What is the ruling on a beginner in learning the Maliki madhhab deviating from what is well-known within it, if other narrations transmitted from Imam Malik align with sound and explicit evidence that is difficult to abandon, such as raising the hands [in prayer], placing them on the chest, and the opening supplication (du’a al-istiftah)?

It is permissible for a lay follower of the Maliki school of thought, or any other school, to act upon a view that is not the well-known position of his school, if someone he trusts for his knowledge and piety issues a fatwa to him that the preponderant opinion differs from the well-known position of his school, and explains that to him with evidence. This is because a layperson has no [fixed] madhhab. This is not considered a departure from the madhhab, for Malik said: "There is no one from Allah's creation whose statement is not taken or left, except the Prophet, peace be upon him." Imam Baddah ibn al-Busayri al-Maliki authored a book in which he explained that whoever acts upon the preponderant opinion has not departed from the madhhab of Imam Malik, because the preponderant opinions are present within the madhhab itself.