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Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists

Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists is a concept in Shia Islam that involves the guardianship or leadership of a knowledgeable and qualified scholar, known as a jurist, over the religious and political affairs of the community.

Just like how your parents or guardians take care of you and make decisions for you, a qualified jurist is responsible for guiding and making decisions for the Shia community. This includes things like interpreting Islamic law (also known as Sharia), ensuring that the community stays true to its beliefs and values, and advising leaders on political matters.

The concept of guardianship of the Islamic jurists originated from the belief that the Prophet Muhammad appointed Imam Ali as his successor, and that his descendants (the Imams) also held this role. However, after the death of the twelfth Imam, Shia Muslims believe that the responsibility for leadership and guidance was passed on to qualified scholars who have the knowledge, piety, and leadership qualities to fulfill this role.

Overall, Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists is the idea of having a knowledgeable and qualified jurist act as a guardian and leader for the Shia community, ensuring that they stay true to their beliefs, values, and Islamic law.