Of late years an abundant shower of reputed Islamic titles is falling over the Indian subcontinent where several priests have begun to add them with their names without any solid background to qualify for these honorific designations.
Especially, the two of them that have been offensively consumed by shia clergy are Ayatullah and Hujjatul Islam and the author feels it necessary to share his thoughts about the subtle misuse of these prestigious holy subriquites.
Ayatullah means “Sign of Allah”. It is a high-ranking title given to Ithna Aasharee Twelver Shiah clerics. Those who carry the title are experts in Islamic Studies such as Islamic Jurisprudence, ethics, and philosophy.
The name “ayatollah” originates from a passage in the Quran which the Shia interpret to mean human beings can be regarded as ‘signs’ or ‘evidence’ of God. Passage 51:20–21 of the Quran states: On the earth are signs (Ayat) for those of assured Faith.
The Sunni Muslims do not give credence to this interpretation.
For the readers of this article, it might sound strange that there are a few women who are equal in ranking to the ayatollahs, and are known as Lady Mujtahideh. The most outstanding in recent history was Nosrat Amin, also known as Banu Isfahani. Current examples of the Lady Mujtahidehs are Zohreh Sefati and Lady Ayatollah Aatieh Hassani also known as Imam’ah Al-Hassani daughter of Grand Ayatollah Gholamreza Hassani.
Grand Ayatollah and Marja – Only a few of the most important ayatollahs are accorded the rank of Grand Ayatollah (Ayatollah Uzma, “Great Sign of God”). This usually happens when the followers of one of the ayatollahs refer to him in many situations and ask him to publish his Juristic book in which he answers the vast majority of daily Muslim affairs. The book is called “Resalah” which is usually a reinvention of the book Al-Urwatu l-Wuthqah, according to their knowledge of the most authentic Islamic sources and their application to current life.
It requires decades of serious learning and hardships to reach to the position of Ayatollah. There are seminaries in Iraq, Iran and Syria where the Shia Knowledge Seekers and students are taught, patronised and polished.
RITUALS, RHETORIC and dramatisations are the salient characteristics of the mighty rulers.
The ‘Ayatollahs’ employ none of them. They don’t visit world capitals; they welcome no salutations and no ‘guards of honour’ and sit on the ordinary tattered mat that you can find in the poorest house holds. However, when Ayatollah Khomeni gives a clarion call of rebellion, the crown and scepter of mighty Arya Meher Shanshah Raza Pehelvi go to dust. When Ayatollah Sheestani speaks from his hovel in Iraq, his every word is analysed with utmost care in the most powerful capitals of the world. What makes these Ayatollahs so powerful?
We can’t understand this enigma without an understanding of the theological principles of SHIA religion. According to Ithna Ashri (believers in 12 Imams) Shia belief, whoever dies without following an Imam (Religious Jurist) dies in ignorance. Living Imam is not visible and God has put him beyond the visual reach of ordinary human being. He guides through his ‘spiritual agents’ and ‘Ayatollahs’ are those revered agents or representatives. It requires decades of serious learning and hardships to reach to the position of Ayatollah. There are seminaries in Iraq, Iran and recently in Syria also where the Shia Knowledge Seekers and students are attracted, taught, patronised and polished to begin their upward journey towards religious perfection as guides. These seminaries are known as ‘Hawazat Ilmiyyah’ where Islamic Jurisprudence, Quranic Explications, Philosophy, Sufism, History, Mathematics and Islamic Sciences are taught. These seminaries are headed by Ayatollahs. No formal degrees, certificates or licenses are awarded to students. Emphasis is laid in developing the student’s research skills and mental capacities on increasing the cultural, juridical and philosophical information. An attitude in inculcated for scientific and political approach. These seminaries are located in Najaf, Samaraa, Baghdad and Karbala in Iraq, and in Qum and Mashad in Iran.
After few years of learning if the Ayatollah feels a student fit as beginner he is called the Molvi, Moulana or Mulla.
Maturing after the first rank, he goes the higher stage of learning and it is known as ‘Ijtihad’ and he become as ‘Mujtahid’. Next position is ‘Hujjat Al-Islam’. Then he climbs to the pedestal of ‘Hujjat Al-Islam wa Muslimeen’. As the learning proceeds he becomes an ‘Authoritative Source’ or ‘Ayatollah’. There after he is last authority of Shias – The Grand Ayatollah or ‘Ayatollah al Uzma’.
The financial support for these seminaries comes from every Shia household who can afford and from every country where he resides. It is the most powerful institution of Shia Jurisprudence. The nominated sources or ‘Nayabs’ of these Ayatollahs are present in every country where there is a reasonable population of Shias exists. They collect Zakah, the obligatory charity and ‘Khums’ which is a fifth of total saving of the year. They do distribute that money in their own country also for the welfare of their people. According to Shia doctrine ‘Khums’ is mentioned in Quran and allocated to Prophet during his life time and to his kith and kin after him.
According to Sunni Doctrine, the right of a fifth of saving was only related to spoils of war and lost effect by the Prophet’s death.
The money collected as KHUMS had always been the prominent source of strength of Shia Clergy. It makes Shia priest richer by degrees and independent of any ruler who could interfere in religious affairs. In all matters to religion the decree of Ayatollah al Uzma runs supreme. It is the base of the ‘Theory of Clerical Rule’ or ‘Guardianship of the Jurist’. This Guardianship implies that every public act of Islamic government require a pre-permission or approval of Ayatollah before being done. State derives its legitimacy from being under the ‘Supervision’ of Jurist Guardian – the Ayatollah al Uzma.
Note: It is not a judgmental article and should be considered for its informative value only.
