The Intent of Imam Ahmad in His Rejection of Those Who Adopted the Opinion of Sufyan

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Regarding the words of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) and his rejection of those who adopted the opinion of Sufyan: does their adoption of Sufyan’s opinion imply that it contains a general statement and a specific restriction, or a general and a particular, or that it is an abrogating and an abrogated text?

Answer:
The friends of Imam Ahmad demand the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and they go to what Sufyan said. They say, “We take the fatwa of the scholar,” while they turn a blind eye to the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). This is the intent. Yes. Honorable Shaykh. As for the one who takes the saying of the jurist and leaves the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Yes.