Is it permissible for an ordinary person to adopt the fatwas of Ibn Uthaymeen, Ibn Baz, Ibn Taymiyyah, and Ibn al-Qayyim concerning issues of bid'i divorce (divorce during menstruation or during a period of purity in which intercourse occurred) and regarding the intention of one who swears an oath by divorce?

The fatwa (definition) is based on the most preponderant of the sayings of the scholars, and it is not obligatory to follow the opinion of a specific scholar in all matters. It is permissible for a layperson to follow a specific madhhab (definition) or to ask someone whose knowledge he trusts, without following whims. If the layperson possesses intellect and understanding that allow him to distinguish what is more preponderant, then he should ask those who differ about their madhhabs and their proofs, and adopt what he deems most preponderant. However, if his understanding is limited, he may imitate the best of the scholars in his view. There is no harm in adopting the opinion of some trustworthy scholars in matters of divorce or others, as long as the questioner is reassured of the correctness of their saying.