Is it permissible for an unlettered person to ask someone he trusts among the scholars, even if the scholar errs, taking into account verses 166-167 of Surah Al-Baqarah, verses 31-33 of Surah Saba, and verses 67-68 of Surah Al-Ahzab? Do these verses indicate that one who follows someone he trusts is sinful? Are these verses specific to disbelievers, or do they include every unlettered person? Is a person excused for his ignorance and error because he thought he was following a trustworthy person?

An ordinary person must emulate scholars in matters they are ignorant of, because an ordinary person cannot understand the evidence on their own, and this is by the consensus of scholars. The sin of issuing a fatwa (definition) without knowledge falls upon the mufti (definition) if he has been negligent in his ijtihad (definition) (independent reasoning), not on the questioner who emulates. A distinction must be made between a muqallid (emulator) who is capable of knowing the truth but turns away from it, and a muqallid who is incapable of doing so. The latter may be excused if he desires guidance but cannot attain it, or unexcused if he turns away from seeking the truth.