If the narrations from Ahmad differ, which one do we follow?

Machine translationRead the Arabic original

Question:
Benefits from the explanation of the book *Iqtida' al-Sirat al-Mustaqim li-Mukhalafat Ahl al-Jahim* by Ibn Taymiyyah. May Allah reward you with good. Let us pause for a moment here, Shaykh. First, if two narrations come from someone like Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), or from two different scholars, which one do we follow?

Answer:
We follow what is supported by evidence among the statements of scholars, whether Ahmad or others. If the narrations from Ahmad differ, or if two opinions come from two different scholars, we take from their statements what is supported by 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 تَأْوِيلًا

[An-Nisa 4:59]

The matter is not as some ignorant people or some people of desires claim, that we take what suits the interests of people, what suits the desires of people, and what suits the inclination of the self. This is not permissible. If it contradicts the evidence, it is not permissible for us to follow it.

Source قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، [1493] إذا اختلفت الرواية عن أحمد فبأيهما نأخذ؟ I الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com

The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.

Flag this fatwa