📕 | The Grand Maraji of Qom and the changing generation of senior Shia scholars:

Despite their immense importance, many scholars, academics, researchers, and observers outside the Shia world have limited awareness of the institution of the Grand Maraji, their religious authority, and the significant role they continue to play within Twelver Shia Islam and the broader Islamic world.

A Marja’ al-Taqlid is a senior Twelver Shia jurist recognized by strict academic protocols as a source of religious emulation, particularly in matters of Islamic jurisprudence. The Marja’iyyah is one of the most important religious institutions within Twelver Shia Islam.

The two principal historic centers of Twelver Shia scholarship are the Hawzas of Najaf in Iraq and Qom in Iran. Qom is the primary theological and seminary center of Iran and has produced generations of senior jurists, theologians, philosophers, Quranic commentators, and religious scholars. Among the currently alive prominent senior Maraji associated with Qom are Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Hossein Vahid Khorasani, born in 1921 and approximately 105 years old; Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Hossein Noori Hamedani, born in 1925 and approximately 101; Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Naser Makarem Shirazi, born in 1927 and approximately 99; Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Ja’far Subhani, born in 1929 and approximately 97; and Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Abdollah Javadi Amoli, born in 1933 and approximately 93. Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mousa Shubairi Zanjani, born in 1928, was another of the most prominent Maraji of Qom until his passing in September 2026 at the age of 98.

The Qom Hawza has experienced a significant generational transition over the past several years. A number of prominent senior scholars and Maraji have passed away in the past few years, including Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammad Ali Alavi Gorgani in 2022 at the age of 83, Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani in 2022 at the age of 103, Grand Ayatollah Abbas Mahfouzi in 2024, and Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mousa Shubairi Zanjani in 2026 at the age of 98. The passing of these scholars represents the gradual disappearance of an older generation of Maraji who had decades of direct experience with the major transformations of modern Iranian and Shia history.

Usually, due to their advanced ages, some of the senior Maraji have not remained fully active in the public domain in recent years. However, following the sudden martyrdom of Imam Ali Khamenei, three of the oldest senior Maraji, Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli, and Ayatollah Hossein Noori Hamedani, played an important and unexpected role. Despite their advanced ages and concerns over assassination threats, they remained active in their offices, provided guidance, and helped maintain continuity during an extremely sensitive period.

Their continued presence was unexpected by the enemies, who may have assumed that the advanced age of these scholars would limit their ability to respond publicly. Instead, their statements and presence helped provide religious and institutional guidance during the proceedings surrounding the Assembly of Experts and the selection of Imam Mujtaba Khamenei. Their role also contributed to safeguarding the process from greater confusion, delays, and external pressure at a moment when the country was facing an extraordinary political and security crisis.

The presence of these senior Maraji demonstrated that, despite their age, the highest levels of Iran’s religious establishment could still play a significant role when the country faced an unprecedented challenge. Their contribution during this period should therefore be understood not merely through their formal positions, but also through their religious authority, public presence, guidance, and ability to provide continuity at a critical moment.

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