but the person who reported this did not understand Ahmad’s position, as explained elsewhere. According to the majority of scholars, someone unable to examine the evidence may follow a scholar’s opinion. The qualifications of those permitted to do so involve distinctions and disagreements that are beyond the scope of this discussion.

The point here is that the following of others forbidden by the revealed texts and scholarly consensus consists in setting a contrary opinion against the word of Allah and His Messenger, whoever holds that opinion. Allah Most High says:

“On the Day the wrongdoer bites his hands, saying, ‘If only I had taken a path with the Messenger!’”

“‘Woe to me! If only I had not taken so-and-so as a close friend!’”

“‘He led me away from the Reminder after it had come to me.’ Satan has always been a betrayer of mankind.”

“And the Messenger will say, ‘My Lord, my people have abandoned this Quran.’”

He Most High also says:

“On the Day their faces are turned about in the Fire, they will say, ‘If only we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!’”

And the passage continues as far as His words:

“and curse them with a great curse.”

He Most High also says:

“When those who were followed disown those who followed them, and they see the punishment, and all ties between them are severed.”

And the passage continues as far as His words:

“The likeness of those who disbelieve is that of one who calls out to what hears nothing but cries and shouts. Deaf, dumb and blind, they do not understand.”

Thus, He mentions how those who were followed in disobedience to Allah will disown their followers. He mentions this after saying:

“Your God is one God.”

The one God is the One who is worshipped and obeyed. Whoever obeys