Peace be upon you. Is it permissible to partially follow different religious authorities regarding the time of breaking the fast at sunset? I follow Imam Khamenei, but can I also refer to Ayatollah Sheikh Nasser Makarem Shirazi?
[AR_ID:4750]
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
It is permissible for a person to partially follow different religious authorities by taking some issues or topics from one authority and others from another. It is even recommended to do so if each of the authorities is more knowledgeable than the other in the specific issues or topics one wishes to follow. However, if one has followed a living authority on a particular issue, it is advisable not to switch to another authority of equal standing on that issue.
Yes, for those who follow the most knowledgeable jurist, it is obligatory to avoid switching from that jurist to another living jurist unless the second is more knowledgeable or potentially more knowledgeable.
Source: Special Inquiry + Answers to Inquiries, Q31.
Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah protect him):
It is permissible to partially follow different authorities, and it is necessary when one jurist is more knowledgeable in some areas while another is more knowledgeable in others, allowing one to follow each in their area of expertise. However, if one is more knowledgeable in all areas, then it is obligatory to follow them in all matters where their ruling differs from others. In cases where the jurists are equal in knowledge and neither is more cautious in issuing fatwas than the other, the individual may apply their actions according to the fatwas of either, even with partial following, provided they do not have a general knowledge of the obligation. Otherwise, they must exercise caution in their case, such as if one jurist rules that shortening prayers is obligatory while another rules that completing them is obligatory.
Source: Official Website.
May you be successful in all good.