The fear of the redecessors towards giving ruling

Ibn Wahb reported from Muhammad ibn Sulaymaan Al-Muraady from Abu Is-haaq, ‘I used to see a man from that time who would enter and ask a question, and would be referred from one gathering to another, until he was referred to the gathering of Sa’eed ibn Al-Musayyib, asnd all this would be because they used to hate giving rulings.’ (I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1:35) Sa’eed would then answer him, and Sa’eed was definitely the most knowledgeable among the succeeding generation of that of the companions, and the son in law of Abu Hurayrah  and the inheritor of his knowledge. Sahnoon said, ‘I have memorized religious issues, some of which have eight opinions from eight Imaams, so how can I be hasty in giving an answer before being sure of it? Why would I be blamed for not answering?’ (I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1:35) This means that if the issue had eight opinions, why should I be hasty in giving my opinion before mulling it over, and why would I be blamed for not answering? The issue may have had Imaams who gave rulings for, and yet you have some youth who say, ‘They were men and we too are men!’ Huthayfah said, “Only three types of people give rulings: A person who knows what has been abrogated in the Qur’aan, a leader who has no other recourse, or a fool who is above his head!” Ibn Seereen said, ‘I am neither the first or second, and I do not wish to be the third!,’ (I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1:35) that is the fool who is above his head.