Taqlid: Is Belief in the Jurist Leader’s Authority Essential to Being a True Muslim?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Taqlid: Is Belief in the Jurist Leader’s Authority Essential to Being a True Muslim?

English:

Question #59

Could someone who does not believe in the absolute authority of the Jurist Leader be considered a true Muslim?

Answer #59

The lack of belief, whether based on ijtihād or taqlīd, in the absolute authority of the jurist leader during the period of occultation of the Imam al-Ḥujjah [the 12th Imam] — may our souls be sacrificed for his cause — does not lead to apostasy.

- Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Rules of Taqlid, Authority of the Jurist Leader and the Edict of the Authorised Religious Authority