And the sign of being just is that one is apparently of a good character...

And the sign of being just is that one is apparently of a good character, so that if enquiries are made about him from the people of his locality, or from his neighbours, or from those persons with whom he lives, they would confirm his good conduct.

And if one knows that the verdicts of the Mujtahids differ with regard to the problems which we face in everyday life, it is necessary that the Mujtahid who is followed be A'lam (the most learned), who is more capable of understanding the divine laws than any of the contemporary Mujtahids. Issue 3: There are three ways of identifying a Mujtahid, and the A'alam: • when a person is certain that a particular person is a Mujtahid, or the most learned one.

For this, he should be a learned person himself, and should possess the capacity to identify a Mujtahid or an A'alam; • when two persons, who are learned and just and possess the capacity to identify a Mujtahid or the A'alam, confirm that a person is a Mujtahid or an A'lam, provided that two other learned and just persons do not contradict them.

In fact, being a Mujt ahid or an A'lam can also be established by a statement of only one trusted and reliable person; • when a number of learned persons who possess the capacity to identify a Mujtahid or an A'lam, certify that a particular person is a Mujtahid or an A'lam, provided that one is satisfied by their statement.

Issue 4: * If one generally knows that the verdicts of Mujtahids do vary in day to day matters, and also that some of the Mujtahids are more capable than the others, but is unable to identify the most learned one, then he should act on precaution based on t heir verdicts. And if he is unable to act on precaution, then he should follow a Mujtahid he supposes to be the most learned. And if decides that they are all of equal stature, then he has a choice.

Issue 5: There are four ways of obtaining the verdicts of a Mujtahid: • When a man hears from the Mujtahid himself. • When the verdict of the Mujtahid is quoted by two just persons. • When a man hears the verdict from a person whose statement satisfies him. • By reading the Mujtahid's book of Masae'l, provided that, one is satisfied about the correctness of the book.

Issue 6: As long as a person is certain that the verdict of the Mujtahid has not changed, he can act according to what is written in the Mujtahid's book. And if he suspects that the verdict might have been changed, investigation in that matter is not necessary .