no scriptural texts are available? This is acting on the guidance of the texts, as related in the hadith of Muʿādh.”

He said:

“The legally recognized practice of exercising one’s best judgment concerning vessels and other matters does not constitute an objection to this, even though it involves acting on the heart’s testimony, since no other evidence is available in such cases.

Such cases do not fall under what we have discussed. Inspiration is not valid evidence for imposing a ruling on another person; likewise, exercising one’s best judgment cannot impose an obligation on anyone else. It is recognized only as permitting a person to act on his own behalf when all other evidence is lacking.

Religious prescriptions, however, cannot be devoid of some form of evidence: the Book, the Sunnah, consensus, or analogy. There is therefore no necessity to act without proof or evidence.

Once all these alternatives have been ruled out, it is established that there is no way to attain knowledge of Allah except through rational inquiry.”