What should a student do when he knows the answer but finds it difficult to recall the evidence?

Question: I am a student of knowledge, and questions are often directed to me regarding various matters, whether in worship or otherwise. I know the answer well, either from hearing one of the shaykhs or from the fatwas, but it is difficult for me to recall the correct evidence, and it may be difficult for me to determine which is stronger. So what do you advise students of knowledge to do in that regard?

Answer: Do not issue a fatwa except with certainty. Direct them to someone else in the country whom you believe is better than you and more knowledgeable about the truth. Otherwise, say, "Give me time until I review the evidence and look into the matter." Once you are reassured of the correct answer by the evidence, issue them a fatwa based on the truth that has become apparent to you.
I advise the teachers, for this question and others, to focus on directing the students to this great matter, and to urge them to be careful in matters and not to rush in issuing fatwas or being definitive in issues except with certainty. They should be a role model for them in this by pausing on what is difficult and promising to look into it after a day or two, or in the next lesson. This is so that the student becomes accustomed, from the teacher, to not rushing in issuing fatwas and judgments except after being careful, standing upon the evidence, and being reassured that the truth is what the teacher says. There is no harm in postponing it to another time until he reviews the evidence and reviews the words of the scholars regarding it.
Malik issued fatwas on few matters and returned many matters, saying in them: "I do not know." And so did others among the scholars. Among the virtues of the student of knowledge is that he does not rush, and that he says "I do not know" regarding what he does not know.
The teachers have a great obligatory duty to be a good role model in their morals and actions for the students. Among the noble morals is to accustom the student to the word "I do not know" and to postponing issues until he understands their evidence and knows their ruling, along with warning against issuing fatwas without knowledge and being bold in doing so.
And success is from Allah.