The ruling on following a scholar absolutely, such as one of the four imams

Question:
Is it permissible for me to choose one of the four famous scholars, for example, to follow their methodology to the exclusion of the others, and to read their works so that I can actually apply them?

Answer:
You are not permitted to follow one scholar absolutely. Rather, you must ask the people of knowledge about whatever is difficult for you. Following a scholar without knowing his evidence is not permissible. Rather, it is obligatory for the student of knowledge to look into the scriptural evidence and choose what the evidence requires, whether it agrees with the four imams or does not agree with them.
If he is a layperson, he does not follow any of these scholars. Rather, he asks the people of knowledge of his time, the people of knowledge of the Sunnah, the people of insight, about whatever is difficult for him, and he acts according to their fatwa. This is because such a person does not know how to distinguish between the sound and the weak of the scholars' statements, nor does he know the truth from falsehood. Therefore, the layperson needs someone to guide him to the truth and direct him to it from among the scholars of the Sunnah. Yes.

The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.