The purpose here is simply to highlight the difference between the views established by the Book and the Sunnah, with their justice, wisdom, and mercy, and the weaker views; and to show that the Book and wisdom with which Allah sent His Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, secure people’s welfare in this life and the Hereafter in the most perfect manner. For he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is the Seal of the Prophets, and there is no prophet after him. Allah has brought together in his law the perfections that were dispersed among the laws of earlier prophets. Since no prophet would come after him, the matter was brought to completion through him, just as the religion was perfected through him. The Book he brought is the best of books, his law the best of laws, his way the best of ways, and his community the best of communities. Allah has guaranteed its protection, through the Prophet’s words, from agreeing upon misguidance.

Nevertheless, some members of this community possess knowledge and understanding that others do not. The scholars are the heirs of the prophets. Allah Most High says:

“And David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field into which some people’s sheep had strayed by night, and We were witnesses to their judgment.”

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

These were two noble prophets who passed judgment in a case. Allah granted one of them a particular understanding, without censuring the other; rather, He praised both for their sound judgment and knowledge. The same applies to scholars who exercise independent judgment—the heirs of the prophets and successors of the messengers who act in accordance with the Book.

Muslim scholars likewise hold two views concerning the case in which David and Solomon passed judgment, and similar cases. Some judge according to David’s judgment, while others judge according to Solomon’s judgment. The latter is correct, yet many scholars—or most of them—do not adopt it, and may not even know of it. We have discussed this at length elsewhere, outside this answer. Allah knows best what is correct.