A question regarding the permissibility of switching religious authorities from Ayatollah Sistani to Ayatollah Khamenei, considering both are highly knowledgeable.
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah protect him):
It is not permissible to switch from one religious authority to another unless the second is more knowledgeable. If both are equal in knowledge, the individual has the option to follow either one, except in cases of certain knowledge of obligations. In such cases, it is obligatory to follow the more cautious approach. For example, if one authority rules that shortening prayers is obligatory while the other rules that completing them is obligatory, the individual knows they must follow one of them. Similarly, if one authority deems a transaction valid while the other deems it invalid, the individual knows they must refrain from acting on one of the two sides of the transaction.
Source: Official Website + Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Issue 8.
Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
It is more cautious to avoid switching from one living jurist to another unless the second is more knowledgeable or potentially more knowledgeable.
Source: Answers to Inquiries, Ijtihad, Switching from One Jurist to Another, Q31.
As for the evidence for this, it cannot be detailed here:
Firstly, because the application is not specifically designated for detailed evidence.
Secondly, detailing the evidence would be lengthy and requires specialists to understand it, as presenting and discussing the evidence is the responsibility of the jurist and the seminaries. If a jurist were to explain the evidence for every issue to the public, it would lead to unnecessary length without benefit, as they would not be able to comprehend it.
Regarding contacting experts, you may refer to Question 7402.
May you be successful in all good.