Marja

A marja, or marja-e-taqleed (Arabic and persian مرجع تقليد), literally "source of imitation" or "source of tradition", is the second highest authority on religion and law in Shi'a Islam after the prophet and (Shi'a) Imams. Where a difference in opinion exists between the marjas, Aalims (Religious Scholars) try to provide different opinions.

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Four senior Grand Ayatollahs constitute the Hawza Ilmiyyah, a religious institution in Najaf and the preeminent seminary center for the training of Shia clergymen. There is a separate institution in Qom, Iran.

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Some faiths and sects related to Shi'a Islam also maintain the concept. See for example http://bahai-library.com/unpubl.articles/marja.taqlid.html .

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Shi'a Islam: Shi'a Islam ( or follower. English has traditionally used Shiite or Shi'ite) is the second largest Islamic denomination....

Imams: REDIRECT imam...

Aalim: REDIRECT Ulema...