Shia clerics and seminaries are proud of being financially independent in the sense that Shia clerical institution, throughout its entire proud history, has not been economically and financially dependent on any states or governmental funds. The seminaries ‘budget or fund comes from religious dues (Khums, endowments, charities etc.) paid by the faithful. Many charitable and devoted people from the past time as of today have endowed their properties (estate, orchards, agricultural lands, factories, shops and markets) to be used by religious students and seminaries in order to meet their needs. There are many examples of such properties in different cities of Iran and even in many Islamic countries that are endowed to religious seminaries to help meet their needs.

Those who are busy acquiring education or researching, preaching or doing managerial and administrative work receive monthly allowances through these resources. Additionally, many religious students who finish their studies in the seminaries get busy teaching in theological centers and in universities. They also work in notary offices or as judges in courts, thus they are not dependent on seminaries.

Some clerics are in a good financial position, so they do not need to receive monthly allowances or what is known as ‘shahriya’ in the Islamic seminaries. Even there are many clerics who not only do not get any allowances but they also help the seminaries with their own personal assets.

Today, there are many of religious students working with educational and military organizations, universities, governmental and private research institutes; they are busy teaching, researching, authoring and publishing books and articles, thus earning their livelihood through various scientific activities thanks to the victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran and the establishment of the Islamic Republic.