Who is Sistanis teacher?
Born to a prominent religious family, Sistani studied the Qurʾān from a young age. In his early 20s he left Iran to continue his studies in Iraq, becoming a disciple of Grand Ayatollah Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei in Al-Najaf.
Who is the leader of Sunni Islam?
Among Sunnis, the chief leader of the community became known as a caliph (khalīfah), who succeeded Muhammad in his administrative and political, but not religious, functions.
Who is the current Shiite imam?
Muhammad al-Mahdi
The twelfth and final Imam is Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is believed by the Twelvers to be currently alive, and hidden in the Major Occultation until he returns to bring justice to the world. It is believed by Twelver and Alevi Muslims that the Twelve Imams have been foretold in the Hadith of the Twelve Successors.
What is Agha Sistani expertise?
In Al-Najaf, Sistani was devoted to ensuring power for a Shiʿi majority in his adopted country, which had been led by a Sunni minority for centuries. Although he served as the spiritual leader of Iraq’s Shiʿi community, Sistani also commanded the respect of Sunni Arabs and Kurds.
Who is Grand Ayatollah Sistani?
Since the overthrow of the Baath Party, Sistani has played an increasingly prominent role in regional religious and political affairs and he has been called the “most influential” figure in post-invasion Iraq.
Was al-Shahrastani a Shia or Sunni?
Though al-Shahrastani is generally regarded as a Sunni – Ash’ari theologian, he had been accused by his contemporaries, al-Khwarazmi and al-Sam’ani, of being drawn to the “people of the mountain fortresses”, i.e. the Nizari Isma’ilis of Alamut (See: Hassan-i Sabbah and the Hashshashin).
Why did Sistani move Iraq to Shia Islam?
Observers described the move as being a path leading directly to Shia political dominance over Iraq’s government, as Shia Muslims make up approximately 65% of the total Iraqi population. Subsequently, Sistani criticized plans for an Iraqi government for not being democratic enough.
When did Sistani become mujtahid?
Later in 1951, Sistani traveled to Iraq to study in Najaf under Grand Ayatollah Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei. Sistani rose to the rank of mujtahid in 1960, at the age of thirty-one.