The Ruling on a Student of Knowledge Refusing to Answer a Questioner out of Scrupulousness

Question:
A student of knowledge refusing to answer out of scrupulousness, while knowing that the issue does not require hesitation...?

Answer:
What is permissible for him is only if he refers the questioner to someone else. If he sees that referring to another is due to scrupulousness or because the other person is more knowledgeable than he is, there is no harm. The Companions used to refer questions to one another; some would refer to others. However, if he leaves the people ignorant and says, "This is scrupulousness," that is not scrupulousness. If he is the only one available, he must exercise independent legal reasoning.
Q: If he knows that the situation does not require hesitation?
The Shaykh: If he has doubt, he should not issue a ruling without knowledge. If his intention is scrupulousness and there is someone more knowledgeable than him, he should refer to him, saying, "Go, ask so-and-so; it will not contradict."
Q: Is the hadith of Abu Hurayrah: authentic?
The Shaykh: Yes.
Q: Does the hadith of Abu Hurayrah: apply if a man is asked about a lost group and remains silent? Is his path correct toward the path of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?
The Shaykh: Yes, it applies to this.