Advice for students of knowledge regarding being cautious in using evidence and issuing rulings.
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The Shaykh : And in commenting on this issue, I say to the young men—especially those aspiring to knowledge and those who are beginners in it—that it is obligatory for a person to be cautious in using evidence and in issuing rulings. In using evidence, one should not rush to use it by looking from only one angle.
And in issuing rulings as well, one should not rush to issue a ruling that contradicts the opinion of the majority, because contradicting the opinion of the majority is not a trivial matter. Rather, if you see a ruling that only a few individuals have adopted, be cautious and do not follow it, because we ask: why did they adopt it when the majority of the Ummah is contrary to it? There must be a reason, so be cautious. Likewise, some people rely on the apparent chain of narration in using a hadith and its indication, so they must also be cautious. If the hadith contradicts the hadiths that are considered principles in the Shari'ah, let him be cautious in adopting it and using it as evidence, so that he does not rush and hasten, thereby misleading himself and others, and regretting in the future when it becomes clear that he was wrong, and being unable to turn people away from acting upon his previous error.
And praise be to Allah, a person is not burdened beyond his capacity, nor with what he is unable to do. Now, then. What are these ten days specifically for? For the Night of Decree, and what else? And i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque).
And in issuing rulings as well, one should not rush to issue a ruling that contradicts the opinion of the majority, because contradicting the opinion of the majority is not a trivial matter. Rather, if you see a ruling that only a few individuals have adopted, be cautious and do not follow it, because we ask: why did they adopt it when the majority of the Ummah is contrary to it? There must be a reason, so be cautious. Likewise, some people rely on the apparent chain of narration in using a hadith and its indication, so they must also be cautious. If the hadith contradicts the hadiths that are considered principles in the Shari'ah, let him be cautious in adopting it and using it as evidence, so that he does not rush and hasten, thereby misleading himself and others, and regretting in the future when it becomes clear that he was wrong, and being unable to turn people away from acting upon his previous error.
And praise be to Allah, a person is not burdened beyond his capacity, nor with what he is unable to do. Now, then. What are these ten days specifically for? For the Night of Decree, and what else? And i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque).