When is the statement of a Companion considered a proof, and when is it not?

The questioner : Specifically regarding the Companion, when is his statement considered a proof, and when is it not?

The Shaykh : First, if his opinion does not contradict a textual source from the Shari'ah, then the question arises: if it contradicts a text in the Qur'an or the Sunnah, then the statement of the Companion is not used as a proof. However, if his statement does not contradict [the texts], then if the one who wishes to contradict this statement is a mujtahid among the imams of the Muslims, he must find in his memorized evidence from the Book and the Sunnah what justifies for him the contradiction of that Companion's statement. Otherwise, following the Companion is obligatory for him, because without a doubt, the Companions were more knowledgeable, more God-fearing, and more juristic than us, and so on... To understand the answer correctly and easily: if the statement narrated from the Companion does not contradict the Book or the Sunnah, and it reaches an imam among the imams of ijtihad, and he finds in his memorized Book and Sunnah what allows him to derive a ruling that differs from this Companion's statement, then it is permissible for him to do so. But if he does not find such evidence, he is obligated to follow this Companion. This is the answer. Please proceed.