Choose the Suitable and Perfect Scholar

    Hujjat al-Islam Khosro Shahi says: "I used to attend the kharij course in fiqh, Khiarat topic, taught by the late Grand Ayatollah Sheik Morteza Haeri, but his health deteriorated during the last days of his holy life; therefore, most of his classes were suspended because he could not continue them. One day I saw him getting out of the holy shrine of Lady Fatima Masumah, peace be upon her, so I went to him, greeted him then said, 'Are you going to continue the class?'

     He said, 'No.' Then he added saying, 'You are an ambitious young man, and I want to teach you this important criterion in choosing the suitable and perfect scholar.' He went on to say, 'I advise you to attend the classes of scholars who do not contend themselves with just relaying statements. Rather, you ought to attend classes of one who helps the student transform the ijtihad ability from the strength phase to the phase of action.' I said to him, 'Whose classes do you suggest I should attend.'

    He said with a smile: 'The class of Ayatollah Bahjat, as far as precision and context are concerned, meet this criterion. You must continue attending, for it is a useful class and constructive from the scholarly as well as the ethically standpoint.'"

   He said, 'Excuse me from having to answer this question.' I said to him, 'I am now attending the class of Grand Ayatollah Bahjat.' It is then that indications of pleasure appeared on his face, and he said with a smile: 'The class of Ayatollah Bahjat, as far as precision and context are concerned, meet this criterion. You must continue attending, for it is a useful class and constructive from the scholarly as well as the ethically standpoint.'"