Are the Ayatalla's Millionaires

[Z.M]

I was just browsing online, and I found this article, can anyone confirm or renounce this claim

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Inside Al-Hawza

May 28th, 2008

Something people need to know; Sistani and other Ayatollahs’ images of humble old men dedicated their lives to fulfill their “duty to God” and serve the Shiite community, is totally misleading. In reality they are multi-millionaires, Hawza-barons with turbans, make enormous amounts of money from [Al-Kumus and the supreme-cleric-share].

At this moment, Leaders of the Hawza are the following five senior Shiite authorities:

- Ayatollah Ali Sistani (Iranian).

- Ayatollah Mohammed Said Hakim (Arab-Iraq).

- Ayatollah Sheikh Bashir Najafi (Pakistani).

- Ayatollah Mohammad Ishaq Al Fayyadh (Afghan).

- Ayatollah Mohammad Al Yacoubi (Arab-Iraq).

The word “Al-Maraji’ Al-Udhma” = The High References, refers to the five “supreme-clerics” as one entity which is the Shiites spiritual leadership. Due to the post-occupation developments in Iraq they became religious and political references.

Something you need to know, despite the family-names and nationality differences, they are all related to each other in a series of complicated structure of marriages.

Although the “Arabic – Najafi” identity of the Hawza is confirmed as an Arabic religious institution, It seems there is kind of “nationalism” among Iraqi Shiites questioning the ethnic roots and the nationality of the supreme-cleric, for example; in the period between 1914-1919 when people started to argue about the supreme-cleric Ayatollah Yazdi’s [iranian] position from the British occupation, after he refused [or less willing] to support the Iraqi national confrontation against the British.

More evidence is the competition that lasted fifteen years between Ayatollah Mohsen Al Hakim (Iraqi) in Najaf and Ayatollah Hussein Al Broogardi (Iranian) in Qom. While Iraqis chose Al Hakim as the highest authority; the Iranians responded by choosing Al Broogardi as their supreme-cleric.

This is the first known split between the two Hawzas which also started an identity crisis [iraq offered an Iraqi nationality to Sistani but he refused]. Something we need to note here is that; while the Qom-Hawza started a movement to modernize the institution, the Najaf-Hawza kept it’s radical ideology, this is a very good example:

In his “modern” ideas, Ayatollah Fadhallah discuses some religious issues with Iraqi clerics:

- I discussed the matter with Iranian clerics in Qom, and [my ideas] are well received.

- You should consult Iraqis in these matters, Iraqis know history better.

This a list of all Supreme-clerics since the last century until today, to check the Iranian domination of the Najaf-Hawza:

- Ayatollah Mohammad Kazem Yazdi 1903-1919 (Iranian).

- Ayatollah Mirza Mohammed Taqi Al-Shirazi 1919-1920 (Iranian).

- Ayatollah Fathulla Isfahani Dec. 1920-Aug 1920 (Iranian).

- Ayatollah Sayed Abul-Hassan Isfahani 1920-1945 (Iranian).

- Ayatollah Mohsen Al Hakim (Iraqi) – Ayatollah Hussein Albroogardi (Iranian) [Hawza split] 1945-1960.

- Ayatollah Mohsen Al Hakim (Iraqi) 1960-1970.

- Ayatollah Al Khoei (Iranian) 1970-1992.

- Ayatollah Sayed Abdel A’ala Sabzevari (Iranian) 1992-1993.

- Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani (Iranian) 1994-until today.

http://www.roadstoiraq.com/2008/05/28/inside-al-hawza/

[Yasoob Al Deen]

<br />I was just browsing online, and I found this article, can anyone confirm or renounce this claim

Assalam alaykum wa rahmetu Allah wa barekahato.

Some people will say anything to attack Islam; the internet is extremely unreliable when it comes to valid critiscm of Islam.

On this issue, the main point of the article is to say that the Ayatollahs are rich. Khums is one-fifth of most (Shia) Muslim's income; as far as i know (i'm a new Shia), this goes to the Ayatollahs. So yes, in one sense, they are rich. But that doesn't mean that they are automatically bad. Since when did being rich make one bad? It is how you use the wealth that makes you bad. Islam doesn't condemn being rich, it condemns being stingy, and recommends being poor because of the corruptive influence of being rich.

