The Shi'i Religious Authority (Al-Marjaʿiyyah Al-Dīnīyyah) - An Introduction to the System of Marja'iyyah - STEPS Series 2 Episode 6 - Misconceptions on Taqlid - A Summary
In this video, we present an overview of what we have been discussing in the last 5-part series on Ijtihad and Taqlid.
The Shi'i Religious Authority (Al-Marjaʿiyyah Al-Dīnīyyah) - An Introduction to the System of Marja'iyyah - STEPS Series 2 Episode 5 - The Consultative Ijtihad System
Do the Mujtahids function in a bubble, isolated from each other, or are they engaged in a “collective, consultative system” in which they work with one another AND with experts in other fields when they issue verdicts? Do they take into account the modern-day breakthroughs in science or are they looking at issues with 6th-century lenses on?
The Shi'i Religious Authority (Al-Marjaʿiyyah Al-Dīnīyyah) - An Introduction to the System of Marja'iyyah - STEPS Series 2 Episode 4 - Taqlid vs Common Sense
What is “common sense”? What happens when a religious ruling appears to contradict what we “feel” is right? What do we do? Hasn’t the common collective intellect of humanity sometimes been “wrong”? Does Allah expect us to “blindly” follow the verdict of a religious scholar, or would He rather than we follow our “gut instinct” and do what WE feel is right?
The Shi'i Religious Authority (Al-Marjaʿiyyah Al-Dīnīyyah) - An Introduction to the System of Marja'iyyah - STEPS Series 2 Episode 3 - The Relevance of Ijtihad
Living in an increasingly complex world, we look to the senior scholars to provide guidance on contemporary issues in the fields of bioethics, business and finance, social interaction and other areas, however they insist on conducting ijtihad on “past issues” like prayers, fasting, etc. What is the need to delve on the past – should we not look towards the future?
The Shi'i Religious Authority (Al-Marjaʿiyyah Al-Dīnīyyah) - An Introduction to the System of Marja'iyyah - STEPS Series 2 Episode 2 - Ahadith that Shape the Taqlid Mode
As the hadith are the secondary source of Islamic teachings, what does this body of text say about “following” others? Traditions seem to contradict each other in this area, so how do the senior scholars resolve this apparent inconsistency? Do we have examples in history of the Prophet or Imams encouraging their companions to guide others by issuing edicts?
The Shi'i Religious Authority (Al-Marjaʿiyyah Al-Dīnīyyah) - An Introduction to the System of Marja'iyyah - STEPS Series 2 Episode 1 - Taqlid – An Innate Human Practice
If religion and the journey to God is a purely personal experience, then why the need to refer to so-called ‘experts’ on matters of faith? Why do scholars insist on taqlid? Can’t we make the trek to God by way of our own intuition? Does the Quran tell us that we need to seek guidance from others in matters of religion?
The single most important topic of discussion amongst the Muslims today is that of religious scholarship and their role in the affairs of the individual, community, society and state. Did Allah intend for this religion to be in the hands of scholars or were we created to be free and journey to Him as we see fit? STEPS third series takes a much deeper and multilayered look at Marja'iyyah and how it fits within our contemporary era. New series to be released soon!
The Shi'i Religious Authority (Al-Marjaʿiyyah Al-Dīnīyyah) - An Introduction to the System of Marja'iyyah - STEPS Series 2 Episode 4
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.
The Shi'i Religious Authority (Al-Marjaʿiyyah Al-Dīnīyyah) - An Introduction to the System of Marja'iyyah - STEPS Series 2 Episode 3
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?
The Shi'i Religious Authority (Al-Marjaʿiyyah Al-Dīnīyyah) - An Introduction to the System of Marja'iyyah - STEPS Series 2 Episode 2
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”.
