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

I followed the taqleed of Agha Ali Khamenei since childhood, but a few years ago switched to Sayyid al-Sistani. I have now been told that changing Taqleed is not allowed. Is this true, and if so, what should I do?
Rebecca Masterton

See the below rulings:

You can change your marja by starting to refer to the edicts of the new marja and acting upon them. However, the change is permissible only if it is based on religious evidence, for example, when it is proven to you that the new marja is more knowledgeable than the current one. (Office of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammad Saeed al-Hakeem)
https://www.alhakeem.com/en/questions/799

Issue No.10- If a Mujtahid who is followed by a person, dies, one may still follow him, and if he is more learned (A'lam) than a living Mujtahid, it is obligatory (wajib) to continue to remain in his taqlid, provided that he has acted on his fatwa or at least has undertook to act, in practice, upon his edicts (Fatawas). But if the living Mujtahid is more learned than his dead Mujtahid; it is obligatory to follow the living Mujtahid.

https://www.leader.ir/en/book/32/Practical-Laws-of-Islam?sn=5238

There is a consensus that it is permissible to change if you have evidence that the person you have switched to is 'the most learned.'
I am a follower of Ayatollah Syed Ali Sistani, living in Japan. If packaged food has ingredients like emulsifier, shortening, gelatin, etc., and their source is not mentioned, is it halal or should I avoid it?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'āla

Wherever you are, and whichever country you may be in, if its non-Muslim country, or even in some cases Muslim country, it is important to check and verify the ingredients of it is not made by Muslim manufacturer. 

1. If it does not have anything haram, and you have assurance that there is no shar'i issue with it, you can consider it halal.

2. Ihtiyat is always good. If you are uncomfortable about a certain product, being halal or haram, best to avoid. 

3. It is not you absolute duty to investigate, and pry into everything, but you cannot easily turn away from it as well. 

Try to stick with things you know are made in Muslim country. Try to find alternatives, and remember that with the difficulty you endure, you will be rewarded more.

And Allah knows best
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

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.
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.
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

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.