What is the ruling on adopting the opinions of scholars in matters of ijtihad, such as when it is said: "Ibn Taymiyyah said such-and-such, and Ibn Abd al-Barr said such-and-such"? And does adopting the ruling of a scholar whose opinion was weak fall under Allah Almighty’s saying: "They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah"? And how do we protect ourselves from that?

There is no objection to following one of the mujtahid scholars and adopting his opinion for someone who does not possess the knowledge to arrive at the truth himself regarding an issue. This is based on Allah's saying: "So ask the people of the message if you do not know," and His saying: "And if they had referred it to the Messenger and to those in authority among them, then those who can draw out correct conclusions from them would have known it."

Scholars have unanimously agreed that the common person follows the scholar. This does not fall under those who took rabbis and monks as lords, because those referred to in that context are those who obeyed their scholars in prohibiting the lawful and permitting the unlawful, while knowing that they were contradicting Allah's law. As for one who follows a scholar believing that his statement is in accordance with the Law, he has done what he was commanded, and there is no sin upon him even if that opinion was less preferred.