Marja'eyah in the sense of giving a fatwa is a jurisprudential term which is antonymous with the word "Taqlid". In Islamic legal terminology taqlid refers to the practice of following the decisions of a religious authority without necessarily examining the scriptural basis or reasoning of that decision. In Islamic jurisprudence taqlid of someone regarded as a learned religious authority is completely acceptable and rational in the details of the laws of the religion (shariah), such as matters of worship and personal affairs. - Questions Archive - IslamQuest is a reference for Islamic questions on the internet

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Summary of question

Marja'eyah in the sense of giving a fatwa is a jurisprudential term which is antonymous with the word "Taqlid". In Islamic legal terminology taqlid refers to the practice of following the decisions of a religious authority without necessarily examining the scriptural basis or reasoning of that decision. In Islamic jurisprudence taqlid of someone regarded as a learned religious authority is completely acceptable and rational in the details of the laws of the religion (shariah), such as matters of worship and personal affairs.

question

What is meant by Marj'eyah and Taqlid? Is Taqlid desirable?

Concise answer

Marja'eyah in the sense of giving a fatwa is a jurisprudential term the opposite of which is the term "Taqlid". That is to say, whoever is a Marj'a, others are his muqallid (followers). In order to analyze the concept of Marja'eyah, we must explain the meaning of "Taqlid".

Taqlid in Persian language has a load of meaning which implies following someone without knowing the reason. It is a blind imitation which is reproached. Allama Iqbal says in his famous poem as such:

Khalq ra taqlid shan bar baad daad

Ay doosad la'nat bar ein taqlid baad.

[The people were destroyed owing to their blind imitation. May a thousand curses be upon such an imitation.]

Iqbal's poem refers to blind imitation. However, in Islamic jurisprudence the term "taqlid" means referring to an expert in a technical matter. Hence, unlike the first meaning which is unwanted and rejected, the second meaning of "taqlid" is completely acceptable and rational. The most important reason for the permissibility of taqlid in religious affairs rests in the very rational point that every layman or inexpert individual turns to an expert for advice on technical and specialized issues. All the textual proofs and evidence of taqlid including the Quranic verse "Ask those who know, if you do not know"[1] and also narrations imply the same meaning of taqlid which is acceptable to every wise individual.

Having said that, Marja is a jurist competent enough to deduce precise inferences regarding the commandments from the religious sources [i.e. the holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the holy Prophet].