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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Iran
Index
From the time that Twelver Shia Islam emerged as a distinct
religious denomination in the early ninth century, its clergy, or
ulama, have played a prominent role in the development of its
scholarly and legal tradition; however, the development of a
distinct hierarchy among the Shia clergy dates back only to the
early nineteenth century. Since that time the highest religious
authority has been vested in the mujtahids, scholars who by
virtue of their erudition in the science of religion (the Quran,
the traditions of Muhammad and the imams, jurisprudence, and
theology) and their attested ability to decide points of religious
conduct, act as leaders of their community in matters concerning
the particulars of religious duties. Lay Shias and lesser members
of the clergy who lack such proficiency are expected to follow
mujtahids in all matters pertaining to religion, but each
believer is free to follow any mujtahid he chooses. Since
the mid-nineteenth century it has been common for several
mujtahids concurrently to attain prominence and to attract
large followings. During the twentieth century, such
mujtahids have been accorded the title of ayatollah.
Occasionally an ayatollah achieves almost universal authority among
Shias and is given the title of ayatollah ol ozma, or grand
ayatollah. Such authority was attained by as many as seven
mujtahids simultaneously, including Ayatollah Khomeini, in
the late 1970s.
To become a mujtahid, it is necessary to complete a
rigorous and lengthy course of religious studies in one of the
prestigious madrasehs of Qom or Mashhad in Iran or An Najaf
in Iraq and to receive an authorization from a qualified
mujtahid. Of equal importance is either the explicit or the
tacit recognition of a cleric as a mujtahid by laymen and
scholars in the Shia community. There is no set time for studying
a particular subject, but serious preparation to become a
mujtahid normally requires fifteen years to master the
religious subjects deemed essential. It is uncommon for any student
to attain the status of mujtahid before the age of thirty;
more commonly students are between forty and fifty years old when
they achieve this distinction.
Most seminary students do not complete the full curriculum of
studies to become mujtahids. Those who leave the
madrasehs after completing the primary level can serve as
prayer leaders, village mullahs, local shrine administrators, and
other religious functionaries. Those who leave after completing the
second level become preachers in town and city mosques. Students in
the third level of study are those preparing to become
mujtahids. The advanced students at this level are generally
accorded the title of hojjatoleslam when they have completed
all their studies.
The Shia clergy in Iran wear a white turban and an aba,
a loose, sleeveless brown cloak, open in front. A sayyid,
who is a clergyman descended from Muhammad, wears a black turban
and a black aba.
Data as of December 1987
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