Taqlid: What’s the Ruling on Following a Marji‘ Without Knowing His Laws?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Taqlid: What’s the Ruling on Following a Marji‘ Without Knowing His Laws?

English:

Question #7

When some individuals, who are not well informed, are asked whom they follow, they reply: "We do not know" or say: "We follow this or that marji‘" without feeling any obligation to refer to his book on practical laws of Islam and act upon it. What is the rule concerning their actions?

Answer #7

If their actions are in accordance with caution or in agreement with the fatwā of the mujtahid to whom they were, or they are now, obligated to refer in taqlīd, their actions are ruled to be alright.

- Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Rules of Taqlid, Options: Caution, Ijtihad and Taqlid