Preferring the statements of the Prophet ﷺ over opinions of others

al-Shabi said to me, "Whatever they tell you about the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ˹said˺ then take it, but whatever they say based on their own opinions, then cast it aside."

قَالَ لِيَ الشَّعْبِيُّ «مَا حَدَّثُوكَ هَؤُلَاءِ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَخُذْ بِهِ وَمَا قَالُوهُ بِرَأْيِهِمْ فَأَلْقِهِ فِي الْحُشِّ»