The ruling on a student of knowledge disagreeing with his imam in his independent legal reasoning

Question:
If a student of knowledge’s independent legal reasoning leads him to disagree with some of those who are more knowledgeable and superior to him, what is the ruling regarding his case in that situation?

Answer:
He is deficient in his knowledge regarding Zayd and not 'Amr. He has to act on what has become clear to him, even if he disagrees with those above him. Many of the followers of Ahmad, al-Shafi'i, and Malik disagreed with their imams on well-known issues. So he follows what he finds of evidence, and it is not permissible for him to abandon the truth for the sake of his shaykh’s opinion or the opinion of an imam of a school of jurisprudence. No, this is forbidden. This is blind fanaticism. The truth is by evidence, and it is obligatory for him to follow it, even if he disagrees with those greater than him among the scholars or shaykhs. Yes. I ask Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, to record reward for you, to reward you with the best reward, to recompense you, and to make your knowledge beneficial to the Muslims in every place. And may Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.