Module 5E-08 The qualities of a Mujtahid

The qualities of a Mujtahid

A person who does not have the ability to derive religious laws from their rightful sources must perform taqlid of the most learned marja‛ once he or she is baligh. A marja‛ is a mujtahid who has the necessary qualities that allow people to follow him. The people who follow him are said to be doing his taqlid.

The mujtahid who is followed should be a male adult who is a Shi‘a Ithna Ashari. He must be an adil person with good character who performs all the acts Allah has made wajib, and refrains from everything that He has made haram.

In a famous hadīth, ‘Umar ibn Hanzalah asked Imam Ja‘far as-Sadiq (a) about the legality of two Shi‘as seeking a verdict from an illegitimate ruler in a dispute over a debt or a legacy. The Imam’s (a) answer was that it was absolutely forbidden to do so. Then Ibn Hanzalah asked what the two should do.

Imam (a) replied: ‘They must seek out one of you who narrates our traditions, who is versed in what is permissible and what is forbidden, who is well-acquainted with our laws and orders, and accept him as a judge over you. If the ruling which he based on our laws is rejected, this rejection will be equal to ignoring the order of Allah, and rejecting us is the same as rejecting Allah, and this is the same as shirk.’

Imam Hasan al-Askari (a) narrates: ‘As for one among the fuqaha who is in control of his own self, protects his religion, suppresses his evil desires, and is obedient to the commands of his master, then the people should follow him.’