Abu Ishaq al-Shirazi

Abu Ishaq al-Shirazi, while mentioning Imam Abu Dawud, associated him with the Hanbali school. He is also mentioned in the "Tabaqat al-Hanabilah". Some scholars have listed him as a Shafi‘i, but this is merely a pedagogical association. This misunderstanding likely arose due to the considerable agreement between Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Imam al-Shafi‘i on most issues.

Nawab Siddiq Hasan

Nawab Siddiq Hasan, quoting Hafiz Ibn Hazm, states: “After those earlier scholars came al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, and al-Nasa’i. None of them adhered to the opinions of any previous Imam. Rather, each of them refrained from blind following (taqlid) and criticized it.”

Hafiz al-Dhahabi

While commenting on Abu Dawud's vast knowledge and leadership in jurisprudence and hadith, Hafiz al-Dhahabi says: "Abu Dawud was among the great jurists in addition to being a leader in hadith and its sciences. His book 'al-Sunan' is a testament to this. He was one of the chosen disciples of Imam Ahmad. He consistently attended Imam Ahmad's gatherings for a long time. He was questioned on complex issues of usul (fundamentals) and furu' (subsidiaries). In his adherence to the Sunnah, submission before it, and avoidance of delving into complex philosophical discourse, he followed the way of the Salaf." [Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala’ 13/215]

Allama Tahir al-Jaza’iri

Similarly, the statement of Allama Tahir al-Jaza’iri also negates the notion that Imam Abu Dawud was a follower (muqallid) of another Imam. He says: “As for al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud, they were both Imams in jurisprudence and were among the people of ijtihad (independent reasoning).”