The meaning of Taqlid in the narration of Imam Al-Askari
Sheikh al-Ansari writes: “In the tradition of Imam al-Askari (a), the term ‘taqlid’ is mentioned, but there is no mention here of the acceptance of opinions.” [Al-Taqlid, Sheikh al-Ansari, page 41]
Sheikh al-Tahir writes: ,,The context of this tradition, which is used to prove taqlid, is not this taqlid that we know today. Therefore, the tradition used to prove taqlid is the one of Imam al-Askari (a) that is most convincing because it contains the term ‘taqlid’. However, if one reads through the complete tradition, it becomes obvious that the mention here is of the acceptance of traditions.” [Bidayat ul-Usul, Sheikh al-Tahir, Vol. 9, page 337]
Sheikh al-Ansari writes: (he mentions the entire tradition) “There is evidence that this tradition is authentic. This tradition implies the reliability of accepting traditions from trustworthy scholars.” [Faraid ul-Usul, Skeikh al-Ansari, Vol. 1, page 304-305]
,,The passage from the statement of the Imam (a) has nothing to do with the taqid we know today. If you read the tradition completely, you will realise that the meaning of taqlid here is different.” [Awthaq al-Wasail, vol. 2, page 176]
Muhammad Al-Hurr Al-Amili writes: “The permissible imitation (taqlid) mentioned here is the acceptance of tradition (riwayah) and not the acceptance of opinion (ra’y) and independent finding of law (ijtihad) and conjecture (zann) and this is clear and there is no disagreement about it. This does not contradict what has preceded and has been clearly brought to light regarding this and has been reported by us in traditions and has been stated in numerous places. Moreover, according to the fundamentalists (Usuliyyah), it is not permissible to rely on this tradition in either the principles (Usul) or the branches (Furu’), for it is a single disconnected report (Mursal) with a suspected chain of transmission and text, and is thus weak (Da’if) for them. Its contradiction with the multiple and continuous (Mutawatir) with secure chains of transmission makes it possible to interpret that it arose out of dissimulation.” [Wasa’il-ush-Shi’ah, vol. 27, page 132]
