Without doubt...
Without doubt, it is obligatory to obey all of those who narrate the traditions and are considered as true scholars of the faith, however if from amongst these, there are Mara’ja who fulfill the requirements, and amongst this select group there is an individual who is recognized as the Wali al-Faqih, then he is the first one who must be followed since he possesses the guardianship over the entire Muslim nation.
As we know, following Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) can only be done under the shadow of following the orders of the Wali al-Faqih who has taken on the responsibility of guardianship of the entire community. Therefore, to disobey his orders is tantamount to disobeying the commandments of Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf).
قَالَ اللٌّهُ تَعَالـى لِعِيسَى عَظِّمِ الْعُلَمَآءَ وَ اعْرِفْ فَضْلَهُمْ فَإِنِّي فَضَّلْـتُهُمْ عَلَـى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِي إِلاَّ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ كَفَضْلِ الشَّمْسِ عَلـى الْكَوَاكِبِ وَ كَفَضْلِ الآخِرَةِ عَلـى الدُّنْـيَا وَ كَفَضْـلِــي عَلى كُلِّ شَـيْءٍ Allah, the Most High, said to ‘Isa: “Hold the scholars in great esteem and recognize their greatness since surely I have granted them greatness above all My creations, with the exception of those who have been sent as Prophets and Messengers just like the sun enjoys greatness over the other stars, and the next life enjoys greatness over the transient world, and like My greatness over all other things.”[^3] In a letter which Imam al-Hujjah (ajtf) wrote to Ishaq b.
Ya’qub, he stated: وَ أَمَّا الْحَوَادِثُ الْوَاقِعَةُ فَارْجِعُوا فِيهَا إِلـى رُوَاةِ حَدِيـثِنَا فَإِنَّهُمْ حُجَّتِي عَلَيْكُمْ وَ أَنَا حُجَّةُ اللٌّهِ (عَلَيْهِمْ) “As for (guidance in) the events which transpire, refer to those who narrate our traditions, since they are my proof over all of you and I am the proof of Allah (over them).”[^4] In a tradition from Imam Hasan b.
‘Ali al-’Askari, he said: فَأَمَّا مَنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْفُقَهَاءِ صَائِـناً لِنَفْسِهِ حَافِظاً لِدِيـنِهِ مُخَالِفاً عَلـى هَوَاهُ مُطِيعاً لِأَمْرِ مَوْلاَهُ فَلِلْعَوَامِّ أَنْ يُقَلِّدُوهُ وَ ذٌلِكَ لاَ يَكُونُ إِلاَّ بَعْضَ فُقَهَاءِ الشِّيـعَةِ لاَ كُلُّهُمْ “As for the one who is from amongst the Fuqaha (scholars) and who protects his soul safe guards his faith goes against the passions of his lowly desires obeys the commands of his master (Allah) it is required that the common people should follow him.
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