Thread by @DrAbbasKadhim

Today is Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s 90th birthday.
He ascended to the position of “al-Marja’ al-A’la” after his teacher Grand Ayatollah Abol’Qasim al-Khoei passed away in 1992.
Sayid Sistani was born in Mashhad (#Iran). In 1952, he arrived in Najaf (#Iraq). (1)

In Najaf, Sayid Sistani studied for 10 years with two of the most prominent scholars in Najaf, Grand Ayatollah al-Khoei and Grand Ayatollah Husayn al-Hilli. Also attended teachings of G.A. Sayid Mohsin al-Hakim. (2)

In 1961, Sayid Sistani traveled back to his hometown in #Iran.
In that year he received 2 certifications of his “ijtihad” (ability to independently issue Islamic legal rulings). He also received a ertification in “hadīth” scholarship from its master, Agha Buzurg Tehrani. (3)

The recognition from top scholars of Najaf, encouraged Sayid Sistani to return to Najaf in 1962, to reside permanently & teach advanced classes in the “Hawza” (Seminary) of Najaf. (4)

In 1992, Sayid Khoei died, leaving a great scholarly vacuum and a seminary he barely preserved due to relentless onslaught of the Ba’thist authorities, particularly under the rule od Saddam Hussein. I outlined much of this in my study of the subject.👇 (5)

After a short interval following Sayid Khoei’s passing, Sayid Sistani was recognized as the leading Marja’ and the head of the Najaf Seminary, practically under house arrest. The struggle continued for the balance of Saddam Hissein’s era. (6)

The 2003 uS-led invasion of Iraq overthrew Saddam’s regime & effectively broke the decades-long siege on the Najaf Seminary. Sayid Sistani became the most influential person in #Iraq. I outlined his post-2003 political positions in this book chapter.👇 (7)

The most memorable moments of Sayid Sistani were his positions against violence. He issued a ruling against sectarian retaliation after the Samarra Shrine (north of Baghdad) was destroyed with explosives by anti-Shia religious extremists. He saved countless lives. (8)

He will also be remembered for supporting the establishment of a civil, constitutional, pluralist state in #Iraq, if Iraqis can establish & keep it. This is a highly significant political position, coming from an Ayatollah. (9)

When ISIS ran completely unfettered through three major Iraqi provinces in June 2014, Sayid Sistani’s ruling (fatwa) was the one act that made the difference and saved #Iraq from sinking in an abyss of religious extremism & sectarian genocide. (10)

Much was said about Sayid Sistani’s 2014 fatwa and its subsequent implications.
I co-authored an article (with Dr. Luay @AL_Khatteeb) on 10 June 2014 explaining its meaning, historical context, & significance.👇(11)
google.com/amp/s/m.huffpo…

#Iraq has benefited tremendously from Sayid Sistani’s presence & wise guidance.
As he advances in age & succession looms, all eyes will be looking at how his successor will act: continuity or change!
@barbaraslavin1 and I adress this question here:👇(12)
atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-resea…