السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته Let me begin with a hadeeth which triggers the doubts,Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr: “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: ‘My Ummah will be divided into seventy-three sects, and all of them will be in the Hellfire except one sect.’ They said, ‘Which is that sect, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied, ‘The one that is upon what I and my companions are upon today.'”Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 56, Hadith 89: This particular hadeeth which u read primarily focuses on unity in beliefs rather than differences in legal practices (madhabs). It emphasizes the importance of adhering to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and his companions in matters of faith. So by following one madhab you don’t fall into this different sects these refers to people who have different beliefs So now let me tel you the meaning of these two words 1.AqeedahThe term “Aqeedah” in Islam refers to one’s belief system. It encompasses the fundamental beliefs and tenets of the Islamic faith, including the oneness of Allah, belief in angels, divine books, prophets, the Day of Judgment, and divine preordainment. Aqeedah serves as the foundation of a Muslim’s faith, shaping their understanding of God, the universe, and their purpose in life. 2.Madhab Madhab” in Islam refers to a school of thought or legal tradition that provides a systematic approach to interpreting and applying Islamic law (Sharia). Each madhab is associated with a renowned scholar and has its own methodologies for deriving legal rulings from the Quran and Hadith In easy words, a “madhab” in Islam is like a guidebook that helps Muslims know how to live according to Islamic rules. It’s named after scholars who had different ways of understanding these rules. Imagine it as different paths to the same destination. So, whether it’s about praying, taking ghusul, or dealing with family, these guides, like Imams Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali, show the way for Muslims to follow Islam in their daily lives.So now I hope you would have understood the difference between Aqeedah and Madhab. Now that you have understood this I would like to explain you why do we follow a madhab?