Guidance and direction

As Muslims we look for guidance and direction in Al Quran and Allah's previous revelations, substantiated by the Servant and Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, SAW and the previous messengers. Since Al Quran is the confirmation of all previous messages from Almighy God, it is easy for us to use it as our prime reference. It is worth noting that it is also the only message of Almighty God that exists in its original form of text and content.
It is there mandatory that reference be always made to Al Quran and if necessary, demonstrated by the life Muhammad SAW.
Whenever views, opinions, guidance, direction and injunctions are stated, they must always have the following properties:

1 15:1 A. L. R. These are the Ayats of Revelation,- of a Qur’an that makes things clear .

26:2 These are verses of the Book that makes (things) clear

They must be clear. (easy to understand and not confusing)

2 18:1 Praise be to Allah, Who hath sent to His Servant the Book, and hath allowed therein no Crookedness:

They must be straightforward.

3. 27:2 A guide: and glad tidings for the believers,-

31:3 A Guide and a Mercy to the Doers of Good,-

44:6 As Mercy from thy Lord: for He hears and knows (all things);

They must offer hope.

4. 43:3 We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom).

41:3 A Book, whereof the verses are explained in detail;- a Qur'an in Arabic, for people who understand;-

They must make sense.

4. 3:110 YOU ARE indeed the best community that has ever been brought forth for [the good of] mankind: you enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and you believe in God. Now if the followers of earlier revelation had attained to [this kind of] faith, it would have been for their own good; [but only few] among them are believers, while most of them are iniquitous:

They must enjoin what is right and forbid wrongdoing.
When this is achieved then and only then will we become the best community.

5. 5:3 ............This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.............

They lmust lead to or result in Peace, love, harmony and tolerance.

6. 2:256 THERE SHALL BE no coercion in matters of faith. Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing.

They should not force religious beliefs on others nor compel non-Muslims to become Muslims.

7. 4:135 O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even though it be against your own selves or your parents and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned be rich or poor, God's claim takes precedence over [the claims of] either of them. Do not, then, follow your own desires, lest you swerve from justice: for if you distort [the truth], behold, God is indeed aware of all that you do!

They should lead to justice and equity.

The above guidance from Al Quran will enable to determine when we are being given the correct advice and leadership. It does not matter the apparent scholar, reputation, piety or status of the person delivering the message.