If the ruling which he based on our laws is rejected...

If the ruling which he based on our laws is rejected, this rejection will be tantamount to ignoring the order of Allah -azwj and rejecting us -asws is the same as rejecting Allah -azwj , and this is the same as polytheism.” [24] Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi -asws said in a reply to Ishaq ibn Ya’qub: ”As far as newly occurring circumstances are concerned, you should turn (for guidance) to the narrators of our ahadith , for they are my proof over you just as I am Allah’s proof.” [25] From the above traditions of Masomeen -asws and an extract from Imam Hassan Askari -asws ’s tradition (which is used in support of Taqleed), it is clear that one has to consult the narrator of their -asws Ahadith and then should act according to the tradition of Divine masoom -asws , and the basis of following ‘Islam laws’ are still the traditions of Masomeen -asws rather than fatawa of a ‘Mujtahid’.

Mujtahid’s supports at this point usually say, as a matter of fact Mujtahid gives the essence of Masomeen -asws ‘s tradition in his fatwa (as a nutshell)! This leads us to Myth no. 2! Myth 2: The fatwa of a Mujtahid, in fact, is according to the traditions of Masomeen -asws ! Fact 2: This is completely based on perception of a ‘Muqallid’ for his loyalty and blind support for his Mujtahid, without any evidence, since he is denied of his right to asked for further information (Proof, see ref.

3)-according to one of the conditions between a‘Mujtahid’ and ‘Muqallid’ relationship. However, we present a hadith from Amir-ul-momaneen -asws , Whoever cites our tradition and does not refer its origin to us, commits an act of cruelty against us.’ [26] And also “Abu ‘Abdallah -asws said, ‘Beware of the branched-out lies.’ They asked the Imam -asws , “What is branched-out lies?” The Imam -asws replied, “It is when you narrate a Hadith of an Imam -asws without mentioning Imam -asws ’s name’” [27] A pro-Taqleed, may still ask here that all the above sayings of Masomeen -asws are also known to Mujtahid, as they conduct a thorough research and spend their whole lives in analysing Ahadith and issues related to ‘Fiqh’!

This counter argument leads us to Myth no. 3! Myth 3: We follow the best knowledgeable person, ‘Marja’ who has extensively studied Quran and Ahadith and if he makes a mistake, in his judgement (fatwa), then he will be responsible for his mistake but we will not be penalised for his misjudgement , as we sincerely followed the best available source of knowledge!