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

I am new to Shia Islam, and I am unsure how to select the Marja of Taqlid to follow, particularly considering I reside in California, USA. Could you provide guidance on this matter?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

1. I would recommend you learn as much as you can about Islamic jurisprudence, and the method of selecting a Marja' Taqleed. This lesson will in shaa Allah help you: 

2. Once you have developed a good understanding of selecting a Marja' taqleed, you will know that it is important to follow the "most learnt", and most commonly followed. 

3. Should you have any further questions, speak to your local qualified scholar.

With prayers for your success
Is it necessary to blindly follow a Marja in Taqleed? Is there any proof from Ahadith about this matter?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

In every field of knowledge, reasonable persons follow the highly knowledgeable experts in that field. It is the logic of life that the less knowing must refer to the most knowing. It is in medicine, engineering, law, etc and no one objects on it at all. Why some people doubt it when it comes to religious knowledge? This doubt is illogical. Allah is Quran ordered to refer to those who are more knowledgeable.(Sura Al-Nahl, verse 43 and Sura Al-Angiaa', verse 7 and Sura Faaturm verse 14).

Following the verdict of the Marje' is the way for people to follow the authentic evidence derived by the highly learned experts in Islamic knowledge. Those who doubt Taqleed do not have any other way to know the evidence because they themselves are not experts in Islamic knowledge. Some of them follow less knowledgeable persons instead of following more knowledgeable which is type of injustice.

Wassalam.
If my Marja's view is that non-Muslims are impure based on obligatory precaution, but another scholar such as Ayatullah Makarem Shirazi holds the opinion that they are pure, can I follow his view on this matter?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

You need to request your Marje’ to guide you to the second most learned after him so that you can refer to in the matters which your Marje’ does not have a verdict on.

Wassalam.
Is it considered allowed to set aside the full amount of Khums on the anniversary day but delay the actual payment until one is able to travel and physically deliver the Khums to the Marja's office rather than pay through a local charity?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

It is obligatory to pay the Khums as soon as possible with out any delay. If you are in a place where you can not deliver the Khums to the Marje' of Taqleed or any trusted person who is authorised by the Marje' to receive, means that you no way to deliver the Khums, then you can wait but try your best to find a safe way to deliver as soon as you can. Delaying or postponing Khums delivery with out serious reason is not allowed.

Wassalam.