Condolences on the Passing of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Musa Shobeiri Zanjani

From The Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America:

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

“Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we will return.”
(Holy Qur’an 2:156)

With profound sadness, the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America received the news of the passing of the great religious authority (Marja’), the sublime scholar, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Musa Shobeiri Zanjani (may Allah the Almighty be pleased with him) today, Sunday, 8 Rabi’ al-Akhir 1448, corresponding to September 20, 2026. On this sorrowful occasion, we extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to our Master, Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah Almighty hasten his reappearance), and to the seminaries of Qom and Najaf, especially to the Supreme Religious Authority (Marja’iyyah), as well as to his noble family, eminent students, followers (muqallideen), loved ones, and to all the believing men and women, especially in North America.

He has returned to his Lord after a century of life, one dedicated to the service of Islam, which included the dissemination of the sciences of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), cultivation of generations of scholars and virtuous students, and the fulfillment of his religious, academic, and social responsibilities while in the vicinity of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and Sayyida Ma’souma (peace be upon her). 

The late departed marja’ was one of the most prominent disciples of both Ayatollah Sayyid al-Burujirdi and Sayyid al-Khoei (may Allah have mercy on them), a major pillar of the blessed Islamic Seminary (Hawzah) in Najaf al-Ashraf and later in Qom, and one of the leading figures of jurisprudence (Fiqh) and independent juristic deduction (Ijtihad) in our era. He enriched the Islamic library with his foundational writings and rigorous academic research, especially in the field of ilm al-Rijal, and nurtured a vast multitude of Islamic students who drew from his knowledge, character, and blessed life path.

Ayatollah Zanjani (may Allah have mercy on him) was also renowned for his asceticism, humility, and piety, as well as his open-mindedness, excellent character, and steadfast adherence to principles. He stood as an exemplary model of the practicing scholar who seamlessly combined knowledge with piety, sagacity with the fear of Allah, and religious responsibility with service to the believers. He would constantly remind his students and all other students in Qom of the necessity of humility, showing compassion to the poor and the vulnerable, and the importance of leading a simple life, avoiding attachment to the world and its pleasures as much as possible. He was truly a teacher of ethics to his students, admirers, and disciples.

The passing of this monumental figure is a painful and tragic loss for the Islamic Seminary and the entire Islamic nation. With his departure, the Ummah loses a towering figure of knowledge and jurisprudence, a voice of wisdom and moderation, and a life journey rich with continuous devotion and academic striving.

We pray to Allah, the Most High, the Almighty, to shower the blessed departed with His vast mercy, raise him alongside Prophet Muhammad and his pure family, elevate his status in the highest echelons of Paradise, reward him with the best of rewards on behalf of Islam and Muslims, and grant everyone patience and solace in this difficult time.

The Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America

8 Rabi’ al-Akhir 1448 | September 20, 2026

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