Jurisprudential Study of Following Ahl al-sunnah at the Two Holy Sanctuaries (in Saudi Arabia)

In the issue of following Ahl al-sunnah (in the case of obligatory prayers), various different traditions from the Infallibles (s) exist. Although the idea of prohibition of following Ahl al-sunnah in primary conditions is deduced from traditions and the verdicts of Shia jurists, other traditions seem contradictory to it in special conditions, like in fear or compromise. Some traditions deem it permissible to make an appearance of following Ahl al-sunnah while some others dont. Based on these different traditions, the verdicts of the jurists have also come to vary. Jurists like Imam Khomeini (r.a) and other contemporaries have accepted the apparent meaning of these traditions, thus permitting following Ahl al-sunnah and have relegated the traditions that prohibit following them to be applicable only under primary or general conditions. However, many jurists do not accept this stance and deem traditions that apparently allow following Ahl al-sunnah to be based on the core of taking part in congregation prayers and have maintained repeating the prayer, or reciting the mandatory chapters of the Quran in the prayer to be a necessary condition while praying in congregation with them. On closely studying these traditions, it seems that the correctness of following Ahl al-sunnah is based on the premise that by being present in their congregation prayers leads to the fulfillment of greater goals like fostering unity and affection in one another and safeguarding the honour of the Shia.