ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Life of Imam Al-mahdipeace Be Upon Him Guardianship of the Scholar (Wilayat-e-Faqih) The Awaited Imam (a.s) has appointed the great Shia jurists as his Wali and deputies just as the Purified Imams (a.s) had appointed them from their side and commanded their Shias that during the time of the Abbasides when it is not possible to contact the Imams, they must refer to the religious jurists and seek their opinion in legal matters.

In a well-known tradition from Umar Ibne Hanzala it is mentioned that two Shia persons had a dispute and were going to present their case to the government magistrate. When Imam Sadiq (a.s) was asked if such a step was permitted, he replied, “One who presents his case to a tyrant and he gives a verdict it is invalid, even though it may be his lawful right.

Because he has got it through the verdict of a tyrant while the Almighty Allah has commanded shunning the tyrants.” I asked, “Then what should these people doa” He replied, “See who relates our traditions and narrations to you and who considers our permitted and prohibited and who possesses knowledge and information about our commands. Be prepared to follow him. I have appointed him as authority on you.

And when he commands our commands and prohibits our prohibitions and he is not obeyed, it is as if the commands of Allah were considered unimportant. And we have been denied. And one who denies us has denied Allah.

Such that he shall be in the limits of having associated with Allah.” [1] [1] Wasaelush Shia, Kitabul Qaza In this discourse, the Holy Imam (a.s) has given a general Wilayat to the jurists and made him the authority as the ruler and point of reference for all Muslims in their social aspects. Like this tradition there is another famous narration of Ibne Khadijah that the Imam (a.s) told him: “Beware! Do not take your mutual disputes to the tyrant rulers.

Rather search among yourselves and see if you can find one who is knowledgeable about our judgments and solutions to religious problems. Make him a judge among yourselves. Because I have appointed him as a judge. So take your cases to him.” [1] On the basis of this we can say that Imam Ja'far Sadiq (a.s) has appointed the just jurisprudent as the general authority and the point of reference for the Muslims.

Similar to these two traditions is an epistle of His Eminence, the Master of the Age (a.s) addressed to Shaykh al-Mufid (r.a.).