The ‘Ulamaa differed in respect to the Hujjiyah (evidential validity) of the Qawl of the Sahaabiy. They did not differ absolutely and the following are some details related to this:

1 – The Qawl of the Sahaabiy in respect to that which has no text (Nass) for it from the matters of the Shar’iyah that are not understandable by the ‘Aql, was considered to be a Hujjah by the ‘Ulamaa and obligatory to be worked with or utilised in accordance to the view of the Jumhoor (majority). They reason this opinion of theirs by stating that the Sahaabiy must have heard it from the Messenger (saw). The Ahnaaf presented examples of that including that which was narrated from the mother of believers ‘Aa’ishah (ra): “The pregnancy does not remain in the stomach of the mother for more than two years”.

2 – The Qawl of the Sahaabiy upon which agreement has taking place over it is considered to be a Hujjah Shar’iyah because it represents an Ijmaa’ of the Sahaabah. Similarly, the Qawl of the Sahaabiy for which opposition is not known is regarded to be from the Ijmaa’ As-Sukootiy which also represents a Hujjah Shar’iyah for those who uphold Ijmaa’ As-Sukootiy.

3 – The Qawl of the Sahaabiy is not considered to be binding upon a Sahaabiy like him. That is because we have seen the Sahaabah (rah) differing in matters amongst themselves in the case where the opinion or Ijtihaad of one of them was not made binding upon the other.

4 – The Qawl of the Sahaabiy about a Ra’y (opinion) and Ijtihaad:

This is in which difference has taken place. Does it represent a Hujjah for those who come after them or not?