Taqlid: How to Identify a Mujtahid or the Most Learned Marji

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Ayatullah Sistani

Ruling 3

A mujtahid or the most learned can be identified in one of three ways:

1. A duty-bound person (mukallaf) ¹ is certain himself [that someone is a mujtahid or the most learned]. For example, the person is a scholar himself and is able to identify a mujtahid and the most learned;

2. Two learned and dutiful people who are able to distinguish a mujtahid and the most learned confirm that someone is a mujtahid or the most learned, provided that two other learned and dutiful people do not disagree with their statement. In fact, being a mujtahid or the most learned is also established by even one expert (ahl al‑khibrah) whom one trusts;

3. A mukallaf attains confidence (iṭmiʾnān) that a person is a mujtahid or the most learned by rational means. For example, a group of scholars who are able to distinguish a mujtahid and the most learned and from whose statements one gains confidence confirm that someone is a mujtahid or the most learned.

- Ayatullah Sistani, Practical Laws of Islam, Following a Jurist (Taqlid)

1. A mukallaf is someone who is legally obliged to fulfil religious duties.