Clarifying the Muslim's position on scholarly disagreement in a matter
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
I say, Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, when we say that there is disagreement among the scholars in this matter, which scholars do we follow, especially since we have not reached a level of knowledge that enables us to choose the stronger position?
Answer:
If you are one of those who knows the evidence and how to weigh opinions, then you present the statements of the scholars to the evidence. You follow what the evidence indicates, and you leave aside from the scholars' statements whatever contradicts the evidence.[An-Nisa 4:59]. [An-Nisa 4:59] [Ash-Shuraa 42:10].
It is obligatory for you to present the statements of the scholars to the evidence. You follow what the evidence establishes, and you leave aside whatever contradicts the evidence. This is the obligation. Do not follow what suits your desires, even if it contradicts the evidence. Do you understand that?
As for if you are among the common people or beginners in seeking knowledge, and you do not know the evidence or how to weigh opinions, then ask the scholars about what they have disagreed upon. Ask the scholars. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nahl 16:43] Allah, Mighty and Majestic, did not leave us in confusion; rather, He commanded us to refer to His Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger. So if we are not able to refer to the Book and the Sunnah, we ask the scholars who know the Book and the Sunnah.
I say, Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, when we say that there is disagreement among the scholars in this matter, which scholars do we follow, especially since we have not reached a level of knowledge that enables us to choose the stronger position?
Answer:
If you are one of those who knows the evidence and how to weigh opinions, then you present the statements of the scholars to the evidence. You follow what the evidence indicates, and you leave aside from the scholars' statements whatever contradicts the evidence.
And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day
فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِThat is the best [way] and best in result.
ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًاAnd in anything over which you disagree - its ruling is [to be referred] to Allah. [Say], "That is Allah, my Lord; upon Him I have relied, and to Him I turn back."
وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُIt is obligatory for you to present the statements of the scholars to the evidence. You follow what the evidence establishes, and you leave aside whatever contradicts the evidence. This is the obligation. Do not follow what suits your desires, even if it contradicts the evidence. Do you understand that?
As for if you are among the common people or beginners in seeking knowledge, and you do not know the evidence or how to weigh opinions, then ask the scholars about what they have disagreed upon. Ask the scholars. Allah the Exalted said:
So ask the people of the message if you do not know.
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Source
المنتقى من أخبار سيد المرسلين [6] — alfawzan.live (41:59)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.