The ayatollah: A key figure in the Islamic regime

Ayatollahs are the second highest rank in the hierarchy of Twelver Shia Islam clerics. The word comes from Arabic and means ‘sign of God’. In the Iranian context, an ayatollah is a high-ranking Shia cleric, while the Supreme Leader is the highest political and religious authority in the country. The Supreme Leader is usually an ayatollah of great prestige and authority, but not all ayatollahs are Supreme Leaders. 

They are clerics who are experts in sharia or Islamic law who have earned the right to interpret it, teach it and promulgate their doctrinal opinions. It is important to know that for the Shiites, these great clerics are the representatives of the twelve prophets descended from Muhammad, which is why they have the power to interpret Islam and administer justice, with all the political responsibility that this entails.

Ayatollahs are key figures in countries like Iran and Iraq, where Shiism is predominant, and they have influence in politics and society. 

The ayatollah is the highest political and religious authority and the armed forces, state television, and the judiciary are under his control, as is foreign policy. That is why Iran is considered a theocratic regime, as its head of state is a religious leader. Currently, that position of Supreme Leader is held by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with an anti-Western stance similar to that of his predecessor and with the clear objective of eliminating Israel from the map.

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The ayatollah is a merely religious position, although it is sometimes believed to be a political position. However, since Iran is an Islamic republic, its supreme leader must always be an ayatollah.

How is it chosen?

According to the Iranian Constitution, the supreme leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts, an electoral body composed of 88 Shiite clerics who, in addition to having the responsibility of electing the supreme leader, have the obligation to supervise his decisions and, if they deem it necessary, dismiss the head of the Iranian State.

Functions

• Within his functions is to issue fatwas (religious decrees) that guide Shia believers in moral, legal, and social matters.
• He appoints heads of the army, the judicial system, and state media.
• He approves or vetoes election candidates (through the Guardian Council, which he himself partially designates).