If two fatwas from two trustworthy scholars contradict each other—one tending towards leniency and the other towards strictness—then which one should the common Muslim follow?

Issuing fatwas is a serious matter and holds a great status in religion. The Mufti is the successor of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in the function of clarification and holds a position on behalf of Allah the Almighty. One who examines fatwas must choose what is attested to by the Book (Qur'an), the Sunnah, and scholarly consensus, and adopt the preponderant opinion in matters where there is a conflict. It is not permissible for the questioner to seek out the dispensations of different madhhabs (schools of thought) or the errors of scholars; whoever does so is considered a fasiq (transgressor). When there are conflicting answers from two muftis, the questioner should not choose arbitrarily but should act based on a form of preference, considering the mufti's knowledge, piety, and God-fearingness. The mufti's fatwa does not excuse the questioner if the questioner knows that the matter, in reality, is contrary to what was stated in the fatwa. The questioner must fear Allah and is not permitted to rely solely on a jurist's fatwa if it causes hesitation, doubt, or uncertainty in their heart. Among jurisprudential differences, some are permissible and accommodate everyone, while others are not permissible and should not be acted upon.