by the Messenger, we refrain from, even if others believe it to be a means of drawing near to Allah. Our duty is to obey the Messenger, not to obey anyone who opposes him, even if that person is acting on an interpretation.”
It is well known that the People of the Book and the adherents of religious innovations engage in many forms of worship which they regard as means of drawing near to Allah and acts of obedience, although Allah’s Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—has forbidden them. If someone says, “I obey the Messenger and do not engage in these forms of worship; rather, I forbid what Allah’s Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—has forbidden,” how can it be permissible to oppose him? Indeed, even if he were mistaken despite exercising independent scholarly judgment, he would not deserve punishment, by the consensus of the Muslims.
Nor is he obliged to follow anyone’s ruling, by the consensus of the Muslims. A judge has no authority to rule that Allah’s Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—commanded a particular thing; that a particular deed is, or is not, an act of obedience or a means of drawing near to Allah; or that travelling to mosques and graves, including the grave of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is or is not prescribed. Judges have no authority in such matters beyond that shared by other Muslims. Rather, discussion of these matters is open to the entire community of Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and whoever possesses knowledge may speak on the basis of that knowledge.
No one has the right to pass judgment against a scholar, by the consensus of the Muslims. Rather, his error must be explained to him. If it is demonstrated to him, through scriptural evidence that must be accepted, that he has erred, and his error becomes apparent to people, yet he does not retract it but persists in publicly expressing what contradicts the Quran and the Sunnah and calling others to it, then he must be restrained from doing so and punished if he refuses to desist. But if this has not been demonstrated to him by evidence