What is the reality of the Prophet's ijtihad (independent reasoning) regarding matters on which there is no text, and would affirming this lead to the claim that only the Quran is a source of evidence, and that the Sunnah should be considered like the fatwas (religious opinions) of mujtahids (qualified scholars), despite the existence of Allah's saying: "Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination," and the Messenger's saying: "Hold fast to my Sunnah"?

The Sharia has mandated obedience to the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, by following his Sunnah, and everything that emanated from him is truth, without a doubt. It is permissible for the Prophet to exercise ijtihad (independent reasoning) in worldly matters and in managing wars, by consensus. Scholars differed on his ijtihad in Sharia and religious rulings, holding three opinions: prohibition, suspension, and permissibility. The majority view is that his ijtihad is permissible; if it was correct, it was affirmed, and if it was incorrect, revelation descended to correct it. Examples include the prisoners of Badr and granting permission to the hypocrites in the Battle of Tabuk. The ijtihad of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in Sharia rulings for which there is no explicit text, if affirmed, must be followed.