Q: I have read Al-Mughny by Ibn Qudamah. I was astonished when perusing the various juristic views over an insignificant issue though the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us against delving into trivial matters in his statement: “Those before you were destroyed due to their excessive questioning.” The Messenger (peace be upon him) stated: "Difference of opinion between my followers is a mercy." But this does not mean the differences we see now in books of jurisprudence.

A: All Praise is due to Allah Alone and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions. To commence: The difference of views on issues of jurisprudence is not strange, it is one of the nature upon which people were created. People differ in (Part No. 5; Page No. 22) their awareness, reasoning, understanding of revealed texts and the secrets of the universe. It is no wonder then to have divergent juristic views on religious or universal issues. In fact, this difference is the natural outcome of their differences in wisdom and talents. So you should not reject it. In fact, what is rejected is the practice of some people who opine ignorantly, or impartially in favor of a certain juristic school they belong to. But those who examine textual and rational evidence, and employ Ijtihad objectively in pursuit of truth, are praised for this effort. If they are right, their reward is doubled; one for practicing Ijtihad and the other for arriving at what is correct. If they err, they will be forgiven and granted a single reward for putting forth the effort of Ijtihad according to the statement of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.