Research Journal on Fiqh and Islamic Sciences

Research Journal on Fiqh and Islamic Sciences

The Compatibility of Democracy with Wilayat-e Faqih in Ayatollah Khamenei's Political Thought

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Hadi Jalali Asl
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Department of Political Jurisprudence, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/rjfis.2024.489809.1109
Abstract
Ayatollah Khamenei’s concept of Islamic democracy - which simultaneously highlights the role of people and Islamic principles in governance, is a central theme in his political thought. This paper delves into the compatibility of this concept with the theory of Wilayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Supreme Jurist). The question is: Is democracy compatible with Islamic governance? By examining the nature of democracy and Wilayat-e Faqih as articulated by Ayatollah Khamenei, the paper demonstrates that these two concepts are not inherently contradictory. While democracy, understood as popular sovereignty, primarily concerns the formal aspects of governance, Wilayat-e Faqih provides a substantive framework for ensuring that governance is guided by Islamic principles. Ayatollah Khamenei’s interpretation of Wilayat-e Faqih emphasizes its role in safeguarding Islamic values and ensuring the well-being of the Islamic community, while also recognizing the importance of democratic processes and popular participation. An examination of Ayatollah Khamenei's thoughts on Wilayat-e Faqih reveals that this concept is primarily substantive and does not conflict with democracy understood as "rule by the people" at any level.
Keywords
Democracy
Wilayat-e Faqih
Ayatollah Khamenei
Islamic principles

Subjects

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