The First Topic:
(Part 3)
Imitation in Terms of Idioms:
In the term of idioms, there are several definitions for imitation, which include:
Commitment to a religious ruling by a religious saying that is not in itself a proof and it is not required for a performer to be able to recognize the preference of the evidence. (Al-Minawi 1432, 248). This definition does not include two individuals: firstly, the knowledge of a judge which is based on the testimony of witnesses, also because it is the issue of a considered religion, and secondly, someone who follows the opinions of the mujtahids does not imitate, because the follower has the ability to recognize and prefer evidence.
Taqlid is acting upon the word of someone without proof, whose word is not included as one of the four Islamic resources (the Holy Quran, the Sunnah, the Islamic Top Scholars Consensus, and Analogy). (Bin Amir al-Hajj 1403, 3/340). This definition expresses that Taqlid means: acting upon the word of someone who is not accompanied by proof, and the imitator is not looking for proof and completely believes in the word of the mujtahid as proof. This definition is more considerable for those who believe taqlid to be forbidden.
Taqlid means accepting the word of the speaker without knowing where those words have come from and what reasons he has for. (Al-Salmi 1426 AH, 476)
There are many similarities in the above definitions; but the first definition seems to be more complete; because it refers to the religious word, the school of thought, the lack of proof of that word, and the inability of the obligated person to prefer among the evidence. This definition is more comprehensive and restrictive.
The Second Topic: Words Related to Taqlid
Itaba: To follow, someone else or to act upon someone else’s words. (Al-Firoozabadi 1415 AH, 911), (Ban Manzur 1414 AH, 8/27) In the terms of expression, it means to accept the opinion of a mujtahid despite knowing the evidence, according to its rules. (Al-Sanhaji 1980 AD, 47). Taqlid and Subordination both mean to follow, while taqlid has nothing to do with the evidence of a mujtahid’s ruling, but knowing the evidence of a mujtahid is essential in subordination. People are divided into three categories:
Firstly, mujtahids and prominent scholars who have the ability to deduce the rulings themselves.
Secondly, average scholars or knowledge seekers who do not have the ability to deduce rulings, but they have the ability to find the evidence of rulings from the opinions of mujtahids. This group is better off imitate based on knowledge rather than imitating downright.