1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

24 Questions

I chose a Marja based on his reputation for knowledge, but as a Baligh Shia, I am now reconsidering my choice. Are my past prayers and fasting valid? Am I allowed to switch to Sayyid Sistani or Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Your previous prayers and fasts and worship are valid as far as your intention was for the sake of Allah, and you did not violate any basic rule of worship.

Taqleed is acting upon the verdicts if the most learned scholar (Al-A’lam) who is considered by the high caliber scholars in the Hawza who are known as Ahlul Khibra أهل الخبرة.

Switching should be to the most learned Al-A’lam.

Wassalam.
I am a new follower of Shia Islam and wish to begin Taqleed. Could you please guide me on who are the top three recognized Maraji' of our time that I can follow? I understand I must follow one of them, but this matter is very confusing for me.
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Taqleed is obligatory to keep based on authentic evidence from Quran and Sunnah. The most knowledgeable Marje' is to be followed. The highly learned scholars in Hawza know who is the most knowledgeable Marje'. It is not an option between three unless all of them are in the same level of knowledge.

Wassalam.
What narrations of the Prophet (s) and the Ahlulbayt (a) can be used to prove the concept of Taqleed during the occultation of the Imam (a)?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

In Quran we read ( So, ask those who know if you don't know ( Sura 21, verse 7).

'Many Hadeeths from the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) order Muslims to learn the religious rules from those who know and never act with out knowledge. The Prophet (SAWA) said: Ask those who know. ( Amaali al-Tousi). Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (AS) said: People who don't ask the knowledgeable persons will perish. (Munyatul al Merced).

Muslim needs to know the right Islamic knowledge to follow it and be on the right path. Right knowledge can't come from lay people or from the parents or friends etc, but it must come from knowledgeable persons Ulamaa' who have spent their life in studying and researching the Islamic knowledge from Ahlul Bayt (AS). This following the evidence taken by Mujtahids is called Taqleed, without which your religious acts will be with out authentic evidence.

Wassalam.
I follow the Taqleed of one Marja and have access to his Tohzil e Masail. However, I encounter some questions outside the syllabus for which I do find answers in another Marja's Tohzil e Masail. What should I do in this situation?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

Alhamdulillah, all our esteemed Maraji' have official websites and easy channels of commication. Just make sure they are "official". Regarding scenarios or questions you might not find in his Tawdhih al-Masa`el, or Risalah 'Amaliyah, their websites usually have frequently asked questions, and you can also email, ring, or visit the office in person, or ask the Marja's wakeel.

And Allah knows best