What is the position of the Muslim community regarding the disagreement among the imams?
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The questioner : This questioner says: I hope you will clarify the position of the Muslim community regarding the disagreement among the imams.
The Shaykh : The position of the Muslim community regarding the disagreement among the imams is that it is obligatory for every person, if he sees a difference of opinion among the scholars, to follow the one he considers closest to the truth in his knowledge and his trustworthiness. This is because scholars are divided into categories:
First: The one who is a scholar with extensive knowledge but does not possess trustworthiness; he is not trustworthy. He may issue a fatwa for a person that pleases him, even if it contradicts the truth.
Second: The one who possesses strong trustworthiness but does not have knowledge.
Third: The one who possesses both knowledge and trustworthiness. So, follow the one you consider most trustworthy in your view regarding his knowledge and trustworthiness. This is what is obligatory. Just as if a person were afflicted with an illness, to which doctor would he go? To the one he considers skilled, well-informed, and trustworthy. This is the position of a person regarding the disagreement among the imams. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : The position of the Muslim community regarding the disagreement among the imams is that it is obligatory for every person, if he sees a difference of opinion among the scholars, to follow the one he considers closest to the truth in his knowledge and his trustworthiness. This is because scholars are divided into categories:
First: The one who is a scholar with extensive knowledge but does not possess trustworthiness; he is not trustworthy. He may issue a fatwa for a person that pleases him, even if it contradicts the truth.
Second: The one who possesses strong trustworthiness but does not have knowledge.
Third: The one who possesses both knowledge and trustworthiness. So, follow the one you consider most trustworthy in your view regarding his knowledge and trustworthiness. This is what is obligatory. Just as if a person were afflicted with an illness, to which doctor would he go? To the one he considers skilled, well-informed, and trustworthy. This is the position of a person regarding the disagreement among the imams. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.