Allah has made like stars by which people find their way through the darkness of land and sea. Muslims unanimously acknowledge their guidance and learning. For in every community before the advent of Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—its scholars were its worst members, except for the Muslims, whose scholars are their best. They are the Messenger’s successors among his community, reviving what has fallen into neglect of his sunnah. Through them the Book is upheld, and through it they are upheld; through them the Book speaks, and through it they speak.

Let it be known that none of the imams generally accepted by the Muslim community deliberately opposes the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in any aspect of his sunnah, minor or major. They are unequivocally agreed that following the Messenger is obligatory and that anyone’s statements may be accepted or rejected, except those of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. If, however, one of them holds a view contrary to an authentic hadith, he must have an excuse for not following it.

All such excuses fall into three categories:

First: He does not believe that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said it.

Second: He does not believe that the statement was intended to apply to the issue in question.

Third: He believes that the ruling has been abrogated.