God's Man in Iraq: The Life and Leadership of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani

by Sajad Jiyad

During decades of turmoil, war, and regime change in Iraq, one influential figure has loomed above all Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
As the revered senior Shia cleric in a Shia-majority country, Sistani commands the loyalty of millions of faithful. With quiet authority, Sistani has tried from behind the scenes to steer Iraq through a series of existential crises since the U.S. invasion and fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.
Century International fellow Sajad Jiyad draws on new sources and hundreds of interviews during decades of fieldwork inside Iraq to argue that Sistani has redefined the role of the Shia clergy and created a model of indirect influence that starkly differs from Iran's approach of direct clerical rule.
Contenders have already begun positioning themselves to succeed Sistani, and Jiyad assesses the players and the complex selection process for Najaf's leadership. Observers of Iraq and of Shia power will find God's Man in The Life and Leadership of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani an incomparable appraisal of Sistani's legacy-and an invaluable guide to the perilous transition that will follow his tenure.

154 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2023

Reviews

[Gabriel Lindén · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inte ett öga torrt när han håller påvens hand.

[Hussain · Rating 4 out of 5]

الكتاب صادر عن مؤسسة القرن وهي مؤسسة تابعة لوزارة الخارجيّة الأمريكية والمؤلف يعمل لديها وهو امر كافي للبعض للتشكيك في مصداقية الكتاب من جهتين
الأولى : امريكا دولة ظالمة للشعب العراقي والقران صريح في تحريم الركون إلى الذين ظلموا
الثاني : من يريد الاخرة لن يعطي المحتل اي ذريعة ليلمع بها سيرته ويبرر جرائمه التي ارتكبها نتيجة احتلاله للعراق، وبالتالي لا يوجد اي مقابلة مع السيد علي او احد المقربين له لأنه يرفض التعامل مع المحتل

لا تصلح السياسة دون تعجيل الثواب والعقاب وتجاوز حدود الله في الأموال والدماء
لذا يعصب على من تريد الآخرة ان يبحث عن مناصب الدنيا إلا إذا قامت الحجة عليه شرعيا
حياة مصغرة من حياة جده أمير المؤمنين ومعاناته مع اهل العراق
لا أصلحكم بفساد نفسي

معادلة الإسلام بسيطة
ان استطعت ان تتصدى لحكم الناس دون فساد نفسك ففعل

[Ritaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex, thought-provoking, and one of the few published works about His Eminence Sayed Ali al-Sistani. I really enjoyed reading this book; it gives you a broad insight into the unique style that Sistani has adopted in his political and cultural influence in Iraq. Truly eye-opening and interesting, this is a very nuanced and well-researched read that tackles several questions and topics about the system of marjj’ia and the power of Sistani. I highly recommend this incredible read if you wish to understand the immense influence Sistani has had on Iraq’s politics and Shia community throughout history until today. This feels like a complete and rich research that does not shy away from heavy topics or critique, giving the reader a colorful picture of Sistani’s 'political view' and Iraq’s political scene post-2003.

May Allah bless the talented author and everyone involved, and prolong the life of His Eminence Sayed Ali al-Sistani.

[Ilona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a focused overview of the life and activities of one of the most influential Shia clerics and his marja'. It was fascinating reading, as there are very few summary sources about Ayatollah Sistani's life and work.