Hojatoleslam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hojatoleslam (from Arabic حجة الإسلام hujjat-ul-islām) is an honorific title meaning "authority on Islam" or "proof of Islam", given to all Shia clerics. It was originally applied only to leading mujtahids, but from about the start of the 19th century came to be used by all clerics following the creation of the title ayatollah for top Shia mujtahids.
The title Hojatoleslam wal-muslemin (authority on Islam and Muslims) is given to middle-ranking clerics.
[edit] Education
Hawza students start their studies learning fiqh, kalam, hadith, tafsir, philosophy and Arabic literature. After mastering these levels they are given the Hojatoleslam title, and can start becoming mujtahid by studying advanced textbooks known as sat'h, and research courses known as kharij.
[edit] List of notable Hojatoleslams
- Mohammad Khatami
- Mohammad Javad Bahonar
- Hassan Rowhani
- Hussein Khomeini
- Ali Younesi
- Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi
- Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejehei
- Abdollah Noori
- Mohammad Reyshahri
- Ali Fallahian
- Abdolvahed Mousavi-Lari
- Seyyed Mohammad Ali Abtahi
- Mehdi Karroubi
- Ali Akbar Nategh Nouri
- Ali Akbar Mohtashami-Pur
- Esmail Shooshtari
- Majead Ansari