In all parts of our life, we need the advice of people who are experts in that field. In the same way, in the matter of Islamic laws, we must obey the rulings of the experts of that law – this is called Taqlid.
Taqlid means obeying Islamic Laws according to the ruling of a Mujtahid.
Mujtahid is an expert in the ruling of Islamic Laws.
Muqallid is a person who does Taqlid, that is follows the orders of the Mujtahid.
Every Baligh male and female has to follow (WAJIB) the rules regarding Furoo-e-deen. E.g. how to perform Salaat, rules of fasting, how to perform Haj, etc
Upon becoming Baligh, you should make Niyyat (intention) that you will act or follow one Mujtahid and perform all you Wajibaat according to the rules he has set out.
We are at the present time doing Taqlid of: Ayatullah al-Uzama Syed Ali Seestani (of Najaf, Iraq)
GIRLS BECOME BALIGHA UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR NINTH LUNAR YEAR (ACCORDING TO THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR) AND AFTER THAT ALL WAJIBAAT BECOME APPLICABLE UPON THEM. BOYS BECOME BALIGH CLOSER TO THE COMPLETION OF THEIR FIFTEENTH LUNAR YEAR Masail No. 2260
Exercise: Brief Introduction to Taqlid:
Try and answer the following questions without looking at your notes:
1. Who is a Mujtahid?
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2. What does Taqlid mean and when does it become Wajib?
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3. What does Muqallid mean?
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4. Who do you do Taqlid of? Look for a photo of him and stick it in the space provided.
