Ayatollah Sayyed Hadi Al-Sistani, a prominent Shia cleric and the younger brother of Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Al-Sistani, has died in Iraq.
The death of the respected religious scholar has prompted widespread condolences within Shia communities worldwide. According to details received by The Chenab Times, Ayatollah Sayyed Hadi Al-Sistani passed away due to old age, as reported in announcements from January 16, 2026. Multiple sources, including posts on X from Shia-focused accounts and news aggregators, shared the news with expressions of grief, often accompanied by the Islamic phrase “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” (Indeed, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return) and calls for prayers and Al-Fatiha recitations.
Ayatollah Sayyed Hadi Al-Sistani was recognized in Shia scholarly circles for his religious knowledge and his close family connection to Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Al-Sistani, the leading Marja’ Taqlid based in Najaf, Iraq. Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani holds immense influence among Twelver Shia Muslims globally, providing guidance on religious, social, and ethical matters through his office and rulings. His brother’s passing represents a significant personal loss for the Sistani family during a period when the Najaf hawza continues to play a central role in Shia religious authority.
Initial reports described the cause as advanced age, with no further details on illness or other factors emerging from available announcements. The news spread rapidly through social media platforms, where users highlighted his contributions as a “light of knowledge” and extended sympathies to the family and the religious establishment in Najaf.
This event takes place against the backdrop of the enduring significance of the Najaf seminary in Iraq, where Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani upholds a traditional quietist approach to clerical involvement in political affairs. The Sistani lineage has long been associated with scholarly continuity in the region, supporting the stability of religious guidance amid Iraq’s complex history, including periods of regime repression and sectarian challenges.
Condolences have come from various Shia communities in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, and elsewhere, reflecting the broad respect for figures tied to the Najaf marja’iyyah. Such announcements often reinforce communal solidarity and the importance of established religious structures in Twelver Shia tradition.
No official statements on funeral arrangements or memorials were detailed in initial public reports as of January 17, 2026 morning.
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Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
