The Layman’s Choice of the Easier of the Two Views in the Issue
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Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. If there are two views on a specific issue, is it permissible for the layman to choose the easier and simpler one for himself, or is that following one’s desires, which is prohibited?
Answer:
It is following one’s desires if he chooses the easier and simpler one for himself, even if it contradicts the evidence. This is following one’s desires. In fact, it is obligatory in cases of disagreement to take what the evidence supports. This is the obligation: to take from the views that which is supported by evidence from the Book and the Sunnah. This is the obligation, yes, whether it agrees with your desire or contradicts your desire.
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. If there are two views on a specific issue, is it permissible for the layman to choose the easier and simpler one for himself, or is that following one’s desires, which is prohibited?
Answer:
It is following one’s desires if he chooses the easier and simpler one for himself, even if it contradicts the evidence. This is following one’s desires. In fact, it is obligatory in cases of disagreement to take what the evidence supports. This is the obligation: to take from the views that which is supported by evidence from the Book and the Sunnah. This is the obligation, yes, whether it agrees with your desire or contradicts your desire.
Source
شرح إغاثة اللهفان من مصائد الشيطان لابن القيم، فصل فمن المحبة النافعة : محبة الزوجة وما ملكت يمين الرجل — islamhouse.com (39:48)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.