Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Yakoobi, is a senior Iraqi Shia religious authority (Marja) known for his scholarly work, political involvement, and extensive social services. He is considered one of the successors to the movement of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq Al Sadr.

Early Life and Education.

He was born in 1960 in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, into a well known religious family. He began his religious studies in Najaf’s renowned Hawza (seminary) at a young age, studying under his father and other prominent scholars. His most significant teacher was Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammad Sadiq Al Sadr (the father of Muqtada Al Sadr). Yaqoobi became one of his closest and most distinguished students, acting as his representative and delivering Friday sermons on his behalf. This relationship profoundly shaped his religious and political outlook.

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Representative of Syed Al Sadr:

During the 1990 decade when Sadiq Al Sadr’s movement challenged Saddam Hussein’s Bathist regime, Yaqoobi played a key role in organizing and mobilizing the Shia population. Following the assassination of Syed Sadiq Al Sadr and two of his sons by the Iraqi regime in 1999, Sheikh Mohammad Yaqoobi was arrested and severely tortured. He was released after several months but remained under strict surveillance until the fall of the regime in 2003. After the fall of Saddam Hussein. Yaqoobi emerged as an independent religious and political figure.

Establishing Marja’iyya:

He has been granted the certificate of Ijtihad by Ayatullah Syed Sadiq Al Sadar, and he began to issue religious edicts (fatwas) and gradually built the institutions necessary for a Marja’, including offices for religious questions, legal affairs, and social services. He officially announced his Marja’iyya in 2005.

Political Involvement:

He founded the National Wisdom Movement (Hikma) party, which has been a participant in the Iraqi political process. His political stance is generally described as pragmatic seeking to bridge sectarian divides and maintain Iraqi sovereignty. He has been critical of both foreign interference and sectarian politics within Iraq.

Focus on Social Services:

Like other Marja’s, his office oversees a wide network of charitable activities, including financial support for students, orphans, and widows, as well as funding for healthcare and infrastructure projects.

Successor to Syed Sadiq Al Sadr’s School:

He is widely seen as a key intellectual and spiritual heir to his martyred teacher’s legacy, which emphasized social justice, political activism, and connection with the common people. He has authored numerous books on Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), principles of jurisprudence (Usul), theology, and Quranic exegesis, establishing his scholarly credentials.

Moderate Political Stance:

While politically active, he is often viewed as a more moderate and centrist figure compared to some other Shia leaders, advocating for dialogue and national unity.

Extensive Network:

He has representatives (wukala) in many countries with Shia populations, including Iran, the Gulf states, Europe, North America, India and Pakistan to manage the religious affairs of Shia community.