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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books On the Shore of Contemplation, Volume 1 The Necessity of Following the Orders of the Supreme Leader Question: Is it Obligatory to Follow the Orders of the Supreme Leader? First off, we must mention the following point that: An issue which is tied to the management of the affairs of the society – for the Prophet (SAWW), the infallible Imam (AS) and also for the Jurist - is related to the discussion of the ‘wilayat tashrii’ or the ‘legislative authority’.

This is what is referred to in the verse of the Qur`an which reads: أَلنَّبِيُّ أَوْلـى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ... “The Prophet has a greater authority over the believers than they have over their own selves.” [^1] In addition, there is a hadith which states: مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلاَهُ فَهَذَا عَلِيٌّ مَوْلاَهُ. “Whosoever I am his master, this Ali is also his master (and authority).” At this juncture, this verse and hadith form the basis of our discussion.

Therefore, the ‘legislative authority’ refers to the ‘judicial authority’. This means that a person can and has the right to, through the establishment and formation of laws and their implementation, intervene in the lives of the people and the society while others are obliged to submit to such an individual and follow his laws. The meaning of: أَلنَّبِيُّ أَوْلـى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ...

“The Prophet has a greater authority over the believers than they have over their own selves.” ^2 is that when the Prophet (SAWW) decides on an issue for an individual Muslim or for the entire Islamic society, it is obligatory to follow that decision. In addition, any resolution which the people would make in relation to themselves or the entire society would be superseded by the decision of the Prophet (SAWW)!

In other words, the society is in need of one powerful point of reference for which, in the face of societal issues, this focal-point would have the right and power to speak the final word and in the verse of the Qur`an quoted above, Allah (SWT) has clearly identified the central point on the pyramid of authority.

Therefore, the ‘Guardianship of the Jurist’ is not in the meaning of the mere guardianship over the mental challenged or simple minded people [since such individuals do not have ability to maintain themselves and conduct their own lives, they are in need of an authority and assistant].

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