the evidence, wherever it may be found and whoever may possess it. Allah has made adherence to that evidence obligatory, forbidden its contravention, and set it as the decisive balance among scholars; whoever stands on its side is the more blessed with correctness, whether those who agree with him are few or many.

As for your claim: “The great majority of Muslims have deemed this transfer (1) acceptable, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Whatever the Muslims deem good is good in the sight of Allah,’”

the reply is as follows:

First: this would bind you in every issue in which the authority you imitate stands alone against the majority of the Ummah. Whatever answer you give to those who differ with you there is exactly our answer to you here.

Second: these words are not from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Only someone unversed in hadith would attribute them to him. They are authentically established only as a statement of Ibn Masʿud, recorded by Imam Ahmad and others as his halted (mawqūf) saying. Its wording is: “Indeed Allah looked into the hearts of His servants and found the heart of Muhammad the best of hearts, so He chose him for His message. Then He looked again into the hearts of His servants and found the hearts of his Companions the best of hearts, so He chose them for his companionship. Therefore, whatever the Muslims consider good is good in the sight of Allah.”

Third: Even if it were (2) proven to be raised (marfūʿ) to the Prophet, it would only establish that whatever the Muslims unanimously agree upon and deem good is good with Allah—not whatever some of them happen to consider good. Thus, it is proof against you.