BENEFIT: Can one exercise Ijtihād in Matters of Aqeedah?

Question The Questioner says: What is the ruling on exercising independent reasoning (ijtihād) in matters of creed (‘Aqīdah)? And if someone exercises ijtihād and his statement inclines toward some of the deviant sects, is he considered from them, or is he still from Ahlus-Sunnah Wal Jamā‘ah? Shaykh Muhammad Ba Jammal hafidahullah Whoever is qualified for ijtihād may exercise ijtihād. However, in matters of creed, the foundation is that one takes creed from the Salaf; he takes beliefs from the Salaf. So how can he exercise ijtihād contrary to the methodology of the Salaf? Such ijtihād is false and rejected. But if the issue is obscure and unclear, and a person exerts effort and misses the correct view, then if he is alive, the correct position should be clarified to him in the best manner with gentleness, softness, and respect so long as the one speaking is from the people of knowledge and qualified for ijtihād. If he accepts that, then all praise is due to Allah. But if he still has some doubt remaining with him, then caution is made regarding him according to the extent of the doubt he possesses. If he recognises the truth yet stubbornly clings to falsehood, then he is warned against; yes, he is warned against. As for a person who is merely pretending to have knowledge and says, ‘I made ijtihād, I made ijtihād' Who are you to exercise ijtihād? Submit in these matters to what has been transmitted from the Salaf, refrain from delving into such issues, and stop where the people stopped.” Source: https://t.me/EngFatawaboxes_9_9_9_Bot/393