Thus, in this case, when it was unclear who was in the right, Allah did not entrust judgment to one person, even though this concerned a particular dispute between two spouses. Even if a single judge were to rule between the spouses on a clear matter, his ruling would not be enforced, by agreement of the Muslims. How, then, could this be permitted in matters of religion and worship that concern all Muslims and have become unclear to many people?

By the consensus of the Muslims, judgment in such matters belongs to Allah and His Messenger alone. Whoever has knowledge of what the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, brought should explain and clarify it to the Muslims. Once Muslims know the law of their Prophet, they will not depart from it. If, however, each group says, “We possess knowledge from the Messenger,” and there is no clear point on which they agree concerning their dispute, then one of the two groups receives two rewards and the other receives one reward. As Allah Most High says:

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

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

As for “the ruler,” if he knows what the Book and the Sunnah teach, he must judge between people accordingly. If he does not know, but can learn what each side says until he recognizes the truth, he must judge according to it. If neither course is possible for him, he must leave the Muslims as they are, each worshipping Allah according to his own scholarly judgment. He has no right to compel anyone to accept another person’s opinion, even if he is a judge.