The agent (wakeel) of a jurist must have written authorization (ijaza)

The following is the official legal opinion (fatwa) from his eminence, Sayyid al-Sistani, in response to a question on how the jurists’ agents are verified to be authorized.

In the Name of Allah, the most Merciful the most Beneficent

Thursday, March 31, 2011

To The Office of Grand Ayatullah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani (may Allah prolong his life), Holy city of Qum,  Iran.

As’Salam Alaykum,

Kindly, provide us with a detailed answer on the following questions:

Question 1: What conditions are placed on someone who identifies himself as a representative or authorized agent of a Jurist?

Answer: He must hold a written (documented and signed) authorization letter from the Jurist.

Question 2: What is the mechanism to verify the veracity (truthfulness) of a person who claims that he is an authorized agent of a Jurist?

Answer: To ask that he show his written (documented and signed) authorization letter.

…

6/2/1390 Shamsi

22 Jamadi 1, 1432 AH

Seal of Qum Office