أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

We primarily answer questions related to Islamic Jurisprudence. Your question has implicit, explicit and few other dimensions intertwined in it. As a Muslim you are asking why, Shia mention the name of our master Amir al-Mu’minin, Imam al-Muttaqeen ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (عليه السلام). Is it in the Quran.

We will ask you to read books on Shia Muslim Principles of Faith ( Usual al-Din), Is Qur’an sufficient, The Hadith of al-Thaqalayn, the function of the Messenger, and Taqlid by non scholars in Islamic Acts.  However, will provide brief guidance.

Is Qur’an sufficient: If you read the verse and Tafsir of the Quran 3:7. The verse mentions ” the Scripture wherein are clear revelations – they are the substance of the Book – and others (which are) allegorical. In Quran 5:67 ” O Messenger! deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people”. What was to be delivered is not in the Verse, it was delivered by Muhammad al-Mustafa ( Peace be upon him and his pure progeny) at Ghadir Khumm. Salah is mentioned in the Qur’an. However we get details from Muhammad Al-Mustafa (Peace be upon him and his pure Progeny). (i.e, from the Hadith /Traditions).

Is Imamate / Wilaya mentioned in the Qur’an. You can read the verse and Tafisr of Muslims Scholars ( Shia and non Shia) on 2:124,  Verse of Wilaya ( 5:55 ), Verse of Ulul Amr ( 4:59 ). Verse of Al-Mubahalah 3:61  , 33:33 , 42:23 and 13:43.

Principles / Fundamental / Roots of Faith ( Usul al-Din). Ash hadu anna Amiral Muminina’Aliyyan Waliyyullah (i.e. I testify that the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (Peace be on him) is the vicegerent of Allah). Imamat / Waliya / The Divine Leadership is part of our Principles / Fundamental / Roots of Faith ( Usul al-Din). It is necessary for a Muslim to believe in the fundamentals of faith( Usul al-Din) on the basis of proof and he cannot follow anyone in this respect . (Taqlid is Haram ( Forbidden) in Usul al- Din).

Branches of Faith ( Furu al-Din). Regarding the Salah. It is part of Branches of Faith ( Furu al-Din). In Islamic Acts we have to be either a learned person in Islamic sciences, a person who can understand what needs to be done in Islamic acts, or follow a learned person or act with precaution ( ihtiyat ). What I have described is called Taqlid in Shia Islam. Taqlid is Only  allowed in Islamic acts (except in those matters which are considered by all to be Indisputable). A person who is Not a Learned Scholar /  Mujtahid should follow a Mujtahid or do Ihtiyat.  Mentioning the name of our master Amir al-Mu’minin, Imam al-Muttaqeen ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (عليه السلام). Ash hadu anna Amiral Muminina’Aliyyan Waliyyullah (i.e. I testify that the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (Peace be on him) is the vicegerent of Allah) is a matter of Ijtihad in Islamic Acts. Shia who is not a Scholar (not learned person in Islamic sciences) , follow their respective Learned Scholar / Jurist / Marji in their Ijtihad in Islamic Acts. However, it is mentioned in the Adhan. (Adhan it self is recommended (Mustahib) and we get the Adhan from the Hadith/ Tradition there are different methods to verify Hadith / Tradition, so you see a difference in Shia and Non Shia Adhan- This is an Issue of Ijtihad).

Ijtihad literally means striving and exerting. Technically as a term of jurisprudence it signifies the application by a jurist of all his faculties to the consideration of the authorities of law with a view to find out what in all probability is the law. In other words, Ijtihad means making deductions in matters of law in the cases to which no express text is applicable.

والله العالم‎
(and Allah(awj) Knows best)

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