Explanation of the answer regarding some of the Companions following the Prophet's tracks in his travels

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, what is the answer regarding Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) following the tracks of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in his travels?

Answer:
The answer has two aspects. The first aspect is that Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) did not intend seeking blessing (tabarruk) as the superstitious people intend; rather, he intended following and emulating. He intended to emulate the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), whereas these people do not emulate the Messenger; they contradict him in many matters. The second answer is that this was an exercise of independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) by Ibn 'Umar, and the senior Companions did not agree with him. Those who were better than him contradicted him, such as his father, Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman. They did not do this, nor did they agree with him on it.