Is Taqleed The Only Option For The Common Person?

Quran For All - In Every Hand, In Every Heart

"Is Taqleed The Only Option For The Common Person?" by Shaikh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albanee (rahimahullah)

Does the common person even have the ability to refer to the proofs of
the scholars or is Taqleed (blind following) his only option?

Common people are not all the same when it comes to comprehending the
meanings of the texts of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. The assumption that a
common person has absolutely no ability to distinguish between the strength of
arguments in two opposing positions of scholars is incorrect. In the words of
Shaikh al-Albanee (rahimahullah),

'Scholars do not disagree concerning the obligation upon the common people to
imitate their scholars. They are the ones mentioned in the verse, 'And ask the
knowledgeable about it.' [(25):59]