Question:

I have heard that the office of a recently deceased Marja’ has issued a fatwa saying that it is permissible for a new Muqallid to begin following that office, despite the fact that the Marja’ has passed away. Is the taqleed of the person who does this correct?

Answer:

When a Marja’ expires, his office also has expired for:

1. collecting any Khoms:  as the office was collecting for the Marja’ who was the Wakil of Imam Mahdi (a.j.f). so once the Wakil expires, so does the Wikala.

2. for the new followers: Because in order for them to refer to a deceased Marja’ they need the Fatwa of a most learned living one to refer them to the deceased one. Obviously the office of a deceased Marja’ does not meet the criteria.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei