The question seeks to identify who is the more knowledgeable reference between Sayyid Khamenei and Sayyid Sistani, without suggesting that there is a balance of knowledge between them.
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
We apologize for not being able to determine who is more knowledgeable than the other, but you can identify the more knowledgeable one through the methods we will outline.
Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):
If scholars differ in their fatwas, one must refer to the more knowledgeable (i.e., the one who is more capable of deriving rulings, having a better understanding of the sources and their applications, such that the likelihood of his fatwas being correct is greater than that of others).
If they are equal in knowledge or if it is not clear who is more knowledgeable among them, and if one of them is more cautious in issuing fatwas (i.e., more careful and prudent regarding the factors involved in issuing a fatwa), it is necessary to refer to him. Otherwise, the individual is free to follow the fatwa of any of them and is not required to exercise caution among their opinions unless there are issues where he has a definitive knowledge or a general proof that necessitates caution—such as if one of them issues a fatwa that a short prayer is obligatory while another states that a complete prayer is obligatory, in which case he knows that one of them is obligatory for him, or if one of them states that a transaction is valid while another states it is invalid, in which case he knows that he must refrain from acting on one of the two items—so he should observe the requirements of caution in such matters.
The methods to establish who is more knowledgeable include:
- Direct knowledge or certainty obtained from rational sources such as personal testing (for those who are capable of that).
- Testimony from two just individuals who are experts, and it is sufficient to establish this with the testimony of one trusted expert, provided that their testimony is not contradicted by similar testimony. In case of contradiction, one should rely on the testimony of the one who has more expertise to the extent that the likelihood of his testimony being correct is greater than that of the other.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - Taqlid - Articles 8 + 20
Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
It is necessary to follow the most knowledgeable as a precautionary obligation, and the most knowledgeable is the one who is more capable than the other scholars in understanding and deriving religious rulings from their evidence, such that his differences from others are clear to experts, as well as his understanding of the conditions of his time (to the extent that it is relevant to determining the subjects of religious rulings and providing legal opinions). If two or more scholars are equal in knowledge, or if it is not clear who is more knowledgeable, the individual is free to follow whomever he wishes, but if there is a possibility that one of them is more knowledgeable, it is necessary to follow him as a precautionary obligation.
The conditions for identifying the qualified jurist can be determined through two methods:
- Knowledge or certainty, whether obtained through common knowledge among people or through personal testing (if the person is knowledgeable and experienced) or through any other means.
- Testimony from just individuals who are experts, even if it does not lead to certainty.
Source: The Educational Message - Taqlid - Taqlid (2) + Taqlid (3)
May you be successful in all good.