Also it is important to pay attention to the fact that the...

Also it is important to pay attention to the fact that the Arabic word alhawadith is the plural form of hadtha but in Arabic literature, the language of muhadith and that of fuqaha, it does not mean the same thing as accident in English.

Here alhawadithul waqia refers to all new situations that an individual comes across.[^3] Another fact to consider is that the Current Imam (as) on one hand directed common people to consult fuqaha of their time to seek solutions to new problems, on the other hand he declared these fuqaha as the authority. So it is mandatory (wajib) to follow their instructions just like it is mandatory to follow Imam’s instructions.

The saying also conveys the message that there is accountability for disobeying the fuqaha just like there is accountability for disobeying the Imam. Some scholars doubt the authenticity of this saying. They claim that the tradition narrator is Ishaq Bin Yaqub who is not a known personality. However, the fact is that in the scholarly world Ishaq Bin Yaqub is not an unknown person. He is the brother and teacher of a reliable friend of Islam, Muhammad Bin Yaqub Kalini.

None of the greats of the world of hadith have called him a weakling. In addition, Al Rejal, the author of Qamus (Arabic dictionary) has also authenticated him. In addition, the referenced saying has been quoted by Sheikh Saduq (died 381 H) in Kamal Uddin; Sheikh Tusi in Ghaibat; Tibrisi in Ihtejaj; and Allama Hurr al-Amili in Wasayl ush-Shia. They have all listed Muhammad Bin Yaqub as the source.[^4] 2 If such hadith specialists consider this saying authentic, there is no place for any doubters.