Hawza

Ayatollah is a title for high-ranking Twelver Shia clergy. It came into widespread usage in the 20th century. Those who hold this title must be men and specialists in Islamic sciences such as jurisprudence (fiqh) and principles (usul), often teaching in seminaries. The next lower rank among these clergy is Hojjatoleslam.

Ijtihad ( ; '''' , ) is an Islamic legal term referring to independent reasoning by an expert in Islamic law, or the thorough exertion of a jurist's mental faculty in finding a solution to a legal question. It is contrasted with taqlid (imitation, conformity to legal precedent). According to classical Sunni theory, ijtihad requires expertise in the Arabic language, theology, revealed texts, and principles of jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh), and is not employed where authentic and authoritative texts (Qur'an and hadith) are considered unambiguous with regard to the question, or where there is an e

Marja (; plural marājiʿ; ) is a title given to the highest level of Twelver Shia religious cleric, with the authority given by a hawzah (a seminary where Shi'a Muslim scholars are educated) to make legal decisions within the confines of Islamic law for followers and clerics below him in rank. The highest ranking marjiʿ is known as the marja al-mutlaq or marja al-taqlid al-mutlaq. A marji' is usually also a grand ayatollah.

Shiite seminary in Iran

A hawza () or ḥawzah ʿilmīyah () is the collective term (plural hawzat) for a madrasa (i.e. seminary) where Shi'a Muslim scholars are educated.

Islamic seminary in Najaf, Iraq

Iraqi Shia cleric and scholar

Seghatoleslam (Persian: ثقت الاسلام ) also spelled Seqat-ol-Eslam, or Thiqat ul-Islam, is an honorific title within the Twelver Shia clergy. Historically, it denoted a scholar who had completed a certain level of religious education but had not yet attained the highest authority in the religious hierarchy, known as Ayatollah. In the recent past, it was typically conferred upon individuals who had completed Islamic seminary levels 1 and 2, obtaining a degree in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) and theology (Usul al-Din). The title also signifies a trustworthy person respected by Muslims, reflecting