Choosing Between Different Religious Authorities

Question

A question about following different religious authorities and the permissibility of doing so.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you. It is permissible to follow the rulings of different scholars if they are equal in knowledge. If one scholar is more knowledgeable in certain areas, it is recommended to follow them in those areas. However, if you have already followed one scholar's ruling on a specific issue, you should not switch to another scholar's ruling on the same issue unless they are equal in knowledge. For example, one might follow one scholar for prayer rulings and another for fasting rulings. If one scholar is more knowledgeable in all areas, their rulings should be followed in all matters where they differ from others. If the scholars are equal in knowledge and neither is more cautious in issuing fatwas, one may apply their actions according to either scholar's rulings, provided that they do not have a general knowledge of the obligation that would require caution. For instance, if one scholar rules that shortening prayers is obligatory while another rules that completing them is obligatory, one must exercise caution in such cases.