The Ruling on Asking More Than One Scholar About the Same Issue

Question:
May Allah reward you with good and do you well. Shaykh Salih, what is the Muslim's position if he asks this scholar and finds an answer, then asks another scholar and finds the answer differs from the first scholar's? What is the Muslim's position in that case, and how do you guide him? Does he suffice with the first scholar, or does he multiply his questions to more than one scholar?

Answer:
It is not befitting for the questioner to ask every scholar; rather, if he has something to ask about, he should ask the best person he can find in terms of knowledge, practice, and scrupulousness. If he asks him, he should be content with his answer and not go on to ask another, because that will usually result in confusion and disagreement due to the differing perspectives of the scholars (may Allah have mercy on them). Or perhaps he will ask someone who is not qualified to answer, such as a beginner or someone who lacks the necessary scholarly material, which will cause confusion for the questioner and others. Therefore, first, he should direct his question only to the best person he can find in knowledge and scrupulousness, and if he asks him, he should be content with his question and act on what he is directed to do. Allah the Exalted said: