An Explanation of the Process of Theorization in Islamic Governance

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 ‎. Assistant Professor, Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy, Qom, Iran. (Corresponding ‎Author)‎ erahimikh@gmail.com. ‎

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, University of Qom, Qom, Iran. ‎ k.ebrahimi@qom.ac.ir. ‎

10.22081/jislamicgo.2025.70986.1003

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to propose a framework for research and theorization in Islamic governance. This article, through a library-based review of existing research in the field of Islamic humanities and the authors' own innovations with a abductive approach, presents such a framework. The main novelty of this article is this framework, which consists of three fundamental steps: subject analysis, critique and evaluation, and ruling analysis. In the subject analysis phase, which determines the position of the studied topic, four general levels of subject classification in Islamic governance are identified: philosophical foundations, sociological foundations, governance principles, and the subfields of governance studies. In the critique and evaluation phase, direct discussions related to the topic are first sought within Islamic literature. If such discussions are not found, the subject is analyzed in relation to its sociological and philosophical foundations using methods such as thematic analysis or discourse analysis, and its propositions are structured accordingly. After identifying these foundations, parallel propositions in Islamic governance are formulated, either directly or indirectly, through the method of religious inference (ijtihad). Finally, these propositions are examined and critiqued in a comparative manner at the philosophical level, with reference to Islamic teachings. Following this critique and evaluation, four logical relationships between Islamic propositions and mainstream governance knowledge are identified: confirmation, completion, correction, and establishment. In the final phase, the results of the critique and evaluation are incorporated into the subject under study through implication research (dalālat-pazhuhi), leading to the formulation of new topics, rulings, or principles.

Keywords

References

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Islamic Governance Studies
Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
April 2025
Pages 342-379

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