Marja'

In Shia Islam, marjaʿ (Arabic: مرجع‎; plural: marājiʿ), also known as a marjaʿ taqlīd or marjaʿ dīnī (Arabic: مرجع تقليد / مرجع ديني‎), literally meaning "source to imitate/follow" or "religious reference", is a title given to the highest level Shia authority, a Grand Ayatollah with the authority to make legal decisions within the confines of Islamic law for followers and less-credentialed clerics. After the Qur'an and the prophets and imams, marājiʿ are the highest authority on religious laws in Usuli Shia Islam.

193134

Taqlid . Marja'

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, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 4 months ago

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.

202425

Taqlid . Sunni-Shi'a . Marja'

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.

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.

199725

Woman . Tatbir . Marja'

Is there any Marja who permits women to perform Tatbir or Qama Zani?

Tatbir and Qanazani are usually done in groups in public, and woman is required to observe full Hijab. I don't know about any Marja' permitting women to show her hair in front of non Mahram under any circumstance.

Wassalam.

197232

Khula . Husband . Consent . Marja'

Can a Marja grant Khula if the husband is absent, with the wife not compensating him and obtaining the Khula without his consent through the Marja?

Marja' of Taqleed has the right to issue Khul'a Talaq if the husband is not responding to the Marja's calling him to give his wife's full rights or giving her divorce.

Wassalam.

193059

Cryptocurrency . Shi'a . Marja' . Options trading

Could you provide the names of Shi'a Maraje' who allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives or futures?

List of Shia great scholars who allow cryptocurrency dealings include Ayatullah Sayyed Musa Shubayri Zanjani in Qum, and Ayatullah Shaikh Baqir Ayrawani in Najaf Ashraf and Ayatullah Shaikh Hasan Jawahiri in Najaf Ashraf. Late Ayatullah Sayyed Sa'eed Al-Hakeem in Najaf Ashraf allowed also dealing with crypto currencies.

Wassalam.

191088

Marja' . Cryptocurrency . Sayyid Ali Hussaini Sistani

Can you provide the names of any Marjas who permit futures trading? I am currently following Ayatollah Sistani, but I believe he has not addressed cryptocurrency or futures trading in his guidance.

Ayatullah Sayed Musa Zinjani of Qum allows dealing with cryptocurrencies provided it does not break the law of the land and does not harm anyone.

Ayatullah Shaikh Bakir Airawani of Najaf and Ayatullah Shaikh Hasan Jawahiri of Najaf say that dealing with cryptocurrencies is permissible.

Wassalam.

157206

Doubt . Fatwa . Marja'

What should you do when you are uncertain about a Marja's Fatwa and have no knowledge or source for their reasoning? Is blind following in such cases justified?

The Marja' of Taqleed is the most or one of the most knowledgeable jurisprudence's experts,who has done full research and authentic evidence on his verdict. Unexperts can not be certain or uncertain about a Fatwa because they have no experience on juridrudence. Highest medical scientist does need his patients to be certain or uncertain when he has his scientific evidence on what he should do with a certain medical condition. Following the highest expert does not mean blind following but an enlightened following because your reason tells you to follow the most knowledgeable in every subject.

'Wassalam.

172563

Marja' . Sayyid . Sayyid Ali Hussaini Sistani . Sayyid Ali Khamene'i

Are the son-in-laws of our Marjas, Ayatullah Khamenei and Agha Sistani, of Sayyed or Non-Sayyed background?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 1 year ago

Bismihi ta'ala

There is no shar'i requirement for a Seyid/Seyidah to marry a Seyidah/Seyid. This is a personal preference and a cultural practice. It is also something that has taken a lot of negative direction to it as well, because some good suitors are being rejected because they are "non-seyids".

Many of our esteemed Maraji' and great scholars who were Seyids have married their daughters off to non-Seyids, and that itself is enough for us to break this wrong practice that some families insist on observing.

And Allah knows best

169751

Fatwa . Marja' . Tab'id

Why can't we follow multiple Marjas when we find that more than one is knowledgeable, and we believe that each gives Fatwas after extensive research on Quran and Hadith, with some being more knowledgeable in certain matters and others in other matters?

Proper Taqleed is following and implementing the verdict of the most knowledgeable Mujtahid. It is not a pick and choose or taking what you like. The verdicts of the most knowledgeable (Al-A'lam) among all the Mujtahids must be followed. If you have real evidence the Marje' A is more knowledgeable in any field of Fiqh than other Mujtahids, then you can follow him in that field only. Having such evidence is not easy at all and it needs witnesses from the high category of Ulama (Ahlul Khibrah).

Wassalam.

169752

Girl . Marja' . Marriage

Which Marjas permit a mature (Rashida) girl to marry without permission from her guardians?

Bismihi ta'ala

In general our esteemed Maraji' permit a female who meets the shar'i requirement of being a balighah rashidah, to marry without a need of a guardian's consent, as long as the condition of her being so is correctly defined and understood.

It is not just a matter of maturity, but that she has absolute independence in her affairs, not just financial, but social as well. And that she is completely consciously aware of what is good and what is bad for her, and is competent in her decision making.

And Allah knows best

66763

Jumu'ah . Salah (Prayers) . Marja'

I understand that it will be obligatory to attend Friday prayers if it is led by the infallible Imam (as) or his specific representative. Would a Marja' be considered as such a representative?

Real Marja' of Taqleed who has all the conditions mentioned by the Imam (AS) is a representative of the Imam (AS).

Wassalam.

157870

Taqlid . Sunni-Shi'a . Marja'

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?

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