The obligation of the Muslim when scholars differ on fundamental and branch (jurisprudential) issues.

The Shaykh : But what is the obligation of the Muslim when scholars differ on fundamental issues and jurisprudential issues? What is the obligation? It is to return to the Book and the Sunnah, not to anything else. And you must strip your mind of any preconceived meaning so that you can read the Book and the Sunnah. As for believing in a creed first and then looking for the Book and the Sunnah, that may lead your desire and what you believe first to twist the necks of the texts to the school of thought that agrees with it, yes, to the meaning that agrees with your school of thought. As we found this, my brothers, we found this in the books of fundamentals in creed, and we found this in the books of branches in jurisprudence: that when a person believes in a creed or holds an opinion, he tries to twist the necks of the texts to it and distorts them through a type of figurative interpretation.
My Muslim brother, on the Day of Resurrection, nothing will benefit you except following the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). And you must strip yourself of desire. We say to you: seek evidence then judge, or do we say judge then seek evidence? Answer, everyone, which is it? Seek evidence first, ask for the evidence, then judge. As for judging first and then seeking evidence, know that you may deviate. Good.