Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of History and Political Studies, Baqir al-Olum University, Qom, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic and Western Political Thought, Research Institute of Political and Security Studies, Imam Sadiq Islamic Sciences Research Institute, Qom, Iran.
Abstract
The current research engages in examining and elucidating the model of "wilāyī governance" in the thought of the martyred leader Imam Khamenei, with an emphasis on the book "An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran". In this perspective, the Noble Quran is not merely a book for individual or moral guidance; rather, it is introduced as a "code of governance" and a strategic document for the administration of society. From this standpoint, the Quran can serve as the foundation for the formation of a coherent theory in the domain of Islamic governance. In the prevalent literature on governance in the contemporary world, models such as hierarchical, market, or network governance are often spoken of, which are predominantly founded upon secular foundations. In contrast, Islamic thought endeavors to present a model wherein the guidance of society takes place based upon tawḥīdī (monotheistic) foundations and religious values. The main problem of the research is whether it is possible, based on the book "An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran", to extract a coherent theory regarding governance in the thought of Ayatollah Khamenei and to formulate its components within the framework of the "wilāyī governance" model. This problem is of significance in that it can aid in clarifying the theoretical foundations of Islamic governance and its distinction from conventional models of governance. The main objective of the research is to infer and elucidate the theory of Quranic governance in his thought, with a focus on the book "An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran", and to reconstruct it within the framework of the "wilāyī governance" model. Within this framework, the research endeavors to demonstrate how the Quran as the "Book" (kitāb) and wilāyah (guardianship) as the "Balance" (mīzān) constitute the two fundamental pillars of this model of governance. Furthermore, this research seeks to identify and elucidate the various elements of this theory, including the objectives, actors, values, style, and functions of wilāyī governance. Among the other objectives of the research is clarifying the realm of this type of governance, ranging from the level of individual upbringing to the formation of the Islamic government, and ultimately the realization of the global Islamic civilization. Thus, the article attempts to present a systematic portrayal of the wilāyī governance model in the thought of Ayatollah Khamenei. The main question of the research is what foundations and components the theory of governance possesses in the thought of Ayatollah Khamenei based on the book "An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran", and how it can be formulated within the framework of the "wilāyī governance" model. Alongside this main question, subsidiary questions are also posed; including, what is the position of the Quran and wilāyah in the structure of this theory of governance? What are the objectives and values governing it? Who are its main actors? And how do the style and functions of this governance differ from the prevalent models of governance in contemporary literature? Answering these questions can clarify the various dimensions of wilāyī governance and demonstrate how this model can provide a theoretical framework for the administration of the Islamic society. The current research is theoretical and analytical in terms of approach, and based on the study of religious texts and library resources in terms of method. By utilizing the conceptual framework of the "construct of movement" and the method of "presenting new questions to religious texts," an effort has been made to extract the components of Quranic governance from the text of the book "An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran". In this method, initially, the fundamental questions related to theories of governance are posed; subsequently, these questions are presented to the text of the Quran and the analyses provided in the aforementioned book. Following that, the themes and concepts related to governance are identified and analyzed, and are organized within the format of a coherent theoretical framework. This approach makes it possible for the main elements of the theory of governance in the thought of Ayatollah Khamenei to be reconstructed systematically. The findings of the research indicate that in the thought of Ayatollah Khamenei, Islamic governance is defined revolving around the concept of "wilāyah". Wilāyah in this framework means the bond and harmony among the members of the faith-based society for moving in the path of truth and realizing divine objectives. Based on this perspective, wilāyī governance is founded upon two main pillars: first, the "Book" (kitāb), which refers to the Quran as the source of worldview and ideology for the administration of society; second, the "Balance" (mīzān), which introduces wilāyah as the criterion of justice and guidance. The main objective of this governance is human-building and society-building in the direction of realizing a just tawḥīdī system and the establishment of religion (iqāmat al-dīn) in the various arenas of life. In this model, the main actors are believers (muʾminūn) who interact with one another within the framework of a network of wilāyī relations, and values such as action-producing faith, tawḥīd, and adherence to wilāyah govern their behavior. The style of governance in this system is the "wilāyī style," which, while utilizing some characteristics of prevalent managerial models, redefines them within the framework of divine values. Furthermore, the main functions of this governance include policymaking, regulation, facilitation, supervision, and institution-building for resolving the problems of society and realizing religious objectives. The realm of wilāyī governance begins from the upbringing of the individual, expands to the level of society and government, and ultimately leads to the formation of the global Islamic civilization. The results of the research demonstrate that in the book "An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran", the necessary elements and components for the formation of a relatively comprehensive theory regarding Islamic governance exist. This theory, by relying on the concept of wilāyah, considers governance a process wherein the society of believers, with divine guidance and within the framework of Quranic values, moves toward the realization of justice and the establishment of religion. In this model, not only is governance not limited to the political administration of society, but it also encompasses all dimensions of human life, from individual upbringing to social and civilizational structures. Hence, wilāyī governance can be posited as a distinct model vis-à-vis the prevalent models of governance; a model that emphasizes the bond between divine guidance, the participation of the society of believers, and the realization of social justice, and its ultimate horizon is the formation of the global Islamic civilization.
Keywords