different imams or scholars who have brought forward their own positions in terms of jurisprudence. However, one thing that must be understood is that according to the foundations of the Zaydi madhhab, one is not obligated to follow the opinion of only one imam. This would also include the opinion of Imam Zayd, peace be upon him. Rather one is able to choose whatever jurisprudential ruling that one wants.

It must also be established, as we argued in the introduction of our newest translation of the Ahkam of Imam al-Haadi, peace be upon him, that it would be impossible for the imams to differ in terms of the permissible and prohibited. This is because the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt were made a means of guidance and if there is contradiction in such, that would be a theological difficulty that we cannot recover from. That withstanding, it is necessary for us to when looking at the differences of opinions between the imams, recognise that any seeming difference that may exist between them could be based on primarily misinterpretation or faulty transmission. 

Now that the preface has been established, I would say that according to what has been transmitted, there are some differences between the jurisprudence of Imam al-Hadi and Imam Naasir, upon them be peace. However, much of these differences, I would say, is due to transmission because we don't really have an in-depth complete work of Imam Naasir, upon him be peace. Much of what we have from him has been recorded and related by later authorities. That withstanding, the possibility of error Is present. 

That is the reason that most early and modern day Zaydis rely almost exclusively on the works of Imam al-Hadi, peace be upon him. His works have been successively transmitted in Yemen since he arrived there until this very day. So, his jurisprudence is seen as being the most firmly established according to our scholars and imams, since it was transmitted through his sons all the way until the scholars of today. However, in the case of Imam Naasir, upon him be peace, his madhhab hasn't been successfully preserved because, as you know, he ruled Daylam, which was part of Iran and after Iran fell sway to the 12er Shia, much of what we have from Imam Naasir would have to be filtered through. For example, there is a book that is attributed to Imam Naasir in which it stated that he held to the view that the feet can be wiped in the wudu. Whereas Imam al-Haadi, peace be upon him, related in his Ahkaam that washing the feet is from the consensus of the Ahl al-Bayt. 

Despite that, the two are in agreement for the majority of issues. Many of the differences between the two are minor. For example, it is said that Imam Naasir held to the view that the adhaan begins with four takbirat, but al-Haadi said that it only consists of two. 

And Allah knows best!

IRS