['Aalim Network QR] Marjae Taqlid

[abbas@dircon.co.uk (Abbas Jaffer)]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
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Salamun Alaykum,

The following question was kindly answered by Dr Liyakatali Takim.

Regards

Abbas Jaffer
Moderator - Alim Network

........................................................................

Assalam alaykum

I'm interested to know more about Shia. I had been Sunni for more than 30 years.
My questions are :

1. How many marja' taqlid exist today ?
2. How can I choose one of them ?
3. I can't speak Arabic or Persian, is there any Islamic Law book written by
the marja' taqlid, so I can do taqlid to one of them ? and how can I get
that book ?

Thank you very much for your answer

.........................................................................

Salaamun 'Alaykum;

There are many maraji taqlid today. Amongst the most famous ones are
Ayatullah Seestani, Ayatullah Ruhani, Ayatullah Lankarani and Ayatullah
Khamenei.

You should choose to follow the one who is the most learned (a'lam) of them.
One who is an expert in the field can decide on his own as to who to follow.
Alternatively, one can follow the opinions  of the specialists in the field
(ahl al-khibra) in deciding which Ayatullah to follow.

Many Ayatullahs who have passed away in the past decade had their works
translated to English. Of the present ones, I am only aware of Ayatullah
Seestani's risala being translated. Depending on where you live, it can be
obtained fairly easily. You may obtain it from the World Federation
(0181-954-9881) (if you are living in England) or from Mihrab publishers
(905-731-6920) if you are living in USA or Canada.

May Allah bless and guide you.

Your brother in Islam

Liyakatali


Further Information:

Address of World Federation

World Federation
P O Box 60
Wood Lane
Stanmore
Middlesex
HA7 4JB
United Kingdom

Address of Mihrab Publishers

Mihrab Publishers & Book Distributors
17 Kevi Crescent
Richmond Hill 
Ontario
Canada

Ayatullah Seestani's Islamic Laws can be viewed on line at web address

http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~yusufali/islam/laws/index.html