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Iran
Religious Hierarchy
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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