does not censure someone who considers following al-Shāfi‘ī preferable, and so on.

No one in Islam can give all Muslims a blanket answer that one person is superior to another and have that answer accepted by all. For it is well known that every group favors the person it follows and will not accept an answer that contradicts its assessment. Likewise, someone who considers a particular view or practice preferable will not accept a ruling to the contrary. However, if a person follows a scholar’s judgment, let him follow the one he considers more likely to be right. If he is qualified to exercise independent scholarly judgment, let him do so and follow what he considers to be the truth. Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. The Exalted has said:

“So fear Allah as much as you are able.”

He must, however, neither follow his own desires nor speak without knowledge. The Exalted has said:

“Here you are—you have argued about matters of which you have knowledge. Why, then, do you argue about matters of which you have no knowledge?”

The Exalted has also said:

“They argue with you concerning the truth after it has become clear.”

Every imam has certain issues on which his view carries greater weight than that of others. Only someone who has delved into the details of scholarly knowledge can discern these differences in merit. And Allah knows best.