Ruhollah Khomeini revealed the theory of the Guardianship of the Jurist as a solution to the dilemma of the absent infallible Imam by transferring sovereignty to the present jurist. This intellectual shift laid the foundation for a new phase in Shia political jurisprudence, where the jurist became the embodiment of complete political authority rather than merely an observer.
The roots of Shia political jurisprudence trace back to the period of the "Great Occultation" which began in 329 AH, following the death of the last ambassadors of the twelfth Imam. During this period, Shia Muslims faced a significant dilemma regarding the source of political legitimacy in the absence of the infallible Imam. In Shia belief, the Imamate is not merely a political position but a representation of the infallible aimed at establishing a global government. With the Imam's absence, a theoretical vacuum arose concerning the issue of authority.
Details of the Event
Over the centuries, a waiting jurisprudential formula was formed, where legitimate authority was considered deferred until the appearance of the Imam, and the role of the jurist was confined to managing religious and social affairs. However, the 19th century witnessed a crisis in the "waiting jurisprudence," as the Islamic world became part of the global imperial system, making political neutrality impossible.
Intellectual transformations emerged in the Shia seminary, starting from the Tobacco Movement in the late 19th century, leading up to the Iranian Constitutional Revolution in 1905. The most prominent theorist in this direction was Mirza Muhammad Hussein Naini, who established a Shia political jurisprudence that constrained political authority through popular oversight.
Context and Background
Historically, Iran in the first half of the 19th century witnessed scientific missions to Europe, leading to the emergence of reformist ideas. As competition intensified between the Russian and British empires, a series of economic and political concessions were imposed on the Qajar state, resulting in a loss of national sovereignty.
This policy peaked with the Tobacco Concession in 1890, which sparked a wave of popular protests, as Shia jurists realized their power and status in society, leading to a significant transformation in the relationship between jurists and the public.
Consequences and Impact
The conflict between the Pahlavi state and a broad faction within the religious seminary led to a new interpretation of the issue of authority by Khomeini. He reinterpreted the concept of juridical representation, leading to the formulation of the theory of absolute Guardianship of the Jurist. This theory was not limited to the exercise of authority but considered the jurist as a guardian and custodian of the nation, resulting in a radical shift in the relationship between religion and politics in Shia thought.
As regional tensions escalated, the theory of the Guardianship of the Jurist became increasingly significant, reflecting the current conflicts between Iran, the United States, and Israel against a backdrop of complex theological and political contexts.
Impact on the Arab Region
The repercussions of the theory of the Guardianship of the Jurist extend beyond Iran, affecting political balances in the Arab region. Current conflicts are not merely military disputes but relate to the legitimacy of political regimes in facing external challenges.
Ultimately, the central question remains: how is the Shia community managed in the absence of the infallible Imam? This question reflects the intellectual and political transformations witnessed in Shia thought and underscores the importance of examining the relationship between the jurist, the state, and the nation.