The Impact of 'Ali: If Religion Were Based on Opinion, and Its Evidence Regarding Wiping Over the Khuff

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. The report (athar) narrated from 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), "If religion were based on opinion," some people say that this is not cited as evidence for what the majority mentioned, which is not wiping the bottom of the khuff. This is because 'Ali did not deny that he wipes; rather, he only mentioned the priority.

Answer:
Now, he says, "If religion were based on opinion, wiping the bottom of the khuff would be more deserving of wiping than the top." This indicates that the one who wipes is the top, and the bottom is not wiped, neither alone nor together with the top. This is the apparent meaning of the statement. Yes. And the fact that he means to deny the statement of the majority and give an opinion from his own side, that is his choice. His choice. And I tell you, be polite with the scholars. Be polite. Do not utter words or opinions that contradict what the scholars are upon, or new independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) from you, as some pretenders or some claimants to the pursuit of knowledge do. What sufficed those before you suffices you, if you want safety. It suffices you what sufficed the imams who came before you. Yes.