How can a Muslim distinguish truth from falsehood among the different schools of thought, especially given their discrepancies in accepting hadith and their potential contradictions, and how can one be assured of the sound transmission of the Qur’an and Sunnah?

Guidance is in the hands of Allah the Almighty. To seek it, a servant must purify their intention, strive for truth, seek knowledge, and exert effort. This is achieved by pondering the Holy Quran, understanding Islam through the Sunnah (definition) and biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and learning from his noble Companions who transmitted his Sunnah, for they are the best role models after him. Whoever follows this path will succeed, and whoever deviates from it will err. This necessitates seeking knowledge in creed, jurisprudence, and Hadith (definition). And whoever is unable to do so should adhere to the Book and the Sunnah with the understanding of the Salaf of the Ummah, and seek refuge in Allah from trials.