[Hankie]

I never truly paid attention to madhab until recently. I was raised in a culture that practices Shafi'i madhab, though I had no awareness of it until just recent years and I'm still learning about it. I did not know the differences were so stark, I hope its not true. I was lucky to have grown up among a large Somali community throughout my life, so Shafi'i services were always available and I got consistent lessons throughout. Personally I do not think about specific madhabs, I will abide by the rules of the imams as well as my pious peers. If I practice Shafi'i alone to the age of 50 and I get teachings or advice from a Hanafi or Mailiki or Hanbali imam I will accept it and apply it. I'm not sure its even healthy for my faith if I pay too much respect or loyalty to a specific madhab.