09-16-2008, 04:49 PM
Bismillah
As Salam alaikum
My one word answer is with Knowledge. Only by knowing our deen can falsehood and truth be determined. For me, I accept answers from known authorities (scholars) who do not innovate or give opinions without evidence.
If there is a difference in opinion amongst these scholars then I do the best I can with what I know and what has been presented to me. Allah Knows that I am trying to follow what He would want. I must also keep flexible. If I hear an authority say something and I follow that opinion, I must be able to accept another opinion if stronger evidence is present. I must accept when I am incorrect or shown to be incorrect. I have been tested in this a couple of times. I was doing things that I thought were good or had an opinion about the deen that I thought was correct and was later shown I was wrong by proofs brought to me. Do I then take the strongest opinion or stick with what I am already doing? There IS an opinion by a scholar that supports me but am I holding to it bc I feel it is correct or am I just staying a creature of habit?
Did that rambling help? :huh:
As Salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu