Is it permissible for a layman to follow the evidence that convinces him and avoid difficult fatwas, based on the principle that leniency is one of the objectives of Sharia, especially when in doubt about a fatwa, and in matters such as not repeating prayers missed out of ignorance, and not considering someone an infidel for listening to mockery of religion without consent, and covering the feet with socks during prayer for ease of movement?

The danger that must be avoided is a Muslim selectively choosing fatwas with the aim of following their whims and freeing themselves from religious obligations, because the soul that inclines to evil demands this, and following whims leads to misguidance. The Ummah has forbidden following dispensations (rukhsas) because it leads to sinfulness.

However, if a layperson considers the evidence of the mujtahids, takes into account the absence of uncustomary hardship, and is convinced by one of the opinions not out of personal whim but because their heart is at peace with the convincing evidence and their good assumption that Sharia does not lead to undue difficulty, then there is no harm in that. Rather, they are encouraged to research and reflect within the circle of scholars. It is permissible for a layperson to follow a scholar whose opinion they trust due to the strength of their evidence, and to follow the easier opinion when the opposing opinion would cause them undue hardship or difficulty, provided that the evidence for that opinion is not clear and decisive, or they have not received any evidence at all, or the aspects of scholarly preference are contradictory to them.