Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: No Ijtihad Required for Friday Prayer Leadership

Another scholarly session led by Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadeq Hosseini Shirazi was held on Monday, 9 Jumadi al-Awal. During this session, as in previous meetings, the Supreme Marja answered participants’ questions regarding various jurisprudential issues.

Regarding the ruling on establishing Friday prayers during the Occultation, Grand Ayatollah Shirazi stated: “If the conditions for holding Friday prayers are met, and the imam is just, and there is sufficient attendance at the Friday prayer, and the sermon is delivered, then according to my view, in agreement with or following the majority of jurists, Friday prayers are an obligatory alternative and suffice for the noon prayer.”

He further emphasized that no ijtihad (jurisprudential mastery) is necessary for leading Friday prayers, and the position of Friday prayer leadership does not require permission from a jurist; it is sufficient for the Imam to be just.