Morteza Ansari

Sheikh Mortaza Ansari (* 1799, † 1864) was a Shia cleric and from 1850, the first universally accepted supreme authority of the Shiites.

Its theoretical foundations led only to the institution of the absolute source of emulation ( Marja -e taqlid ), which had previously with the religious titles Marja, Mudjtahid or Hodjatoleslam not strictly structured hierarchy. Ansari was referring to the politics of the day no opinion, but was strictly quietist oriented. He was the author of some thirty books and treatises that have been written in a readable style and in stark contrast to the dry and choked language of the former authors. Ansari led the life of a true ascetic. Despite his enormous prestige as the undisputed Marja -e taqlid, its assets amounted at his death only three dinars and his two daughters were not able to pay his funeral.