Question
I work with Salafis, and they claim that there is no evidence for adhering to a school of thought from the Sunnah.
Answer
I say, and with God's success: The term "taqleed" means that Islam is a science like medicine, engineering, and other sciences, such that we refer to this science and its principles and can understand the rulings of the religion, having its roots and branches. Without it, Islam becomes mere whims, where each person says what they want and interprets the Quran and Sunnah as they please, as the Wahhabis do. Taqleed is the interpretation of the Quran and Sunnah based on scientific principles derived from the predecessors of the nation, from the companions, the followers, and the imams of the religion, and their successors among the eminent scholars. Throughout the history of the nation, people and states have followed these schools of thought. If it were not correct, we would be a misguided nation. All the scholars of the nation throughout history adhere to these schools, and this nation cannot unite on misguidance. There is no other true path except the path of the people of Sunnah from the jurisprudential and doctrinal schools. And God knows best.