Taqlid: Is Taqlīd Valid If One Doubts the Most Learned Mujtahid’s Qualifications?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Taqlid: Is Taqlīd Valid If One Doubts the Most Learned Mujtahid’s Qualifications?

English:

Question #17

Thinking that the most learned mujtahid possibly lacks some qualifications, someone follows another mujtahid. Is his taqlīd valid?

Answer #17

According to caution, the mere probability that the most learned mujtahid lacks the required qualifications does not make it permissible to follow a mujtahid who is not the most learned in issues upon which the two disagree.

- Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Rules of Taqlid, Conditions of Taqlid