Thread by @mhusain313

Since there has been a lot of debate surrounding the issue of the office of Ayatollah #Sistani allegedly giving 1 billion dollars to fight COVID-19 in #Iran, I have decided to make a long detailed thread explaining how the system of Marja’iyah works from a financial side.

Keep in mind I will not be questioning the authenticity of the donation, because as of right now, there is only one source claiming this, and thus can not be taken as gospel.

Nonetheless, the thread continues.

First of all, the Maraja’ (all of them) have always had representatives representing them and carrying out their duties across the world.

Thus you will see that Marja’ X has several representatives in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Representatives are given the right (by the Marja’) on an individual basis to collect religious taxes (Khums) & use a portion of that Khums to support the community in times of need.

There is also usually have an office in these countries to look after the communities affairs.

Eg. If the community needs a mosque, a [predetermined] portion of the Khums money collected by the representative or office in that location, will go into funding and building a mosque.

This is because Khums is split into two parts, Haq al-Imam, and Haq al-Sada.

Haq al-Sada is only allowed to be given to poor Sayeds (descendents of the Prophet) as they are not allowed to accept charity.

Haq al-Imam, which is a portion of the Khums that goes with the intention of delivering to the Imam of the time, can be reallocated to support the community especially if the community is in dire need of assistance.

This is because the Imam of the time is in occultation.

Thus, when a claim like Ayatollah Sistani’s office made a generous $1 billion donation to Iran, comes to light, it can be easily said that the Marja's office Iran, found it necessary to give back some of the Khums money (that they previously collected in Iran) to fight COVID.

Side point: During the 90’s Ayatollah Sistani stressed to his representatives that all money collected outside of Iraq, remains outside of Iraq & is to be reinvested in the local community. This is because the Ayatollah, did not want khums to be confiscated by Saddam's regime.

Now going back to the alleged donation: Ayatollah Sistani's representative in Iran, Sayed Jawad al-Shahrestani is very influential in Iran, and has set up many projects there.

Thus this should come as no surprise (if true) because he is using money collected from Iranians.

Furthermore, many have said that the Ayatollah’s Office should invest in other places because the money is needed elsewhere.

Over the years, the offices of Ayatollah Sistani, have carried out many projects that aid in bettering the local communities.

Just as a quick reminder, it was the Ayatollah’s office in Iraq that established al-Ayn, a social care foundation aimed at supporting orphans in Iraq. It was the Ayatollah’s office in Iraq that supported volunteers in their fight against ISIS when the government collapsed.

It was the Ayatollah’s office in Iraq that established water pumping stations & filtration stations in Basra in 2018, when the water crisis hit an all time high. It was the Ayatollah's office the built oxygen manufacturing factories and field hospitals across Iraq to fight COVID.

Also a final important reminder, Ayatollah Sistani is the most widely followed Marja’ in the world. Thus Shias from all around the world follow him. His work is not limited to Iraq and Iraqis. He is a Shi’a Marja’ who works to better the situation of the Shia worldwide...

contd. just like the Pope or the Shiekh of al-Azhar are not limited to the Vatican or Egypt respectively.

Final side note: Several of Ayatollah Sistani's offices around the world, have been working on making the financial aspect much more transparent by giving the believers receipts and following up by presenting how the money was used, and where it was invested.