If your marja has died, don’t worry — follow these clear steps to keep your religious practice sound and find a living authority to ask.
The death of your marjaʿ (religious authority) is a question many people may face. In such circumstances, the first and most important thing to do is to choose a new marjaʿ.
Initially, imitation (taqlīd) of a deceased marjaʿ is not allowed; however, continuing to act on the rulings of a deceased marjaʿ is not problematic provided that those rulings were given by a living mujtahid and you had previously acted on them. A person who acted according to the rulings of a marjaʿ while that marjaʿ was alive may continue to follow that marjaʿ’s rulings in all matters after the marjaʿ’s death.
Religious rulings: Each marjaʿ may hold different views on certain rulings. Therefore, to be certain your actions are correct, you should specify which marjaʿ you follow.
Continuing to follow a deceased marjaʿ: Although in some cases it is permissible to remain following a deceased marjaʿ, it is better to consult a living marjaʿ for new matters.
Study and research: Gather information about living marājiʿ. Pay attention to their moral, scholarly and juristic qualifications.
Consult knowledgeable people: Speak with scholars, teachers of the hawza (seminary), or others familiar with the field.
Consider selection criteria: Important criteria for choosing a marjaʿ include:
ʿIlm (scholarship): The marjaʿ should be learned and knowledgeable in fiqh.
Justice: The marjaʿ should be righteous and morally upright.
Ijtihād: The marjaʿ should be a mujtahid — able to derive and issue fatwas.
Following multiple marājiʿ: It is not permissible to follow different marājiʿ for different issues.
Changing your marjaʿ: Changing your marjaʿ during your life is permitted.
Following a deceased marjaʿ for new issues: For new questions you have not previously acted on, it is preferable to consult a living marjaʿ.
