The Independent Scholar and the Follower of a Scholar. The Causes of Disagreement and Their Remedy?

The Shaykh : I conclude this talk, and it is now nine o'clock, and my voice has begun to change with us, with an issue that drew attention from a scholar of the Andalusian scholars, namely Ibn Rushd al-Andalusi, who follows the Maliki school of jurisprudence. He gave an example of the independent scholar and the follower of a scholar. It is a very beautiful example, and it contains a lesson for those who take heed. He said: The example of the independent scholar and the follower of a scholar is like the example of the seller of slippers and the maker of slippers. The seller of slippers is the one who sells shoes, and the maker of shoes is the one who makes them. He said: A man comes to the seller of slippers and asks for a specific size. We say that this is a very rare size. The man is large, wide, and short. The seller of slippers searches through the models he has, but he does not find the unusual size. So he says to him, "Goodbye, I do not have it." The seller of slippers goes to the maker of slippers and says to him, "I want a slipper of this size." He says, "Certainly," because he is the one who makes it. This is like the independent scholar, and that is like the follower of a scholar. So where do these people get their answers from when you put questions to them, especially in those countries? Therefore, we advise them, and we emphasize the advice, as long as they have sincerity and zeal for Islam and conveying the message to the people, that they devote themselves to seeking knowledge as much as they are able to do so. After that, perhaps Allah (Mighty and Majestic) will enable them to acquire this knowledge and open up gatherings for them, and they will worship Allah as He deserves. Otherwise, one who lacks a thing cannot give it.