He was asked about independent reasoning, inference from evidence, imitation, and following others.

He replied:

Invalid, blameworthy imitation means accepting another person’s statement without proof. Allah Most High says:

“When it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we follow what we found our forefathers following.’ Even though their forefathers understood nothing and were not guided?”

This is in al-Baqara; similar passages occur in al-Mā’ida and in Luqmān:

“Even if Satan were inviting them…”

And in al-Zukhruf:

“He said, ‘Even if I bring you better guidance than what you found your forefathers following?’”

And in al-Sāffāt:

“Indeed, they found their forefathers astray.”

“So they rush in their footsteps.”

And He 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 they will say, ‘Our Lord, we obeyed our masters and our great ones, and they led us astray from the path.’”

And the following verses.

And He says:

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

And He says:

“The weak will say to those who were arrogant, ‘We were your followers; will you then relieve us of any share of the Fire?’”

And in the other verse:

“Anything of Allah’s punishment.”

And He says:

“So that they may bear their burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection