ayatollah

An Ayatollah is a high-ranking title in Twelver Shia Islam applied to senior clerics who have completed extensive religious studies and are recognized for their knowledge of Islamic law (fiqh) and theology. The term derives from Arabic ayat (signs) and Allah, literally meaning "sign of God." In Iran and Iraq, the title is used within Shia seminaries to denote scholars who have attained authority beyond basic jurists. Below the rank of Ayatollah is Hujjat al-Islam; above it is Grand Ayatollah, or Ayatollah al-Udhma, the highest rank, typically held by a marja' taqlid, a source of emulation for followers.

Recognition as a Grand Ayatollah is not centralized in a single institution; rather it arises from scholarly stature, extensive teaching, and a large following that accepts the scholar's legal opinions as a basis for personal conduct. Grand Ayatollahs may issue fatwas, oversee religious education, lead major religious centers, and guide political or social movements in some contexts. Their authority is primarily religious and ethical, though in some countries it intersects with politics.

Historically, the title began to be widely used in the 19th and early 20th centuries within Shia centers in Najaf and Qom as seminaries expanded. In modern times, prominent Ayatollahs have played crucial roles in national and regional affairs, including figures such as Ayatollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who influence followers beyond national borders.