The ayatollahs don't keep the money they gain for personal use. They use it to build hospitals, fund charities, build scholars, support hundreds or thousands of scholars (who don't have a source of income), and so on.

Please correct me if I'm wrong. Hope this helps.

Allahumma salle alah Muhammedin wa Aale Muhammed.

[shabbir.hassanally]

In His Name, the Most High

Salaams

It is also important to understand that whole the Khums is collected by the various Marja'e - it is NOT and NEVER BECOMES their property. It is held in and used as a Trust for the betterment of Islam and Muslims, as per the various and detailed rulings on the subject of Khums and other Islamic Duties. This is very very important.

Therefore; for the author of the pathetic and ill informed article to insinuate that the Maraj'e are "pocketing" the funds (naudhubillahi min dhaalik) is both totally inaccurate as well as being misinformed and leading to misinformation.

Let's try to understand this. If you have a question regarding the financial situation of the Maraj'e then you can write to them and I am quite sure they will explain to you the situation; but it should be noted, that in itself if a person is wealthy - naturally through permissible (halal) means; such as business and trade for example or through inheritance - then they are also duty bound to pay Khums - this is the same for the Maraj'e; and in itself there is no problem or issue with being wealthy. It is whether a person believes that wealth is the be all and end all as did Abu Lahab and his followers and ilk.

I hope that helps.

With Salaams and Dua's

Shabbir

[FatimaZahra]

(bismillah) (salam)

Im not sure if theyre rich or not, how they live doesnt seem like it though, 2 points i want to make

1. Rich is not bad, abdullah ibn jafar tayyar, the husband of bibi zainab (sa) was rich, but he had no problem at all giving to the poor.

2. Often it happens though that someone is rich, like bibi khadija (sa) but they give much money away in the name of islam, and then she became poor, to the point she couldnt buy a shroud for her body, so i THINK she used the shirt of prophet muhammad (pbuh), but im not sure, but doesnt mean if your rich that you dont give as much money as someone who is not or previously was rich, just means you earn more money.

(wasalam)

[abbas110]

When and If you go to Najaf, then you may go and visit Seyed Ali Sistani's house. Large majority of the Shias around the world will be living in a far better quality house, and living a higher life stayle than he does.

[Amir-Husayn]

Although I agree with the other posters that the money they have is not personally their like our wages are, but as has been discussed previously on shiachat, this just highlights the need for proper accounting and transparency from the various marja's. As long as there is no clarity as to where all the money is going issues like this will always pop up.

[Hassan22]

Asalamu Alaykum,

The topic of the khums money the marja's recieve has been around for a long time, we always hear of it, however we are yet to realise that whatever good we have due to our religion, as human's one of our flaws is that we always seem to place corruption accusations at the honest target, its due to human jealousy and the soul's evil that is within everyone.

Our marja's strive and dedicate their live's, to stabilising and giving the community a sense of structure and leadership and as such dedicate themselves to eradicate materialism and the like, we should advertise them as moral, decent and honorable human beeings, not bring the ugly face of corruption near their names, A perfect example is the Al-Mabarrat association, research this association and see the good it has done, not just to for the needy, but for the world and its muslim communities, this is where our khums & zakat go, we need to understand and advertise this aspect of it rather than saying, (wow its millions of dollars, and criticising where it al goes). a positive thought keeps the mind aloof from evil, and linking such thought's with people of such integrity is a sin.

[Nadir]

That money does not belong to them. It belongs to the Imam, and they have the duty to use that money for Islam. They do have permission to use an amount to survive themselves, but it's not like these guys are driving fancy cars and write up fatwas while they're relaxing in a jacuzzi. Also, this idea of an Iraq-Iranian divide of Maraja is nonsense. The Maraja respect each others' authority and positions, and they consult each other often. I myself am a student living on an allowance provided by these great scholars, and believe me, it's very little, and my receiving it is conditional on my going to class. I will tell you without any reservation that that if it was not my right, I would not take that money, because it belongs to Imam Mahdi, and God forbid I abuse the Imam's money. If an average Joe like me is aware of this, I guarantee the Maraja are as well.

