Are mujtahideen narrators of sayings (hadith)?

Mujtahid (مجتهد) and Muhaddith (محدث) have two different meanings. The terms and concepts are different. A Mufti (مفتي)/Marja’ (مرجع) is one who issues Fatawa (فتاوى) based on his conclusions of his research. This research can be from the traditions, from the Qur’an or it can be from his rational reasoning/opinion. On the other hand, when I narrate a tradition, I open the book and read the tradition. The jurist expresses his thoughts and conclusions based on many methods. In fatwa, one does not usually quote anything, one merely expresses his thoughts. Narrators of sayings in the times of the Imams (a) explained, quoted and taught the sayings of the Imams (a) to the people around them. That was the only thing they focused on. Ijtihad on the other hand takes many years of study, where one studies books of the scholars and many other things that have nothing to do with traditions. Narrators of the sayings of the Imams (a) were praised by the Imams (a) and jurists have no right to claim this for themselves as the Imams (a) advised against ijtihad.

al-Sharif al-Murtadha says: ,,There is a clear difference between a mufti and a narrator of sayings. A mufti must be qualified. Moreover, the mufti does not quote anyone else, but expresses his own self.”

[al-Dhari’a ila Usul al-Shia, page 381]

as-Safi al-Golpaygani says: ,,There is a difference between a mujtahid and a narrator of the sayings of the Imams (a). The narrator learns the traditions and transmits them, whereas a mujtahid issues fatawa. If a narrator dies, his transmitted sayings do not become invalid and if a mujtahid dies, his fatawa are no longer followed and are therefore invalid. (Taqlid of a deceased is not allowed).”

[Bayan al-Usul, Volume 2, page 197]