Mohammad Ali Araki

Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Araki (, c.1890s - 24 November 1994) was an Iranian Twelver Shia Marja'. Once considered 'the world's most eminent Shiite Muslim cleric', Araki held the title of supreme guide and Marjaa Taqlid.

Araki taught many Iranian revolutionaries, including Ruhollah Khomeini. When he died, IRNA declared that "he was considered the greatest living Marja'".

Biography Mohammad Ali Araki was born in 1894 in Arak, Iran. He started his education from Arak Hawza. Grand Ayatollah Haeri allowed him to wear the turban and robe because qualified individuals were limited. Araki studied for many years in Yazd Hawza. After that he moved to Qom and continued his studying under supervision of Abdul-Karim Ha'eri Yazdi.

After Khomeini's death, Ayatollah Mohammad-Reza Golpaygani and later Araki were selected by Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom as Marjari.

Araki's first decree as Grand Ayatollah was to declare that his followers could continue to follow Khomenei's teachings.

Death Ayatollah Araki died on 24 November 1994. His precise age at death is disputed. This caused widespread controversy between supporters of the regime and those who considered Khamenei an unsuitable candidate.