Peace be upon you. Is the testimony of experts in determining whether my hometown is my original homeland (according to custom) sufficient (such as the town's imam or the mayor)?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
The opinion of His Eminence the Leader regarding the original homeland has changed to the following:
The original homeland is established in three ways:
1- Being born in the birthplace of one or both parents and living there for at least six months.
2- Being born outside the birthplace of the parents and living there for five years.
3- Growing up outside the place of birth during childhood and adolescence.
Furthermore, the determination of the necessary time to establish the original homeland is referred to custom. For example, if a person spends the first ten years of their life in one place, it is considered their original homeland according to custom. However, if they only stay for one or two years, it does not qualify as their original homeland. The period between three to nine years is also subject to custom; if it is recognized as the original homeland by custom during that time, the ruling applies. If custom states that this period is insufficient, then the ruling of the original homeland does not apply. Thus, custom may accept five years or more, and it may also accept less, provided that the duration exceeds two years, which can be determined by asking the locals. Once the title of original homeland is established, unless one decides to abandon it with the intention of never returning to live there again, the ruling of the original homeland remains applicable.
Source: Special Inquiry + Educational Message - Prayer - Traveler's Prayer - Travel Interruptions - Original Homeland + Abandoning the Homeland + School of Jurisprudence
Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah protect him):
The original homeland is the place where the individual is primarily based (i.e., their residence), which is usually associated with their parents' residence and their birthplace. The consideration is based on the prevailing view, and the exceptions of a few differing opinions do not affect the matter. Relying on the testimony of trustworthy experts in this regard is permissible as long as it is not contradicted by the testimony of someone with equal trustworthiness and expertise.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, the first of the travel interruptions + M 928 + Official Website
May you be successful in all good.