Question:

Who are our role models whose imitation (Taqlid) the messenger (s.) has ordered us?

Answer:

Ahmad Ibn Ali reported that the Prophet Muhammad (s.) said: “O people, Ali Ibn Abi Talib has my position among you. Therefore imitate (Taqlid) him in your religion and obey him in all your affairs, for with him is all that God taught me in knowledge and wisdom. Ask him and learn from him and from the guardians (a.) after him.” [Al-Fawa’id-ul-Madaniyyah of Al-Istarabadi, page 248 – 249]

عن محمد بن محمد عن أحمد بن علي عن النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم قال: أيها الناس علي بن أبي طالب فيكم بمنزلتي فقلدوه دينكم وأطيعوه في جميع أموركم، فإن عنده جميع ما علمني الله عزوجل من علمه وحكمه، فاسألوه وتعلموا منه ومن أوصيائه بعده