So no, the Maraja are not millionaires. The millions they have in their possession does not belong to them, and they can only spend that money for a certain reason, not for fancy cars and big houses. If this article is implying that our Maraja are way too powerful and corrupt, then go to Najaf or come to Qum so you can see for yourself what type of lifestyle these great men lead. Come to Qum and see what these men wear in the winter. You will cry your eyes out.

[lion]

Yes, Become an ayatollah to collect khums, doesnt that sound like a psychologically impossible task to do?

whoever wrote the above article clearly is uneducated.

salam

[Hassan22]

Asalamu Aalaykum,

Brother i just noticed what you have said about the money belonging to imam mahdi, this is of no importance or truth, as our imam does not need money nor wordly matters to aid him, plus in the quran Allah S.W.T says that khums and zakat are for the poor and needy only.

That money does not belong to them. It belongs to the Imam, and they have the duty to use that money for Islam. They do have permission to use an amount to survive themselves, but it's not like these guys are driving fancy cars and write up fatwas while they're relaxing in a jacuzzi. Also, this idea of an Iraq-Iranian divide of Maraja is nonsense. The Maraja respect each others' authority and positions, and they consult each other often. I myself am a student living on an allowance provided by these great scholars, and believe me, it's very little, and my receiving it is conditional on my going to class. I will tell you without any reservation that that if it was not my right, I would not take that money, because it belongs to Imam Mahdi, and God forbid I abuse the Imam's money. If an average Joe like me is aware of this, I guarantee the Maraja are as well.

So no, the Maraja are not millionaires. The millions they have in their possession does not belong to them, and they can only spend that money for a certain reason, not for fancy cars and big houses. If this article is implying that our Maraja are way too powerful and corrupt, then go to Najaf or come to Qum so you can see for yourself what type of lifestyle these great men lead. Come to Qum and see what these men wear in the winter. You will cry your eyes out.

[husainshahid]

Assalam alaykum wa rahmetu Allah wa barekahato.

Some people will say anything to attack Islam; the internet is extremely unreliable when it comes to valid critiscm of Islam.

On this issue, the main point of the article is to say that the Ayatollahs are rich. Khums is one-fifth of most (Shia) Muslim's income; as far as i know (i'm a new Shia), this goes to the Ayatollahs. So yes, in one sense, they are rich. But that doesn't mean that they are automatically bad. Since when did being rich make one bad? It is how you use the wealth that makes you bad. Islam doesn't condemn being rich, it condemns being stingy, and recommends being poor because of the corruptive influence of being rich.

The ayatollahs don't keep the money they gain for personal use. They use it to build hospitals, fund charities, build scholars, support hundreds or thousands of scholars (who don't have a source of income), and so on.

Please correct me if I'm wrong. Hope this helps.

Allahumma salle alah Muhammedin wa Aale Muhammed.

As Salam Alaykum

2 key facts absent from the above.

1. Khums is Imam Mahdi 9atf)'s money.

2. The #1 spend - 50% of all khums is apportioned for the syeds.

Wa Salam

[husainshahid]

In His Name, the Most High

Salaams

It is also important to understand that whole the Khums is collected by the various Marja'e - it is NOT and NEVER BECOMES their property. It is held in and used as a Trust for the betterment of Islam and Muslims, as per the various and detailed rulings on the subject of Khums and other Islamic Duties. This is very very important.

Therefore; for the author of the pathetic and ill informed article to insinuate that the Maraj'e are "pocketing" the funds (naudhubillahi min dhaalik) is both totally inaccurate as well as being misinformed and leading to misinformation.

Let's try to understand this. If you have a question regarding the financial situation of the Maraj'e then you can write to them and I am quite sure they will explain to you the situation; but it should be noted, that in itself if a person is wealthy - naturally through permissible (halal) means; such as business and trade for example or through inheritance - then they are also duty bound to pay Khums - this is the same for the Maraj'e; and in itself there is no problem or issue with being wealthy. It is whether a person believes that wealth is the be all and end all as did Abu Lahab and his followers and ilk.

