The Grand Ayatullah Sayyid Ali al-Husaini Seestani

Sayyid Ali al-Husaini Seestani was born in Rabi-ul-Awwal 1349 A.H. (1930 A.D.). He started his studies in Mash'had, Iran, where he attended Dars-e-Kharij graduation classes.

In 1368 A.H. he moved to Qum for further studies under the late Grand Ayatullah Sayyid Husain al-Burujardi, that is when he was 19 years of age.

In 1371AH Sayyid Seestani moved to Najaf, Iraq. He attended study circles of prominent Ulema like Ayatullah Al-Hakim, Sheikh Husain Al-Hilli and Ayatullah Al Uzama Sayyid Abul Qasim El Khui. He regularly attended Sayyid Al-Khui's lectures on jurisprudence and fundamentals of jurisprudence for over 10 years. He ranked amongst the brightest, the most qualified and knowledgable of Ayatullah El-Khui's former students.

From 1381AH Sayyid Seestani embarked on research. Three years later he started giving lectures.

Sayyid Seestani was awarded a certificate by Ayatullah Al Uzama Sayyid Abul Qasim El Khui and another by Sheikh Husain Al-Hilli with regard to his attainment of the rank of Ijtihad when he was 31 years old.

Sayyid Seestani has written a number of books on jurisprudence, fundamentals, judiciary and transactions, 12 treatises on certain acts of worship and transactions, in addition to other manuscripts and manuals.

When Ayatullah Al Uzama Sayyid Abul Qasim El Khui passed away, Sayyid Seestani was among the six persons allowed to take part in the funeral and perform the ghusl service.

When Ayatullah al-Uzama Gulpaygani passed away in Jamad-ul-Aakher 1414 (December 1993), among the great Ulama who issued their support for Ayatullah al Uzama Sayyid Ali al-Husaini Seestani, were:

Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Behishti (Najaf)

Ayatullah Sheikh Murtaza Burujardi (Najaf)

Ayatullah Sayyid Radhi Shirazi (Teheran)

Ayatullah Sayyid Khiz Ali (Teheran)

Hujjatul Islam Sheikh Mahdi al-Asafi (Qum)

Ayatullah Sayyid Murtadha Askari (Syria)

Hujjatul Islam Sayyid Abdullah Ghuraifi (Syria)

Ayatullah Sayyid Mohammed Baqir El-Hakim (Teheran)

Hujjatul Islam Sayyid Ali Sayyid Nasir (Saudi Arabia)

May Allah Subhaana wa Ta'alaa protect all our Ulema and grant them long life with good health for the benefit of the Shia Umma and Islam. For those who wish to contact Sayyid Seestani, his address is as follows:

Ayatullah al Uzama Sayyid Ali al-Husaini Seestani,

Share' al Rasool, Najaf, Iraq. Tel: 36 44 87 / 37 22 48