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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

26 Questions

Where can I find a comprehensive list of the currently living Maraji' of Taqleed? What is the process that determines how they enter that list? Is there a council of scholars that identifies them or are there elections for their appointment?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

The Marja' of Taqleed does not come through election, selection nor appointment. He reaches to this status of knowledge by his own hard work and dedication and sincerity with the help of Allah (SWT). The scholars in the Hawza are the responsible persons to identify and recognize the level of knowledge of the Mujtahid scholar and whether he is entitled to be Marja' or not. Such high level of scholars give witness that this Mujtahid is a Marje' then people can do his Taqleed.

Wassalam.
If someone did not know about Taqleed and later learned that they must follow a Mujtahid, do they need to repeat all their prayers and fasts?
Rebecca Masterton

No, they do not need to repeat them.
As an American revert to Shi'a Islam how do I go about deciding on a Marja' to follow in Taqleed?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

The concept of taqleed is indeed something important to look into, and although it sounds complex it is pretty straight forward. 

1. Read about this topic from reliable sources, and educate yourself about the basics of taqleed.

2. Consult with a reputable qualified scholar about the selecting of a Marja'.

3. It should not take more than a few minutes for you to make the intention and follow the correct criteria for following a Marja' taqleed.

4. Do not complicate things by politicising your choice, or being influenced by hearsay, or looking for an "easy" Marja'.

5. Stick with mainstream, and do not be diverted to other ways.

Wassalam
Is it okay for a follower of Ayatullah Shirazi to open the fast according to the nearest Arab city, such as Najaf or Karbala, if one would otherwise have to fast for more that 19 hours?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

It is not allowed to break the fast before the start of the night as we read in Quran (ثم أتموا الصيام إلى الليل ) (And complete fasting till night). This is the Quranic order which can never be challenged. This is for all people who have day and night in 24 hours.

If you live in a place where there is no day and night in 24 hours, then you need to either leave the place to  another place where there is day and night in every 24 hours or to follow the timings of Salah of the nearest place to you. There is question at all to follow the timings of places which very far away from your place like Makkah, Madina, Najaf, Karbala etc.