Twelver Shia

An Iranian Shia cleric who was the second Supreme Leader of Iran, holding the office from 1989 until his death in 2026. He had earlier served as Tehran's Friday prayer leader and as the third president of Iran from 1981 to 1989.

Ja'far al-Sadiq (c. 699-765) taught in Medina for some thirty-four years. Descended from Ali and from Abu Bakr, he held to study over revolt, and the Twelver school of law carries his name.