Determining the Most Knowledgeable Religious Authority

Question

In Islamic jurisprudence, it is obligatory to follow the most knowledgeable authority in legal rulings. There are three methods to identify the most knowledgeable authority. The first method is personal assurance, which requires the individual to be knowledgeable about the scholars and to have studied in religious seminaries. The second method is the general consensus regarding the knowledge of a particular scholar, but currently, there is no consensus on a single authority. Some believe that Ayatollah Sistani is the most knowledgeable, while others believe it is Ayatollah Khamenei, and some support other scholars. The third method involves certificates of knowledge, but both Ayatollah Khamenei and Ayatollah Sistani possess such certificates.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you. We apologize for not entering into the determination of who is the most knowledgeable among the scholars, but you can identify the most knowledgeable through the methods we will outline. According to Ayatollah Sistani, if scholars differ in their rulings, one must refer to the most knowledgeable (the one who is more capable of deriving rulings and has a better understanding of the sources and their applications). If they are equal in knowledge or if it is unclear who is the most knowledgeable, then if one of them is more cautious in issuing rulings, it is necessary to refer to him. Otherwise, the individual is free to follow any of them without needing to exercise caution among their opinions unless there is a situation where he has a definite knowledge or evidence that necessitates caution. The most knowledgeable can be established through the following methods: personal knowledge or assurance gained from rational sources such as testing (for those capable of it), or through the testimony of just individuals from among the experts. Testimony from one trusted expert is also valid, provided it is not contradicted by similar testimony. In case of contradiction, one should rely on the testimony of the more experienced individual. According to Ayatollah Khamenei, it is necessary to follow the most knowledgeable as a precaution. The most knowledgeable is the one who is more capable than others in understanding and deriving legal rulings from their evidence. If two or more scholars are equal in knowledge or if it is unclear who is more knowledgeable, the individual may choose whom to follow, but if there is a possibility that one of them is more knowledgeable, it is necessary to follow him as a precaution. The knowledgeable scholar can be identified through two methods: knowledge or assurance, whether obtained through common consensus among people or personal testing (if the individual is knowledgeable and experienced) or any other means, and through the testimony of just individuals from among the experts, even if it does not provide assurance. May you be successful in all good deeds.