The sixth reason: He believes that it is opposed by stronger evidence from a text or scholarly consensus

That is, the evidence reaches the scholar, but he considers it opposed by something stronger: another text or scholarly consensus. This occurs frequently in the disagreements among the imams. How often we hear someone claim a scholarly consensus, only to find upon careful examination that no such consensus exists.

Among the strangest claims transmitted concerning scholarly consensus is that some have said, “They unanimously agreed to accept a slave’s testimony,” while others have said, “They unanimously agreed that a slave’s testimony is inadmissible.” These are among the most curious claims ever transmitted. When the people around someone agree upon an opinion, he may assume that no one disagrees with them because he believes that this is what the revealed texts entail. Two proofs then come together in his mind: the text and scholarly consensus. He may also regard it as required by sound analogy and sound reasoning, and thus conclude that there is no disagreement and that no one opposes the text established in his view, together with what he considers sound analogy—when in fact the matter may be precisely the opposite.

We may illustrate this with the opinion of Ibn Abbas—may Allah be pleased with him and his father—concerning usury involving excess..