Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Respected Grand Ayatullah Al-Khoei,
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,
I hope this message finds you in the best of health and iman. I am writing to seek your guidance on some pressing questions that have deeply troubled me regarding the role and differences among the Mujtahideen and their followers. As a sincere seeker of truth, I wish to clarify my understanding to strengthen my faith and practice.
- Regarding Late Grand Ayatullah Muhammad Hussain Najfi Dhaku:
In Pakistan, he presented himself as a Mujtahid (Islamic jurist qualified to interpret Sharia through independent reasoning). However, some of his teachings appeared to diverge from traditional Shi’a ideology. Does this mean he received new knowledge, or were our classical books and scholars incorrect? How should we reconcile such differences? He really was a mujtahid (Scholar)? - Differing Fatwas Among Mujtahideen:
Why do various Mujtahids issue conflicting rulings despite deriving knowledge from the same Ahlul Bayt (AS)? Instead of uniting the Ummah, these differences often cause confusion. Shouldn’t all Mujtahids align on core matters?
I hold immense respect for the scholars and their efforts, but my confusion persists: Whom should I follow, and how can I trust one interpretation over another?
Your guidance would be a great source of clarity for me and others grappling with these doubts. JazakAllah Khair for your time and patience.
With utmost respect and hope for your response,
Your Name
Sayyed Abbas
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
We pray this message finds you in the best of health and highest of Iman.
- We don’t know the scholar, so we can’t judge him.
-
Different fatwas come from different understandings of the scholars (mujtahideen). This is normal in every field of knowledge.
For example, if you are sick and visit three or four doctors, will they all give you the same advice or different advice?
Or, if you have a case in court and ask four different lawyers, will they all have the same opinion or different opinions?
Hopefully, with these two examples, you will know why mujtahideen can have different opinions.
Please login or Register to submit your answer