How to Determine the Most Knowledgeable Scholar in Obligatory Precaution

Question

Peace be upon you. If my reference scholar issues a fatwa prohibiting a certain matter with obligatory precaution, differing from other scholars, can I refer to this fatwa only from another scholar while considering the most knowledgeable? My question is how can I determine the most knowledgeable among them?

Answer 1

Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you. You can determine the most knowledgeable scholar through the methods mentioned by the jurists. The following scholars have provided insights on establishing knowledge and scholarly authority: Sayyid Sistani, Sayyid Khamenei, Sayyid Hakim, and Sheikh Wahid Khorasani. They suggest the following methods: 1. Through knowledge and the certainty gained from rational sources such as testing and similar methods. 2. Through the testimony of two just individuals from among the experts. 3. Is the testimony of a trusted expert sufficient? - Sayyid Sistani: Yes, it is established by the testimony of someone trusted from among the experts, even if it is just one person. - Sayyid Khamenei: It is not established. - Sayyid Hakim: The testimony of a trusted expert is sufficient if it is based on testing or similar methods that are reliable, but not if it is based on guesswork. - Sheikh Wahid: It is not far-fetched to establish it through the testimony of a trusted individual if there is no contrary suspicion. Sources: - Sayyid Sistani: [Masa'il al-Salihīn, Part 1, Issue 20](http://www.sistani.org/arabic/book/23720/3600/) - Sayyid Khamenei: [Facilitated Jurisprudential Rulings, Issues 2, 7](https://islamq2a.com/masdar/98.jpg) - Sayyid Hakim: [Masa'il al-Salihīn, Part 1, Issue 6](https://www.alhakeem.com/upload_list/source/Library/pdf/book9-1.pdf) - Sheikh Wahid Khorasani: [Masa'il al-Salihīn, Part 1, Issue 20](http://wahidkhorasani.com/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%89/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%89/1283_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/3973_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AF)