Miscellaneous Issues of Taqlīd

Q 46: What is meant by the "blameworthy ignorant person "?
A: He is the person who realizes his ignorance and knows the possible methods by which he can overcome his ignorance, but deals carelessly with learning religious rulings.

Q 47: Who is the unblameworthy ignorant person?
A: He is the person who is not at all aware of his ignorance or he/she is aware of it, but there is no way out of it.

Q 48: What does obligatory caution mean?
A: It means that the obligation of performing or refraining from an action is a matter of caution.

Q 49: Does the phrase ‘there is a problem in it’, mentioned in some fatwās, mean prohibition?
A: It differs from one case to another. If the problem is in permissibility, it indicates prohibition on the practical level.

Q 50: Are the following statements fatwās or do they call for caution: (1) ‘there is a problem in it’; (2) ‘it is problematic’; (3) ‘it is not void of problem’; and (4) ‘there is no problem in it’?
A: All of these phrases call for caution, except for ‘there is no problem in it’ which is a fatwā.

Q 51: What is the difference between the terms ‘impermissible’ and ‘ḥarām’?
A: Practically, there is no difference between them.