and a man from the Ansar, in the stream-beds of Al-Harrah (4). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Al-Zubayr: "Irrigate, then send the water to your neighbor." The Ansari said: "Because he is the son of your paternal aunt?" The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) became angry and said to Al-Zubayr: "Irrigate, then withhold the water until it reaches the walls (5)." (Agreed upon) (6). Thus, he passed judgment while he was in a state of anger. It has been said that anger only hinders the judge (7) if it occurs before the ruling on the issue has become clear to him; however, if the ruling has become clear and then the anger occurs, it does not hinder him, because the truth had already become manifest before the anger, so the anger has no effect upon it.

1866 - Issue: He said: "And when a difficult matter befalls him, he shall consult the people of knowledge and trustworthiness regarding it."

In summary, if a case comes before the judge and its ruling is clear to him from the Book of Allah the Almighty, or the Sunnah of His Messenger, or consensus (ijma'), or a clear analogy (qiyas), he shall judge and does not need the opinion of others. This is due to the words of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to Mu'adh when he sent him to Yemen: "How will you judge?" He replied: "By the Book of Allah." He asked: "If you do not find it?" He replied: "By the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)." He asked: "If you do not find it?" He replied: "I will exercise my own reasoning (ijtihad), and I will not fall short." He said: "Praise be to Allah who has guided the messenger of the Messenger of Allah to that which pleases the Messenger of Allah" (1). If he needs to exercise reasoning (ijtihad), it is recommended for him to consult others, due to the words of Allah the Almighty: "And consult them in the matter" (2). Al-Hasan said: "Even if the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was in no need of consulting them, he only wanted for judges after him to follow this as a practice" (3). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) indeed consulted his companions.