In
Shia Islam,
Marjaʿ (Plural:
marājiʿ), also known as a
marjaʿ taqlīdī or
marjaʿ dīnī , literally means "Source to Imitate/Follow" or "Religious Reference"., is the label provided to the highest level
Shia authority, a
Grand Ayatollah with the authority to make legal decisions within the confines of
Islamic law for followers and less-credentialed clerics. After the
Qur'an and the
Prophets and
Imams,
marājiʿ are the highest authority on religious laws in
Usuli Shia Islam.