Velayat-e Faqih and Shi‘a political thought and governance Islamic Political Thought (BSS474) Josef Kraus Výsledek obrázku pro khomeini The concept of Velayat-e Faqih nA guardianship of an Islamic Jurist nEmerged from Imamate, based on Quran ¡Allah is the Guardian of the believers. [Chapter 3, Verse 68] ¡Allah is the Guardian of those who believe. [Charter 2, Verse 257] nVelayat (rule, supremacy, sovereignty) derived from the word vali (friend, supporter, protector) n Výsledek obrázku pro rahbar The concept of Velayat-e Faqih nThe absolute authority and guardianship of Allah forms a central pillar of Imami political thought nImam delegates authority to those who possess specific qualities (fuqaha) ¡Common for all Shia theories ¡Differ in the role of ruling fuqaha nDelegated directly by Imam -> people need to obey (ayt. Montazeri) nVali has to be just and law expert, if people follow him, he is legitimate leader (ayt. Khomeini – entekhab theory) nOld idea, not invention of Khomeini ¡16th Century - Muhaqqiq al-Karaki – fuqaha should agree about one chosen faqih, who represents hidden imam on Earth ¡18th Century - Molla Ahmad Naraghi, Mohammad Hassan Najafi... n n The concept of Velayat-e Faqih nFaqih‘s duties ¡Political and religious orders and prayers ¡Legal punishment ¡Collection of Islamic taxes ¡Declaration of defensive jihad nIn 1970 promoted by ayt. Ruhollah Khomeini – lectures, book, basis of the current constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran nIslamic revolution 1979 brought the concept to reality nFully qualified faqih (mujtahid) is the deputy of hidden imam ¡it is obligatory to refer to him in judgement and accept his verdict n nThe clergy appoints the fully qualified jurist ¡but to put this appointment in practice depends upon the acceptance of the people nKhomeini: „The imam designated and appointed fuqaha to exercise functions of both government and judiciary„ - A clergy rule / governance n„In the absence of the Imams, the just jurists have been required to carry out these tasks.„ nThe vali al-faqih issues hukm (order) for all Muslims, not only as fatwa to those who follow marja-e taqlid n The concept of Velayat-e Faqih The concept of Velayat-e Faqih nThe command issued by a jurist as vali al-faqih in the administration of justice is obligatory for everyone! ¡Reference to Imam Sadeq (6th) – prohibition to obey tyrannical or illegitimate authority ¡„If such a person orders (judges) according to our ruling and the person concerned does not accept it, then he has shown contempt for the ruling of God and rejects us.“ ¡„And he who rejects us, actually rejects Allah and such a person is close to shirk“ - Ja'far al-Sadeq The concept of Velayat-e Faqih nDifference between Islamic republic and Islamic governance ¡IR - compatible with „religious democracy“ ¡IG - People don‘t understand, what is good for them (no participation) n nNot to confuse with velayat-e mutlaqa (government without limits - absolutism) ¡The leader is limited by sharia and the interest of people (constitution, political/moral/religious factors) ¡Faqih can in emergency situation (maslaha) declare hokm in opposition to obligatory laws (haram, wajib) of sharia. n-> Application of so called secondary rule ¡ The concept of Velayat-e Faqih nAyt. Khomeini: ¡The ruler can destroy a mosque or a house that sits in the route for a road, and pay the price to the owner. The ruler can shut down mosques in times of necessity. ¡ ¡The government can temporarily prevent the hajj pilgrimage – which is one of the most important divine practices – in situations where it deems it to be contrary to the interests of the Islamic country. ¡ Výsledek obrázku pro khomeini The concept of Velayat-e Faqih nBut (!) there has to be control over such decisions nIn the Iranian constitution a group of experts elected by people supervise and control the leader ¡Article 111 says: Whenever the leader becomes incapable of fulfilling his constitutional duties, or loses one of the qualifications, or it becomes known that he did not possess some of the qualifications initially, he will be dismissed. nSo…The constitution had placed responsibility for faqih nThe role of the people within the period of occultation increases ¡Duty to acknowledge their governor among the fuqaha directly or through a selected group of fuqaha n ¡ Iranian Political System Výsledek obrázku pro iranian constitution Unique Political System nNor presidential republic, nor parliamentarian republic nNo type of authoritarian regimes according to J. J. Linz nSpecific and unique system all over the world nHigh stability and rigidity – 40 years Výsledek obrázku pro iran majlis Basics of Political System nImportant role of the leader with high demands on his fairness, justice and morality – weakness and risk? nHigh connection between religion and politics – Shia based rationality and secondary rule nLimits of democracy in favour of morality and religious values Výsledek obrázku pro iran democracy Basics of Political System nAll the power comes directly or indirectly from the people, but… n…important role of informal interest groups or lobbies ¡Seminaries + foundations, ¡Universities, ¡Bazaar, ¡Revolutionary Guards, ¡official or unofficial political parties and movements etc. Political Party System nHigh dynamics of political party system nHigh fragmentation nLack of strong hierarchy, power structure and members‘ discipline typical for Western party systems -> fractions? nUnclear and difficult to characterize cleavages within Iranian politics n n The Cleavage Theory nStein Rokkan nMain cleavages (axis) for political parties in the West: ¡Centrum X Periphery (nationalism) ¡State X Church (secularism) ¡City X Countryside (urbanism) ¡Employers X Employees (economy) Main Cleavages in Iran Main Cleavages in Iran nDominant topic is religion nPossible axis: ¡Religion in society Secularism X Theocracy ¡Domestic policy Individual Freedom X Restrictions n Main Cleavages in Iran nOther axis: nThe International relations ¡Open to West and talks X Anti-West and protective nEconomy – the most difficult cleavage - subcleavages and axis? ¡Less state (market oriented) X State interventions ¡Open economy to abroad X Resistent economy ¡Any other? n Main Bodies of Ir. Pol. Sys. nThe Leader (rahbar) ¡Supervision over executive, legislative and judicial power (using other bodies for supervision) ¡Authority over foreign politics and security ¡Just and wise, good politician, mujtahid is enough (not marja) nPresident + cabinet ¡Executive power over domestic issues ¡Elected for four years term, two-round majority vote nParliament (Majlis) ¡Four years term, n270 elected individuals according to mandates number ¡Legislative power – law approval, international deal ratification… ¡Ministers approval ¡ n Hassan Rouhani.jpg Main Bodies of Ir. Pol. Sys. nAssembly of Experts ¡Elects the leader, supervises his activities ¡Elected for 8 years in two round voting ¡Mujtahid passing religious exam in Qom nGuardian Council ¡Selected (not-elected) ¡Revises laws according to sharia ¡All candidates revision nExpediency Council ¡Based on maslaha and secondary rule ¡Selected by the leader, four years term n Ahmad Jannati tsnm.jpg Ayatollah Movahhedi Kermani and Ebrahim Raeesi by Tasnimnews (cropped).jpg Political System of Islamic Republic Electorate President Cabinet Parliament Assem. of Experts Municipality Guardian Council Expediency Council > Head of Judiciary The Leader Thank you for your attention! n n ¡ ¡Time for Q&A Výsledek obrázku pro khomeini truth