Which scholar should the layman ask?

Sheikh ’Uthaymīn raḥimahullāh said: “Do we say: 'It is obligatory upon him to search and investigate in order to find the one closest to the correct opinion, so that he asks him and acts by his ruling.' or do we say: 'He asks anyone whom he believes to be from the people of knowledge, since, the scholar who is less knowledgeable may arrive to the correct decision in a specific issue and the scholar who is better and more knowledgeable than the former may not' - the scholars differed on this; A group of the scholars are of the opinion that it is compulsory for the layman to ask the one whom he believes to be the most competent in his knowledge from amongst the scholars in his country; because, just as the person who is sick, looks for the most competent person in the field of medicine, then the same applies here, as knowledge is the remedy for the hearts. Accordingly, you must choose the most competent in knowledge as there is no difference. Other scholars hold the view that it is not compulsory because the one who is the most knowledgeable may not be so in every single issue and this opinion is supported by the fact that at the time of the Companions people would ask one who was less knowledgeable than others who were also present. My view is that he should ask the one whom he believes to be the most competent in his religion and knowledge. Not because it is compulsory, due to the possibility of this scholar making an error in a specific issue and the possibility of the one who is less knowledgeable to be correct, but because it is preferable and should be the person's first choice.” [Al-khilāf bayna Al-’Ulamā'] In sum. It is not permissible for a Muslim to pick from the statements of the scholars that which conforms to his desires. In the same way, it is not permissible to seek fatwa from those whom he thinks are lenient in giving fatwas. Rather he should be cautious with regards to his religion and ask those from the people of knowledge who are most knowledgeable and most fearful of Allāh.