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Salamun alaykum. Kindly reply to my questions with a view to the explanations provided below: According to Supreme Leader of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, it is not permissible as a measure of obligatory precaution, to turn to an equally qualified Marja (jurist) for Taqlid. Also, I know that Grand Ayatollah Sistani has stated clearly that it is permissible to turn to an equally qualified Marja. Considering that Supreme Leader’s answer is based on precaution and Ayatollah Sistani has an explicit fatwa in this regard, I believe I can refer to Ayatollah Sistani in this regard. Now my questions are as follows: 1. When I refer to Ayatollah Sistani and act according to his fatwa in this regard, do I have to follow him in jurisprudential issues of my concern or I can, as per his fatwa, refer to an equally qualified Marja such as Grand Ayatollah Saafi Gulpaigani or Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi? 2. Keeping in view the above explanation, if I do not follow another Marja instead of Ayatollah Khamenei in issues regarding fasting, does it mean that the new Marja would be my Marja in all jurisprudential issues (i.e. the Supreme Leader will no longer be my Marja) or is it that I will follow him in matters regarding fasting but I will remain a Muqallid of Ayatollah Khamenei in other issues? (In fact, I want to know whether referring to a Marja requires the follower to follow him in all issues or does it mean that he will follow him in one or two issues). 3. If I refer from the Supreme Leader to another Marja in a single issue, can I reverse to the leader following him once again later on or should I follow the new Maraj for ever? 4. On the whole, is he who refers to another Marja supposed to follow the new Marja in one issue only or can he follow him in an entire subject such as fasting or prayer?
Salamun alaykum. Kindly reply to my questions with a view to the explanations provided below: According to Supreme Leader of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, it is not permissible as a measure of obligatory precaution, to turn to an equally qualified Marja (jurist) for Taqlid. Also, I know that Grand Ayatollah Sistani has stated clearly that it is permissible to turn to an equally qualified Marja. Considering that Supreme Leader’s answer is based on precaution and Ayatollah Sistani has an explicit fatwa in this regard, I believe I can refer to Ayatollah Sistani in this regard. Now my questions are as follows: 1. When I refer to Ayatollah Sistani and act according to his fatwa in this regard, do I have to follow him in jurisprudential issues of my concern or I can, as per his fatwa, refer to an equally qualified Marja such as Grand Ayatollah Saafi Gulpaigani or Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi? 2. Keeping in view the above explanation, if I do not follow another Marja instead of Ayatollah Khamenei in issues regarding fasting, does it mean that the new Marja would be my Marja in all jurisprudential issues (i.e. the Supreme Leader will no longer be my Marja) or is it that I will follow him in matters regarding fasting but I will remain a Muqallid of Ayatollah Khamenei in other issues? (In fact, I want to know whether referring to a Marja requires the follower to follow him in all issues or does it mean that he will follow him in one or two issues). 3. If I refer from the Supreme Leader to another Marja in a single issue, can I reverse to the leader following him once again later on or should I follow the new Maraj for ever? 4. On the whole, is he who refers to another Marja supposed to follow the new Marja in one issue only or can he follow him in an entire subject such as fasting or prayer?

 

In the Name of God, the Most High

1. It is permissible for you to refer to any Marja who is as knowledgeable as the Marja whom you are following. However, if there is a Marja who is the most learned among all other jurists including the one whom you are following, it is wajib (obligatory) to refer to him for Taqlid. There is no doubt that A’lam (the most learned) is one whose fatwa (verdict) when compared with the fatwas of other jurists will retain its scientific value from the perspective of wise men and women. Such a thing rarely happens. That is why we are always faced with a group of high ranking and leading scholars whom we are allowed to follow.

2. Where there are two equally learned Mujtahids, you can refer to either of them in any jurisprudential issues except for when such an act leads to a definite violation of Shari’ah law. That is to say, you act in such a way that all religious authorities consider it as void and prohibited.

3. The precaution is to follow one Marja in one issue except for when acting upon the verdict of another Marja is in accordance with precaution and it is also considered permissible by the first Marja.

4. The answer is the same as answer 2.

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