Qais bin Abbad said: I said to ‘All (Allah be pleased with him): Tell me about this march of yours. Is this an order that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had given you, or is this your opinion that you have? He said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not give me any order; but this is an opinion that I have.
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
The disputes among the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) were based on their own ijtihadi opinions, in which one party was upon the truth and the other was contrary to it. However, due to their sincerity and good intentions, both were rewarded. And in the conflict between Muawiyah (radi Allahu anhu) and Ali (radi Allahu anhu), Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was closer to the truth.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 4666