Marjaʿiyya and Society

Abstract

The marājiʿ (sing. marjaʿ) are the most prominent jurists of Twelver Shīʿism. Though primarily located in Iran and Iraq, they have millions of followers across the globe. It is by way of these followers (muqallids) that the marājiʿ receive the financial support and spiritual capital necessary to achieve their status. It is also up to followers to choose to abide by the laws the marājiʿ write. As a result, a marjaʿ’s legitimacy is largely dependent upon his reception by and engagement with society. Linda Walbridge, Farhard Khosrokhavar, Amir Nikpey, Thomas Fibiger, and Elvire Corboz have all investigated how the marājiʿ are received by their communities. The current issue of the Journal of the Contemporary Study of Islam explores this phenomenon further.