Now if this layman’s heart is more content with the knowledge and piety of one of these ῾ulama, then it is wājib (compulsory) for him to follow the ruling of that ῾ālim (who he is more content with). However, if his heart does not distinguish between these two ῾Ulama, and consider them both equal in their knowledge and piety, then in this case it will be compulsory (wājib) for him to follow the one who issued the verdict of impermissibility. This is because in this case the issue has become from the doubtful matters and such that one becomes obligated to abstain from. (Taqrīr Tirmidhi of Mufti Taqi Uthmani, Vol. 1 Pg. 35-37)