Ayatullah al Uzama
Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani

Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani was born in Rabi-ul-Awwal 1349AH (1930AD). He started his studies in Mash'had, Iran, where he attended Bah'thel Kharij graduation classes. In 1368AH he moved to Qum for further studies under the late Grand Ayatullah Seyyed Hussain al-Burujardi, that is when he was 19 years of age.

In 1371AH Seyyed Seestani moved to Najaf, Iraq. He attended study circles of prominent Ulema like Ayatullah Al-Hakim, Sheikh Hussain Al-Hilli and Ayatullah Al Uzama Syed Abul Qasim El Khui. He regularly attended Seyyed 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 Syed Seestani embarked on research. Three years later he started giving lectures.

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

Syed 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 Syed Abul Qasim El Khui passed away, Syed 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 Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani, were:

Ayatullah Syed Ali Behishti (Najaf)

Ayatullah Sheikh Murtaza Burujardi (Najaf)

Ayatullah Syed Radhi Shirazi (Teheran)

Ayatullah Syed Khiz Ali (Teheran)

Hujjatul Islam Sheikh Mehdi al-Asafi (Qum)

Ayatullah Syed Mohamed Husein Fadhlullah (Lebanon)

Ayatullah Syed Murtadha Askari (Syria)

Hujjatul Islam Syed Abdullah Ghuraifi (Syria)

Hujjatul Islam Syed Mohammad Baqir El-Hakim (Teheran)

Hujjatul Islam Syed Ali Syed 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 Syed Seestani, his address is as follows: