Is it permissible to practice partial imitation according to the opinion of Imam Khamenei?
[AR_ID:3035]
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Ayatollah Khamenei (may God protect him):
If the two jurists are equal in knowledge, the non-jurist is free to refer to either of them. It is also permissible to practice partial imitation between them in issues, meaning one can take some rulings from one jurist and some from the other. However, if one acts according to the fatwa of one of them in a particular matter, it is not permissible to switch to the other as long as he is equal to the first in knowledge.
Source: Fiqh of the Guardian: Rules of Imitation
Ayatollah Sistani (may God protect him):
Partial imitation is permissible and even required when one jurist is more knowledgeable in certain areas and the other is more knowledgeable in others; thus, one should imitate each in the area where he is more knowledgeable. However, if one is more knowledgeable in all areas, then it is obligatory to follow him in all matters that contradict the fatwa of others. In the case of jurists who are equal in knowledge and neither is more cautious in issuing fatwas than the other, the non-jurist may apply his actions to the fatwas of either, even with partial imitation, provided that he does not have a general knowledge of the obligation. Otherwise, he must exercise caution in that matter, such as if one jurist issues a fatwa of obligation to shorten prayers while the other issues a fatwa of obligation to complete them.
Source: Official Website.
May you be successful in all good.