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For other uses, see Wilayat-e Faqih.
Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists (Arabic: ولاية الفقيه, Persian: ولایت فقیه, Welayat-e Faqih) is a post-Age-of-Occultation theory in Shi'a Islam which holds that Islam gives a faqih (Islamic jurist) or fuqaha (jurists) custodianship or guardianship over those in need of it. Ulema supporting the theory disagree over how encompassing custodianship should be. One interpretation - limited Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists - holds that guardianship should be limited to non-litigious matters (al-omour al-hesbiah)[1] including religious endowments (Waqf)[2] judicial matters[3] and the property which no specific person is responsible for it. Another - "absolute (Arabic: مطلقة) guardianship of the Islamic Jurists" - maintains that Guardianship should include all issues for which Prophet of Islam and Shi'a Imam have responsibility, including governance of the country. The idea of guardianship as rule was advanced by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in a series of lectures in 1970 and now forms the basis of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The constitution of Iran calls for a faqih, or Vali-ye faqih (guardian jurist), to serve as the Supreme Leader of the government.[4][5] In the context of Iran, guardianship of the jurists is often referred to as "rule by the jurisprudent," or "rule of the Islamic jurist".
[edit] Theory of Welayat FaqihWilayat conveys several intricate meanings which are deeply tied to their history. Morphologically, it is derived from the Arabic wilaya the verbal noun of waliyan: to be near and to have power over something. Technically, wilayat means rule, supremacy or sovereignty. In another sense, wilayat means friendship, loyalty, or guardianship (see Wali).[6] The doctrinal basis of Welayat Faqih comes at least in part from the hadith where the Prophet Muhammad is reputed to have said "The ulama are the inheritors of the prophets" (Arabic: "العلماء ورثة الأنبياء").[7] Although the issue has mentioned by the earliest Shia Mujtahids such as Al-Shaykh Al-Mufid (948-1022) and enforced for a while by Muhaqqiq Karaki during Shah Tahmasp era (1524–1576)[citation needed], but according to John Esposito in the The Oxford Dictionary of Islam, Sheikh Morteza Ansari (~1781-1864), was the first Islamic scholar to advance the theory of Guardianship of the Jurist.[8] There is a wide spectrum of ideas about Wilayat-Faqih among Jafari scholars ranging from guardian-less activities (Arabic:الأمور الحسبية) in Islamic society, such as unattended children, to absolute authority (Arabic: الولاية المطلقة) in all public matters. Two types of Wilayah can be understood. The first type of Wilayah is mentioned in various chapters of Fiqh of Shia. It discusses Wilayah over the dead and Wilayah over others in need of guardianship, such as insane (سفيه), absentee (غائب), poor (فقير), etc. For example verse 33 of Sora 17[9] refers to authority of heir of oppressed slain. This type of Wilayah can not be applied to a society because none of mentioned characteristics apply to human society. The second type of Wilayah which appears in principles of faith and kalam discusses about Wilayah over sagacious and wise people. The verse 55 of Sora 5[10] implies the second type of Wilayah in Quran. The guardianship of jurisprudence can be understood from this second type of Wilayah only. Believing Wilayat-Faqih is not the matter of following a marja but should be understood by reason and needs intellectual reason. This will guide us toward the concept of Wilayah of Fiqh or guardianship of jurisprudence which is essence of Wilayah of Faqih [edit] Limited guardianship of the Islamic JuristsTraditionally Shi'a jurists have tended to this interpretation, leaving secular power for Shi'a kings called "Sultans." They should defend the territory against non-Shias. For example, according to Iranian scholar Ervand Abrahamian, in centuries of debate among Shi'a scholars, none have
Most scholars viewed the clergy's main responsibilities (i.e. their guardianship or velayat-e faqih) as being:
According to one of the leading Ayatullahs, Sayyid Ali Husaini al-Sistani, Velayat Faqih
