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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

70 Questions

Can I rely on different Marja's on specific matters at the same time? Is it not the case that one Marja' may not deliver perfect judgements on every topic and could sometimes make mistakes?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

The Taqleed should be to the most learned scholar who is called Marja’ Taqleed. If the Marja’ has no verdict ( Fatwa) in a specific matter, you should refer to the most learned scholar after him. 

Wassalam.
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
I live in a Gulf country where the local Islamic date is different from what the Marja’ I follow has declared. Which one should I follow?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

You should follow the Marja of Taqleed and not the announcement of the government where you live. You dont need to disclose that you do not follow the government as Taqiyyah is Must on every believer.

Wassalam

Mohammad Al-Musawi
Is a cleric (marja or mufti) responsible for the correctness of actions of followers who rely on his rulings? If yes, is there any evidence for it from the Qur'an or hadith?
Zoheir Ali Esmail

Thank you for your question. A marja is responsible for deriving rulings based on sound methods from the scriptural sources when possible, or ascertaining the appropriate action that a Muslim should adopt in any given situation based on the principles of jurisprudence.

The correctness of a person's action is their own responsibility and for that reason, people in the time of the greater occultation are faced with two choices when they are unable to ascertain the rulings for themselves. They may take precaution in all matters they are not certain about (assuming they know when it is appropriate to take precaution) or they can refer to the rulings of a person who is qualified to ascertain those rulings to the best of his ability and act in accordance with them.

The main evidence for resorting to someone who is qualified, when a person themselves has no means by which to derive the rulings for themselves, is that this is the action of rational people. In the same light, the justification for corresponding with the rulings of the most qualified or most knowledgeable jurist (when the knowledge of who the most knowledgeable marja is, is possible) is that by following the most knowledgeable jurist, you can be more certain that your actions will be acceptable on the Day of Judgment.

May you always be successful.