What Does “Ayatollah” Mean?

A wave of recent military strikes in Iran by the U.S. and Israel have made global headlines, targeting nuclear sites as well as high-ranking military and political figures. Among those considered potential targets is Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

But what exactly does the title “Ayatollah” mean? Who earns it, and why is it so important?

Those unfamiliar with Shi’a Islam or who don’t closely follow geopolitics may have first encountered the term when watching the Simpsons years ago:

But let's put Matt Groening humor aside.

The title actually carries enormous religious and historical weight, and has an interesting history you may not know about. We'll break down the meaning of Ayatollah, how a person becomes one, and what significance the title holds. 

A Sign of God

The word Ayatollah comes from Arabic: “Āyat Allāh” translates to “Sign of God” or “Divine Sign.” It’s a term loaded with spiritual significance, not unlike how “Reverend” is derived from “reverendus” in Latin, meaning “one who must be respected.”

In the context of Shi’a Islam, Ayatollah is a recognition of someone’s advanced religious scholarship, moral authority, and ability to issue rulings on complex theological matters. While most commonly associated with Iran, the title is also used in other countries with sizable Shi’a populations, including Iraq and Lebanon.

What is the Difference Between Sunni and Shi'a?

Some important context: Islam is divided into two main branches, Sunni and Shi’a. While both share core beliefs – such as reverence for the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad – they differ over questions of leadership and authority.

Sunnis believe the community should select its leaders, while Shi’a Muslims hold that leadership rightly belongs to the Prophet’s family, specifically through his cousin and son-in-law Ali. This disagreement, rooted in early Islamic history, gave rise to distinct religious practices and clerical structures. The title Ayatollah, for example, is unique to Shi’a Islam. 

Related: What is the Difference Between Sunni and Shi'a Islam?

How Does Someone Become an Ayatollah?

In the Twelver branch of Shi’a Islam (the largest Shi’a sect), clerical ranks are well-defined. The progression typically looks like this:

1. Talabeh – a student at a seminary (hawza)

2. Hujjat al-Islam – a mid-level cleric, literally “proof of Islam”

3. Ayatollah – a senior scholar with proven authority to interpret Islamic law

4. Grand Ayatollah (Ayatollah al-Uzma) – the most senior clerics, who are followed by millions of Shi’a Muslims as marajiʿ (sources of emulation)

To become an Ayatollah, a scholar must demonstrate deep mastery of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), gain the respect of their peers, and be publicly recognized by the Shi’a community.

From Rare Title to Common Term

The term Ayatollah has roots stretching back to the early 20th century, though it wasn’t widely used at first. One of the earliest documented uses was in the 1920s and 30s to describe a small number of exceptionally learned Shi’a clerics in Iran and Iraq – those considered to be true authorities in Islamic jurisprudence. Even then, the title was not institutionalized; it emerged organically as a form of popular respect.

Its prominence grew in the mid-20th century, but wasn’t until the Revolution of 1979 that the term entered the global lexicon and became more widely adopted within Shi’a circles. What was once a rare honorific became a more standardized title.

Today, an Ayatollah could be compared to a Cardinal in the Catholic Church: someone with deep theological knowledge, high community esteem, and even (in some cases) direct political sway.

Like Cardinals, not all Ayatollahs wield the same kind of influence. Some remain focused on scholarship, while others take on more active leadership roles.

So, how did an Ayatollah come to hold unique state-backed authority in Iran?

The Revolutionary Ayatollah

In the late 70s, one person brought the term to newspaper headlines around the world: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Khomeini was a revolutionary cleric and Grand Ayatollah who led the 1979 uprising that overthrew Iran’s U.S.-backed monarchy. After years in exile, he returned to Iran, overthrew the Shah, and established a new form of government – the Islamic Republic – fusing Shi’a clerical authority with state power.

Khomeini's influence was seismic. He introduced the doctrine of Velāyat-e Faqīh (Guardianship of the Jurist), which gives ultimate authority to a senior Islamic jurist in governing a Shi’a state.

This principle still underpins Iran’s government structure today.

Is Ali Khamenei a Grand Ayatollah?

Khomeini’s chosen successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei serves as Supreme Leader of Iran today. But interestingly, he is not a Grand Ayatollah. 

Iran's constitution originally required the Supreme Leader to also be a Grand Ayatollah. This posed a problem to the regime, as Khamenei would not be qualified. Near the end of Khomeini's life, in 1989, he led a successful effort to rewrite the constitution – essentially changing the rules to allow his successor to take power despite his lack of religious credentials. 

As for who will succeed the current Ayatollah, now 86, experts speculate that his son is a potential candidate. Another name being discussed is Khomeini's grandson. However, it is the Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics, that has sole constitutional authority to confirm the next Supreme Leader.

How Many Ayatollahs are There In Iran?

After the revolution, the title became more widespread, both as a sign of reverence and political alignment. Today, any Shi'a cleric who passes the mujtahid exam can be called an Ayatollah.

While the exact number is not known, there are likely hundreds – perhaps thousands – of clerics who carry the title. Grand Ayatollahs are much rarer; the best estimates put their number at around 50 total. 

How Much Power Does an Ayatollah Have?

The amount of power an Ayatollah holds varies dramatically depending on the individual and their role. In most cases, an Ayatollah’s influence is spiritual and scholarly – they issue religious rulings (fatwas), teach at seminaries, and guide followers on ethical matters. 

However, in Iran, the title takes on a unique political dimension. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the country’s Supreme Leader, wielding ultimate authority over both the state and the military, even outranking the elected president. Backed by the constitution and a network of loyal clerics and security forces, Khamenei's position combines theological legitimacy with real political control.