It follows, then, that the curse applies to whoever intends to make her lawful for her former husband. It is also clear that the accursed man has not actually made her lawful, and that the curse indicates that his act is forbidden, whereas the opposing scholar maintains that it is permissible. Thus, they have no supporting proof; rather, the early generations and the leading jurists are correct. Any renowned scholar who departs from this principle in particular cases, if he has no sound answer, has contradicted himself, just as he has elsewhere.
The principles free of contradiction are those established by a revealed text or scholarly consensus. Contradictions occur in anything beyond that, and it constitutes no binding proof against anyone. Sound analogical reasoning, which involves no contradiction, accords with revealed texts and scholarly consensus. Indeed, the revealed text must itself have indicated the ruling, as has been explained at length elsewhere.
This is the meaning of protection from error: the statements of one protected from error do not contradict one another. Muslims do not dispute that the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is protected from error in what he conveyed from Allah Most High. Thus, by Muslim consensus, he is protected from error in what he prescribed for the Muslim community. Likewise, the community is protected from collectively agreeing upon misguidance. This protection does not extend beyond these bounds.
For this reason, the leading scholars of the religion held that anyone’s statements may be accepted or rejected except those of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah has made it obligatory upon all His creatures to believe in him, obey him, regard as lawful what he declared lawful, and regard as forbidden what he declared forbidden. Through him, Allah distinguished between the believer and the unbeliever, the people of Paradise and the people of the Fire, guidance and misguidance, and error and right conduct.
The believers—the people of Paradise, guidance, and right conduct—are his followers. The unbelievers—the people of the Fire, error, and misguidance—are those who did not follow him.