4. The Independence of their Ijtihaad

• They would disagree on issues but no sahabi forced their opinion on the other.
Aisha heard Abdullah ibn Umar said after ghusl from sexual relations women have to take out their braids and wash hair, but Aisha said no, just throw 3 handfuls of water over head. Only after menstruation they have to undo their braids. • The Approach of the Sahabah to Ijtihad “I’m giving my opinion about her. If it is correct then it is from Allah, but if it is incorrect, then it is from me and the Shaytan.” [Ibn Mas’ud (May Allah be Pleased With Him)]
Gave their own opinions and judgments, and never said “This is the correct and only opinion.” Rather they said, “This is my opinion.”
A lot of people take their one madhab as Allah’s rule. o Allow for a margin of error in any opinion so as not to create any factionalism. How did the Sahaabah apply their individual capacity to arrive at an opinion by making their personal Ijtihad? Qabeelat Tayybah TCE Notes Revolution 37

• They would try to make it clear that it was their own personal Ijtihad • If not, if it was in the Qur’an • If not, if it was in the Sunnah • If neither then the Khalifah would call a meeting of the Sahaba, and they would be asked about the issue. The khalifah would pick one he agreed with, and adopt it as state law.
Umar was concerned about fatwa so much so that he would not allow the sahabaahto leave Madinah without his permission, because he needed their assistance and consultation. • Abdullah ibn Mas'ud one time had an issue on inheritance. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari was asked and he gave his opinion and then he said that if you want, go ask Abdullah ibn Mas'ud – they went to ibn Mas'ud who said if I give the answer that I just heard from you it means that I would be lying about Allah and his Messenger. They then went back to Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, who said, as long as there is this great scholar among you (Ibn Mas'ud), don’t ask me. Sources of Legislation in this Period