Modern civilization has it that you find the principle of...

Modern civilization has it that you find the principle of specialized professions in every discipline that you turn to when in need. Let us take an example. Let it be from the realm of medicine. Should you fall ill, God forbids, what would you do? * I would consult a doctor and explain to him the symptoms of my illness. He could then prescribe for me the appropriate medicine. - Why don’t you diagnose your illness and prescribe the medicine? * I ‘m not a doctor. - The same goes for jurisprudence.

You need to consult a jurist to be able to know the bounds of Allah’s injunctions. You may need to seek his specialist knowledge in solving your legal problems, should you have any. This works in exactly the same way when you seek the specialist knowledge of the doctor and enlist his help in curing your illness. Since you spare no effort in looking for an experienced doctor in his field of specialization, you will need to look for the most knowledgeable amongst the jurists to follow.

This is so because you need his expertise to explain to you religious matters and show you how to act upon them as he sees fit. * How would I know that a particular alim is a jurist, and whether he is the most erudite and the best in the field? - Let me put it this way: How would you know that a particular doctor is the best in his field to trust his medical judgement? * I would be able to know after asking those who are concerned with and experts in medical matters.

I could also know him through his scientific prowess and widespread good reputation among the generality. - Precisely! By the same means, you should be able to know the jurists or the most erudite among them. You may ask a committed Muslim who is known to be of impeccable character, trustworthy, just, knowledgeable and expert in knowing the scientific level of people in a particular discipline.

Popularity of the jurist which sets him in a different league from his peers, so much so that this leads to certainty as regards his juridical prowess and knowledge, is another avenue. * Are there any other conditions, apart from that of juridical excellence, that should be present in the jurist we should follow? - He should be a man, adult, sane, believer, just, living not dead, of pure pedigree, and should not be prone to mistakes, forgetfulness, and inattention. * Well.

Here I am, a fully fledged man. I now know something about taqleed. What else should I do? - You should follow the most erudite among the jurists of your time.