The ayatollah is a high ranking religious authority for the Shiite branch of Islam. He is highly revered and respected as the most learned man of the community. The word ayatollah means "man of God." His decisions are to be accepted as binding by his followers and the Shiite community. The person who carries the title of ayatollah is deemed to be a specialist in Islamic studies, philosophy, ethics and jurisprudence.
The rank of ayatollah is given by an agreement after he earns the admiration and esteem of his teachers and students alike for his behaviour and knowledge after completion of his Hawza-an academy of customary Islamic studies. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was the most popular ayatollah, who was actually instrumental in spreading the importance of the word ayatollah during the 1979 Iranian revolution.
The rank of ayatollah is given by an agreement after he earns the admiration and esteem of his teachers and students alike for his behaviour and knowledge after completion of his Hawza-an academy of customary Islamic studies. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was the most popular ayatollah, who was actually instrumental in spreading the importance of the word ayatollah during the 1979 Iranian revolution.