If a layperson or a beginner in the pursuit of knowledge hears a matter in which there is scholarly disagreement, which of the two opinions should he adopt?
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The questioner:
If a layperson or a beginner in the pursuit of knowledge hears a matter in which there is scholarly disagreement, which of the two opinions is stronger, or which should he adopt? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh:
If he is unable to determine which opinion is stronger, to know the stronger position, or the rules for determining the stronger position, then it is not permissible for him to make that determination himself; because he does not know this matter. Rather, he should ask the scholars in whom he has confidence regarding their knowledge, their mindfulness of Allah, and their scrupulousness, and he should act according to what they rule for him.
[An-Nahl 16:43] As for the one who is well-versed in knowledge and knows the rules of preferring one opinion over another and of deriving evidence, he acts on what is most probable to him based on evidence from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). The disagreement among scholars is a necessary thing, due to the difference in their levels of understanding, due to their views on deriving rulings, and due to the potential for multiple meanings in the evidence; so this is a necessary thing.
And this is something required of scholars: that they exert themselves in independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) and act on what they reach through their ijtihad, which they see to be the truth conforming to the evidence. People differ in their jurisprudential orientations and their levels of understanding, and they differ in the evidence that reaches them—what is authentic to some is not authentic to others—and in the many meanings that the words of the Book and the Sunnah allow. So each takes a certain meaning. This is a reality, and there is no blame on the one who has the qualification and ability to derive rulings and exert himself in ijtihad. However, when it comes to action and application, one must act on what their statements indicate from the evidence, or what is closest to the evidence. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nisa 4:59] Allah the Exalted said: [Ash-Shuraa 42:10]. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you well.
The questioner:
If the beginner in the pursuit of knowledge and the layperson hears a matter of disagreement, he must not be confused. Shaykh Salih
The Shaykh:
Rather, he should ask the scholars and act according to what is ruled for him. Yes.
The questioner:
Is it permissible for him to ask this one and ask that one and ask this one until an opinion settles for him, or should he be content with asking one scholar?
The Shaykh:
Multiplying questions and multiplying the scholars asked causes confusion among people and among the questioners. So he should ask the one in whom he has confidence in his knowledge and his religion, and be content with that.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you.
If a layperson or a beginner in the pursuit of knowledge hears a matter in which there is scholarly disagreement, which of the two opinions is stronger, or which should he adopt? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh:
If he is unable to determine which opinion is stronger, to know the stronger position, or the rules for determining the stronger position, then it is not permissible for him to make that determination himself; because he does not know this matter. Rather, he should ask the scholars in whom he has confidence regarding their knowledge, their mindfulness of Allah, and their scrupulousness, and he should act according to what they rule for him.
So ask the people of the message if you do not know.
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَAnd this is something required of scholars: that they exert themselves in independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) and act on what they reach through their ijtihad, which they see to be the truth conforming to the evidence. People differ in their jurisprudential orientations and their levels of understanding, and they differ in the evidence that reaches them—what is authentic to some is not authentic to others—and in the many meanings that the words of the Book and the Sunnah allow. So each takes a certain meaning. This is a reality, and there is no blame on the one who has the qualification and ability to derive rulings and exert himself in ijtihad. However, when it comes to action and application, one must act on what their statements indicate from the evidence, or what is closest to the evidence. Allah the Exalted said:
And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.
فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ 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 أُنِيبُThe presenter:
May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you well.
The questioner:
If the beginner in the pursuit of knowledge and the layperson hears a matter of disagreement, he must not be confused. Shaykh Salih
The Shaykh:
Rather, he should ask the scholars and act according to what is ruled for him. Yes.
The questioner:
Is it permissible for him to ask this one and ask that one and ask this one until an opinion settles for him, or should he be content with asking one scholar?
The Shaykh:
Multiplying questions and multiplying the scholars asked causes confusion among people and among the questioners. So he should ask the one in whom he has confidence in his knowledge and his religion, and be content with that.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، إذا ما سمع العامي أو المبتدئ في طلب العلم مسألة فيها خلاف، فأي القولين يأخذ؟ الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.