What is the guidance regarding the emulation of scholars in matters that appear dubious, especially when there are differences between the sayings of contemporary scholars and the early imams, and when these conflict with obedience to parents in some of these matters?

Our guidance is to avoid doubtful matters as much as possible, for that is more safeguarding for your religion and your honor. If your parents or one of them command you to do something that is doubtful, then if you can convince them, do so; otherwise, obey them as long as the matter revolves within the bounds of doubtfulness and is not explicitly forbidden. As for trimming the beard to less than a fistful, we do not know of any of the early scholars who held this view; rather, it was held by some later scholars. This opinion should be shunned and not given any weight, and it is not considered among the doubtful matters in which parents are to be obeyed without a valid Shar'i justification.