Is it permissible for a student of knowledge to prefer some jurisprudential opinions over others, then bind himself to them without binding others to them, and is it permissible for him to adopt the weaker opinion?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for a student of knowledge to prefer some jurisprudential opinions over others, then bind himself to them without binding others to them, and is it permissible for him to adopt the weaker opinion in some circumstances while he knows the stronger opinion?
The Shaykh : If the student of knowledge has not clarified the ruling for him with complete clarity, but he is in doubt about it, then he may bind himself to it out of caution, and he does not bind others to it, because he does not have clear evidence that would be a proof for him before Allah (Mighty and Majestic) to forbid His servants or obligate upon them what has not been established by the Shari'ah. This is common; in many matters, the one who exercises independent legal reasoning is hesitant about the ruling. He likes to apply it to himself and bear whatever hardship is in it, but he fears binding Allah's servants to it. In that case, we say: there is no harm in a person taking this path, but it is obligatory for him to review the matter again and again until the matter becomes clear, and he binds people according to the evidence, and he does not fall short in seeking the evidence, so that he does not fall short in clarifying the Shari'ah.
What is the question? Read it.
The questioner : And is it permissible to adopt the weaker opinion over the stronger one?
The Shaykh : Yes... over the stronger one. Rather, it is obligatory for him to act according to the stronger opinion if it becomes clear to him that it is the stronger one. Yes.
The Shaykh : If the student of knowledge has not clarified the ruling for him with complete clarity, but he is in doubt about it, then he may bind himself to it out of caution, and he does not bind others to it, because he does not have clear evidence that would be a proof for him before Allah (Mighty and Majestic) to forbid His servants or obligate upon them what has not been established by the Shari'ah. This is common; in many matters, the one who exercises independent legal reasoning is hesitant about the ruling. He likes to apply it to himself and bear whatever hardship is in it, but he fears binding Allah's servants to it. In that case, we say: there is no harm in a person taking this path, but it is obligatory for him to review the matter again and again until the matter becomes clear, and he binds people according to the evidence, and he does not fall short in seeking the evidence, so that he does not fall short in clarifying the Shari'ah.
What is the question? Read it.
The questioner : And is it permissible to adopt the weaker opinion over the stronger one?
The Shaykh : Yes... over the stronger one. Rather, it is obligatory for him to act according to the stronger opinion if it becomes clear to him that it is the stronger one. Yes.