everyone in every circumstance, in private and in public. However, since many people do not know certain rulings, they turn to someone who can teach them, because he knows better what the Messenger said and what he intended. The imams of the Muslims whom people follow thus serve as means, paths, and guides connecting them to the Messenger. They convey his words and explain his intended meaning to the best of their judgment and ability. Allah may grant one scholar knowledge and understanding that another does not possess, while the other may possess knowledge concerning another matter that the first does not.

Allah Most High says:

“And David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field into which the sheep of a people had strayed by night; We were witness to their judgment.”

“And We gave Solomon understanding of the case, and to each We gave judgment and knowledge.”

These were two noble prophets who judged the same case. Allah singled one of them out for understanding, yet praised them both. Scholars are the heirs of the prophets, and their efforts to determine legal rulings resemble the efforts of those seeking to determine the direction of the Kaaba. If four people each lead a group in prayer, facing four different directions because each believes the direction of prayer lies that way, the prayers of all four are valid. Yet only one has prayed toward the Kaaba: he is the one who is correct and receives two rewards. As authentically reported from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, he said:

“When a judge exercises his independent judgment and reaches the correct decision, he receives two rewards; if he exercises his independent judgment and errs, he receives one reward.”

Most people have committed themselves to schools of law—indeed, to religions—on the basis of what has become clear to them