Shaykh Muhammad Nasiruddin Al-Albani was asked:

Questioner: “Shaikh, about issues of Ijtihaad

Shaikh: Yes

Questioner: Is it obligatory for a layman to ask a person of knowledge for evidence?

Shaikh: If he can understand the evidence [then yes]. Otherwise, no. Is it clear?

Questioner: Yes”

[Silsiltul-Huda wan-Nur no. 187]

And Allah Knows Best

Translated by

Faisal bin Abdul Qaadir bin Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan