Ayatollah

The title is originally derived from the Arabic word post-modified with the word Allah, making (). The combination has been translated to English as 'Sign of God', It is a frequently used term in the Quran, but its usage in this context is presumably a particular reference to the verse "We shall show them Our signs on the horizons and in their own selves", Variants used are (), (, dual form) or (, plural form) and (). ==Qualifications==

Though no formal hierarchical structure exists among Shia clerics, a "hierarchy of difference" can be elaborated to describe the situation. Traditionally, the title Ayatollah was awarded by popular usage only to the very few highest ranking, raising the number of individuals who call themselves an Ayatollah dramatically. An unwritten rule of addressing for Shia clerics has been developed after the 1980s as a result of Iranian Revolution, At first the title that had been reserved for a Marja', was gradually applied to an established Mujtahid. Since the 2010s, sources under government control have tended to give him more distinguished titles like Grand Ayatollah and Imam. Certain clerics, such as Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari who had fallen out of favor with the rulers were downgraded by not being addressed as an Ayatollah. ==Usage==

Origins, early 20th century The earliest known address of this title is for Ibn Mutahhar Al-Hilli (died 1374), however it was not in use as a title for those qualifying until the 20th century. Hamid Algar maintains that this title entered general usage possibly because it was an "indirect result of the reform and strengthening of the religious institution in Qom". Stages of contemporary titles for Shia clerics in Iran == Grand Ayatollah ==

Only a few of the most important ayatollahs are accorded the rank of Grand Ayatollah (Ayatollah Uzma, "Great Sign of God"). When an ayatollah gains a significant following and they are recognized for religiously correct views, he is considered a ''Marja'-e-Taqlid, which in common parlance is "grand ayatollah". Usually as a prelude to such status, a mujtahid is asked to publish a juristic treatise in which he answers questions about the application of Islam to present-time daily affairs. Risalah is the word for treatise, and such a juristic work is called a risalah-yi'amaliyyah'' or "practical law treatise". A Grand Ayatollah is often seen as a spiritual guide and mentor to millions of Shia Muslims. His influence extends beyond the mosque and into the social and political arenas. Unlike many religious leaders of other religions, a grand ayatollah is often involved in state affairs, especially in countries with large Shia populations such as Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. == Use of the term as a pejorative ==

In the West, particularly the United States, the term "Ayatollah" may be used as a pejorative to describe religious fundamentalism. Sam Miller of London Review of Books states that following the Iranian Revolution, "ayatollah" became common use; Miller described the pejorative version of the term as "[evoking] an old, turbaned, bearded man, sitting in judgment, looking like a crow and ordering the execution of the impure". The term is generally used to describe any kind of fundamentalism, not just Islamism. For example, in the choice of title for the 1987 English translation of Raphael Mergui and Philippe Simonnot's book ''Israel's Ayatollahs: Meir Kahane and the Far Right in Israel'', or in the United States, where former jurist and lawyer Roy Moore has been called the "Ayatollah of Alabama" by his critics due to espousing Christian nationalism, opposition to secularism, and far-right politics. During the production of the film Heaven's Gate, the production crew referred to director Michael Cimino as an Ayatollah due to his demanding behavior. == See also ==