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07 June 2026 / 21. Zil-Hajj 1447
STEPS - Series Two
STEPS
Shi‘i Theology, Ethics and Practice Series
Marja’iyyah, Episodes 1-4
VIDEOS | PODCASTS | ARTICLE (eBook)
Marja’iyyah: The Shi’i Religious Authority
Marja‘iyyah – the just, Shi‘i religious authority which the laity refer to when it comes to understanding one’s religious obligations towards Allah (swt) in the sphere of the acts of worship and beyond is a logical system which has its roots in the Holy Qur’an and the history of the Prophet (pbuh) and Imams of the Ahlul Bayt (as).
In this, the first of a multi-part series, we review the logic of this system; what is a marjaʿ; the Qur’anic verses which condemn and praise ‘following’ others; how to determine a Marjaʿ and what their daily activities are; the benefits of this system and answer the question of “What are the alternatives”? This series will lay the groundwork for future segments addressing the pertinent, specific issues faced by the community and the role that the Marjaʿ has in providing direct guidance in those areas.
Marja’iyyah is one of the most important concepts within Shia Islam. What is this institution all about? Why the need for it? What does the Qur'an say – in praise and condemnation – of following others in religious matters? How do you determine who a Marjaʿ Taqlīd is? What are the alternatives to this system?
This and many more questions will be answered in this new series as we lay the groundwork for future segments addressing more pertinent, specific issues faced by the community and the role that the Marjaʿ has in providing direct guidance in those areas.
Episode One: Why the Need for Marja’iyyah
Marja’iyyah, the Shi’i religious authority is a unique system which has been evolving since the initial concept of it was introduced in the Holy Qur’an.
Questions we will cover in this introductory video are:
- WHAT should our relationship with our Creator be?
- WHY the need for this system?
- HOW does He want us to worship Him?
- WHAT does Allah (swt) want from US?
Plus many other questions will be answered in this video.
Episode Two: The Qur'anic Verdict on Scholarship
What do we do when we can’t figure something out in life? We tend to go to the experts to seek their professional advice. In the sphere of Islamic teachings, what do we do if we find verses which condemn and encourage “blind following” of others? In this episode, we review the Qur’anic position on “Taqleed”.
Episode Three: Religious Scholarly Guidance in the History of Islam
As with all walks of life, professionals must be acknowledged and vetted by their peers before they can practice. What are the requisites for the scholar we want to follow? If we say that we do not need to follow a Mujtahid and that we can “work it out on our own”, then what are the alternatives?
Episode Four: The Marja'Taqlid: Aware, Active and Responsive
Our Maraji’ are individuals who play the role of a father to the shi’i community. Under their guidance and diligence, the school of Ahlulbayt (as) has averted many calamities. They selflessly work to benefit humanity at large and constantly provide order, unity and structure for their followers to enable them to live on the right path. In this episode, we highlight just a few examples of these.
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