ayatollah
High Islamic scholar
An ayatollah is a high-ranking Shiite Muslim cleric, particularly in Iran.
The title indicates significant religious authority and scholarly achievement in Islamic jurisprudence.
Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the term has become familiar in Western news, often associated with political as well as spiritual leadership: The ayatollah issued a ruling on the matter.
Sometimes used loosely to describe any stern religious authority figure.
Islamic religious leader
- imamMuslim religious guide
- clericOrdained religious leader
- seminarianPerson studying for priesthood
- turbanWrapped cloth headdress
robe · religious scholar · preacher · jurist · theologian · religious authority · clergy · pulpit
Highest political-religious authority
- spiritual guideTeacher of sacred matters
- religious authorityGoverning force in faith
- emulationCopying to rival
- followersPeople who support someone
rulings · decrees · fatwa · influence · leadership · hierarchy · rank · title
How authority is exercised
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- shariaMuslim canonical jurisprudence
- jurisprudencePhilosophy governing legal systems
- fatwaIslamic legal pronouncement
jurist · Supreme Leader · legislature · divine · mandate · sovereignty · religious law
mullah
Islamic religious leader
- imamMuslim religious guide
- clericOrdained religious leader
- seminarianPerson studying for priesthood
turban · robe · religious scholar · preacher · jurist · theologian · religious authority · clergy · pulpit · sermon
Supreme Leader
Highest political-religious authority
- spiritual guideTeacher of sacred matters
- religious authorityGoverning force in faith
- emulationCopying to rival
followers · rulings · decrees · fatwa · influence · leadership · hierarchy · rank · title · reverence
governance
How authority is exercised
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- shariaMuslim canonical jurisprudence
- jurisprudencePhilosophy governing legal systems
fatwa · jurist · Supreme Leader · legislature · divine · mandate · sovereignty · religious law
Khomeini
Imamate
State ruled by imam
ayatollahsecularist
Advocate for nonreligious governance
president · prime minister · shah · atheist · Atatürk