'Ulama's Authority and the State of Exception: Velayat-e Faqih from Naraqi to Khomeini

ISBN: 3659146951

Author: Soleimani, Kamal

Condition: New

The 1979 Iranian Revolution and the subsequent formation of the new state brought both Ayatollah Khomeini and the concept of Velayat-e Faqih (the authority of the jurist) to a worldwide audience. However, the concept itself has a relatively long history in Shii juridical endeavors. From its inception, the Twelver Shii religion justified its opposition to the dominant Sunni majority and tied its raison dtre to the claim of having access to infallible guidance and leadership. This exclusive spiritual and political leadership became available to Shiism through its belief in the divine leadership of twelve religious figures who were all descendents of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. This theo-political approach to the issue of political authority renders the concept of Velayat-e Faqih (authority of the jurist), as advocated later by the likes of Khomeini, both paradoxical and possible.