Does a Muslim sin if he follows a less preferred jurisprudential opinion among the differing scholarly views on a specific issue, such as the ruling on praying in a garment that has been sprayed with perfume containing alcohol, believing it to be correct, when the correct view was in another opinion?
There is no blame on someone who emulates a trustworthy scholar in a matter of jurisprudential reasoning (), and there is no sin upon them for that; due to the Almighty's saying: "So ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know." The accountable person is commanded to exert ijtihad if they are capable of it, or to emulate a trustworthy scholar if they are not. However, out of caution and to avoid divergence, it is advisable to refrain from matters about which scholars have differed, especially if permissible alternatives are available. For whoever avoids doubtful matters has certainly cleared himself in regard to his religion and his honor.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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