I hope that helps.

With Salaams and Dua's

Shabbir

As Salam Alaykum

I agree the article's sense is biased but the facts are not incorrect from what can be seen.

It's about how it's interpreted.

Ayatullahs have not been caught pocketing funds so to say the money is 'theirs' is wrong.

Like I said before it's the money of Imam mahdi (atf) which they claim to be trustees of.

On the other hand the world is the world. There's plenty of politics in the hoqzas as anyone whose been there can go and see, just like there's plenty of politics in this shia community.

And Allah (sawt) knows best.

Wa Salam

[husainshahid]

That money does not belong to them. It belongs to the Imam, and they have the duty to use that money for Islam. They do have permission to use an amount to survive themselves, but it's not like these guys are driving fancy cars and write up fatwas while they're relaxing in a jacuzzi. Also, this idea of an Iraq-Iranian divide of Maraja is nonsense. The Maraja respect each others' authority and positions, and they consult each other often. I myself am a student living on an allowance provided by these great scholars, and believe me, it's very little, and my receiving it is conditional on my going to class. I will tell you without any reservation that that if it was not my right, I would not take that money, because it belongs to Imam Mahdi, and God forbid I abuse the Imam's money. If an average Joe like me is aware of this, I guarantee the Maraja are as well.

So no, the Maraja are not millionaires. The millions they have in their possession does not belong to them, and they can only spend that money for a certain reason, not for fancy cars and big houses. If this article is implying that our Maraja are way too powerful and corrupt, then go to Najaf or come to Qum so you can see for yourself what type of lifestyle these great men lead. Come to Qum and see what these men wear in the winter. You will cry your eyes out.

As Salam alaykum

Hello brother. You've made some valid points. Your facts are a little bit black and white though... this issue is still shades of grey to me.

You see anyone visiting these lands will notice a marked Arab-Iranian (Arab-Ajam) divide does exist in these countries - and the academics of islam (scholars) are also influenced by it, even simply because it's just because they happen to live in these countries - however the sense of pride and racism is less and maybe nonexistent with the most pious scholars and there's a lot of inter-marriage in the mullah families which may be to cement powerful alliances so this also reduces racism.

Your post is spoiled also by getting a little bit emotional at the end (perhaps tinges of what some have started to call 'ayatollatry'). Surely and of course if a mullah is pious then good for them. But I doubt if I'll cry my eyes out for an ayatullah even if he be the most pious man in persia. Imam Mahdi (atf) weeps a lot. His tears are for Imam Husain (as) not mullahs.

You seem to be someone to ask a question as a recipient of this money - do the ayatullahs produce accounts showing their income and expenditure? If so please provide details on how these can be attained.

Wa salam

[husainshahid]

Yes, Become an ayatollah to collect khums, doesnt that sound like a psychologically impossible task to do?

whoever wrote the above article clearly is uneducated.

salam

Why? Are mullahs not attracted to money? Are they infallible? Money has many more uses than just buying ferraris.

If a man is from a mullah family, as almost all the ayatullahs are (ie there are 20 mullahs in his family) , then if the only option is to become a mullah who does not collect khums or one who does he may choose the latter as khums brings power. Big power. It also can keep the mullah's sons and grandsons in jobs for forever. On the death of an ayatullah, it is frequent for the khums stockpile to be given to the ayatullah's son (s) for safekeeping and distribution. Syed KhOmeini (ra) was an exception in this regard.

The mullah can also use it to prop up his favourite charities, his favourite quasi-religious political causes [religion and politics are linked in the mid east], AND of course his OWN institution. The biggest marjas have their own universities of which they are heads called howzas. More khums for the Marja [de facto Dean/Chanceller/Rector] means better facilities and better funds for the students and their accommodation etc. Above all it equals more students and more status thru more followers.

So the question really is do they do what they do (become ayatullahs) FOR this status and the trappings of power (including the influence money brings)?

That is something Allah (sawt) knows best.

Wa Salam

[husainshahid]

As salam alykum Brother Hassan22

Respectfully you are deeply mistaken in your knowledge of the basic taxes in islam and who they apply to. Yes, zakat is given to the poor and never to syeds . But khums is an altogether different matter. Produce the verse from the quran saying khums is only for the poor and needy.