Notwithstanding his indirect but decisive role in most major Iraqi political decisions, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani has often been identified with the quietist school of thought, which seeks to keep religion out of the political sphere until the return of the Imam of the Age.[12][13] [edit] Absolute guardianship of Islamic JuristsSupporters of absolute guardianship cite verse 62 of sura 24[14] and believe that collective affairs (امر جامع) are under Wilayah of Faqih at most. Those scholars who believe in the necessity of establishing an Islamic state say that within the boundary of public affairs the Wilayah must be absolute, otherwise the state can not govern the country.[citation needed] The idea of the absolute guardianship of the jurist gained influence with the success of Ayatollah Khomeini's leadership of the Iranian Revolution. Earlier, Khomeini had expanded on it in his book Hokumat-e Islami: Valiyat-e faqih (Islamic Government: Guardianship of the Jurist). He presented the concept as necessary to protect and preserve Islam during the Occultation of Imam. According to Khomeini, society should be governed by those who are the most knowledgeable about Islamic law (Shari'ah). Main article: Hokumat-e Islami : Velayat-e faqih (book by Khomeini) [edit] HistorySee also: History of political Islam in Iran "Limited Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist" has been known since Sheikh Mofid, When Ijtihad among Shi'a emerged in 10th century CE (4th century AH). On the basis of this jurists have judged and take Khoms. Absolute Velayat-e faqih was probably first introduced in the Fiqh of Jafari in the famous text book Javaher-ol-Kalaam (جواهر الکلام). Later, Ayatollah Molla Mohammad Mahdee Naraqi[15] of Iran published a paper advocating a modest level of political actions for Islamic leaders – limited velayat-e-faqih. By the time of Iranian Constitutional Revolution (انقلاب مشروطه), Ayatollah Sheikh Fazlollah Nouri customized this theory to match with Iranian Majles of National Council, which was removed when he was executed by those opoposed to his idea of Islamic government. Nevertheless, an extensive "guardianship" was given to clerics. (see: Iranian Constitution of 1906) Ayatullah Khomeini in 1970 gave a series of lectures that became a book Hokumat-e Islami: Valiyat-e faqih (Islamic Government) arguing that monarchy was unIslamic. In a true Islamic state those holding government posts should have knowledge of Sharia, and the country's ruler should be a faqih who "surpasses all others in knowledge" of Islamic law and justice[16] - known as a marja` - as well as having intelligence and administrative ability. This theory was put into action as part of Iran's Islamic Revolution. But generally before then, by the time of Ayatollah Naraqi it was first produced and introduced into Iran's royal law allowing Iranian ayatollahs to make sure that Islamic laws impacted the general laws of Iran.[citation needed] [edit] Welayat Faqih in practice[edit] Clerics in politics of IranIran has become the first nation-state in history to apply absolute Welayat Faqih in government. "Guardianship" of the faqih in the Islamic Republic of Iran is represented not only in the Supreme Leader, who must be a cleric, but in other leading bodies, particularly the Assembly of Experts whose members must be clerics, the Council of Guardians, half of whom must be clerics, and the courts. Friday prayer leaders are appointed by the Supreme Leader as well.[17] [edit] OppositionShia Muslims may follow, or emulate, one of several different marjas. in the personal matters. But they are required to follow the orders of Wali e Faqih in social matters or the matters that are concerned with the general well being of the Muslims and other marjas. are also required to follow this order. However some of the Ayatullahs who had difference of opinion registered their opposition in some of the matters. These include:
Other controversies that lead to a ayatollah being put under house arrest for their alleged role in anti Islamic Republic activities.
[edit] CriticismThe term "mullahcracy" is sometimes used by detractors to describe the Guardian Council, or the Islamic Republican system in general.[18][citation needed] The word is "mullah," a title given to some scholars of Islam,[19] suffixed with "-cracy," denoting a form a government.[20] The level of control of Islamic scholars has even been challenged by some Islamic scholars themselves like Grand Ayatollah Hossein Montazeri and Ayatollah Mohamed Hossein Kazemini Borujerdi.[citation needed] [edit] Response to criticism
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] Further reading
[edit] See also[edit] External links
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