ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Taqleed & Ijtihad And this is How Quran Guides Even though there are several verses in Allah’s Book that shed light on the issue of Taqleed. However, to keep it brief, we will refer to only two of them. One is: فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ “If you do not know, then ask أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ Ahluz Zikr, [i.e. those who know – the learned ones].” [^1] This verse – full of guidance – describes a basic principle.

The “ignorant” should benefit from the “knowledgeable”. If someone is unaware of a fact, he should ask someone who is aware. Here it is quite obvious that the verse decrees it necessary that one should ask in order to know the issues of Sharia. So in case of ignorance it is mandatory (wajib) to ask an authentic scholar. At this point the intellect asks. Is the question being asked just for the fun of it? Is it being asked to show off one’s intelligence?

Or is it being asked to test the knowledge of the scholar? It is quite obvious that the verse does not command asking frivolous questions. Rather the intent is that the lack of knowledge is taken care of. That the ignorant becomes wiser. And now that the person knows, he will not have any problem acting on it. This is the logical proof of the need for Taqleed. It is possible that some people may say that the word Ahluz Zikr refers to the Virtuous Ahlul Bayt. Yes, we believe the same.

It is our belief that at the first level, our Righteous Guides are the Ahluz Zikr. But then they tell us that after them Fuqaha and Ulama of the Ummah assume the leadership role. And if this clear fact and truth is not accepted, then no one can stop absolute ignorance from becoming the fate of the Ummah. Not every member of the society is capable of scholarly discourse.

And during the occultation of Last Imam – the true learned (who has been taught directly by the Creator) – no one has access to him, the only logical solution is to consult those who have been taught indirectly and know and act on Imam’s teachings. The second command of Quran comes in the one hundred and twenty second verse of Surah Tauba.

The sacred verse says: وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً ۚ فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طَائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ “It is not essential that all believers should go.

✦ ✦ ✦