Here is what the quran actually says together with the commentary from al Kafi:

The Quran 8:41

"And know ye (O believers) that whatever of a thing ye acquire (ÛóäöãúÊõã/ghanimtum) a fifth of it is for God, and for the Apostle and for the (Apostle's) near relatives and the orphans and the needy and the way farer "......English translation by Mir Ahmed Ali

The commentary of this verse is found in Al Kafi Hadith no. 1411 [chapter 130, hadith 2]

It says using a chain of narrators of: Al-Husayn b. Muhammad from Mu'alla b. Muhammad from al-Washsha from Aban from Muhammad b. Muslim from Abu Jafar, recipient of the supreme divine covenant, who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most High : "Abu Ja'far, recipient of supreme divine knowledge, has said:

"You must know that whatever property you may gain, one fifth belongs to Allah, the Messenger (of Allah), the Dhi al-Qurba' (relatives)" (Surah 8:41).

The Imam (as) said: "IT REFERS TO THE RELATIVES OF THE MESSENGER OF Allah. AL-KHUMS (ONE FIFTH) BELONGS TO Allah, THE MESSENGER (OF Allah) AND TO US (AHL-E-RASOOL).""

This authenticity of this hadith is not disputed by the shia ulema.

Is Imam mahdi (atf) not one of the Ahl-e-Rasool? Is he not the chief of the Syeds?

Of course he is, so the khums DOES belong to him.

If you read elsewhere in al kafi you will come to H 1410 [chapter 130, hadith 1].

There Imam Ali (as) says the khums is for ahl ul bayt and they have no share in being recipients of the sadaqa / zakat. So please do not confuse these taxes.

Wa Salam

Wa Salam

[Z.M]

Thanks for your insights everyone

I was completly unaware about the khums issue

which is why I wanted to discuss this.

[JimJam]

Thanks for your insights everyone

I was completly unaware about the khums issue

which is why I wanted to discuss this.

Post the link to the original article please, i wanna see which site that was from.

[PeaceLoving]

If someone has more knowledge on the subject refuting the article, why don't they go and post their refutations in that site.

There is a space at the bottom to respond.

Thank you

[Faris-Al-Hujjat]

Assalam alaikum wa rahmat Ullah

The term Ayatollah is so fascinating for the other sects of muslims that they wish they could have atleast one in them but unfortunately for them and fortunately for us shia's they dont have as i recall and we do Alhamdulillah have quite a few Ayatollah's in our truest of all sects in Islam...

so let them be jealous and envy us which will only infuriate their reach...

Wassalam Ala man Ittaba Al Huda

p.s. i have seen the bbogus website this material came from ........roadstoiraq.com .....pathetically horendous......sick and so yahudily done..

[Maula Dha Mallang]

actually, you guys have missed a key point raised by brother hussainshahid -

50% of khums is due to sayeds, so does that mean sayed marjas are entitled to a bite of that 50%? cos that must number the tens (if not hundreds) of millions per year in khums that they can take from themselves surely?

[baqar]

50% of khums is due to sayeds, so does that mean sayed marjas are entitled to a bite of that 50%? cos that must number the tens (if not hundreds) of millions per year in khums that they can take from themselves surely ?

50% Khums is not meant for Syeds but for needy Syeds.

While there may be a handful of exceptions, I believe the very vast majority of our Mujtahideen do not use Sahme Saadat, as the 50% for needy Syeds is known as, for their own use, unless they are in dire need.

As for the remaining 50%, known as Sahme Imam, again they cannot use it for themselves. My understanding is that the money is used for various projects that are intended to promote the interests of Islam.

By the way, the article in the link in the OP does not provide any evidence. It just makes disparaging statements without supportive evidence.

Produce the verse from the quran saying khums is only for the poor and needy.

The Quran is not a literal book where everything is given in black and white.

By all accounts, Sahme Saadaat is meant only for the needy members of the Ahlul Bayt.

In the time of our Imams, almost all the Ahlul Bayt were impoverished. That is not true any longer.