Velayat-e Faqih, or “Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist,” is a fundamental concept that has shaped Iran’s political system and its regional influence since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Developed by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, this doctrine justifies clerical rule over the state and has profound implications for Iran’s domestic and foreign policies.
At its core, Velayat-e Faqih transfers political and religious authority to the Shia clergy, making all key state decisions subject to approval by a supreme clerical leader, the Vali-e Faqih. This concept is rooted in Shia Islam but was expanded by Khomeini to apply to the governance of the entire state. The theory posits that in the absence of the 12th Shia Imam, Islamic jurists should rule as guardians until his return.
Implementation in Iran
Following the 1979 revolution, Velayat-e Faqih was enshrined in Iran’s constitution, establishing the position of Supreme Leader as the Vali-e Faqih with broad powers over state affairs. This system gives the Supreme Leader authority over key institutions like the military, judiciary, and state media. It also creates bodies like the Guardian Council to ensure laws conform to Islamic principles.
The transition to absolute Velayat-e Faqih after Khomeini’s death in 1989 further strengthened the Supreme Leader’s institutional authority. Constitutional amendments removed the requirement that the Supreme Leader to be a recognized marja-e taghlid (senior Shia cleric), allowing mid-ranking cleric Ali Khamenei to assume the role. This change expanded the Supreme Leader’s powers to virtually all organs of the state.
Regional Influence and Hezbollah
Khomeini’s interpretation of religious authority had far-reaching consequences beyond Iran’s borders, fundamentally changing the nature of religion and politics in the Islamic world. While Velayat-e Faqih was intended to position the Supreme Leader as the leader of the entire global Muslim community, its Shia nature meant it gained traction primarily among Shia Muslims.
The concept has had significant implications for the stability of the Middle East, particularly through Iran’s relationship with Hezbollah. Founded in 1982 with Iran’s support, Hezbollah was inspired by Khomeini’s teachings and subscribes to Velayat-e Faqih. This ideological alignment has made Hezbollah Iran’s most loyal and dependable regional ally.
Hezbollah’s acceptance of Velayat-e Faqih ensures it operates in full strategic coordination with Iran despite maintaining tactical autonomy. The group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had a strong personal relationship with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, based on 40 years of acquaintance and shared religious-political ideology.
This relationship allows Iran to use Hezbollah as a key component of its “forward defence” strategy against Israel. Hezbollah’s control over southern Lebanon is viewed by Iran as a tool to expand its strategic depth and gain direct access to Israel, compensating for Iran’s geographical distance and military technological inferiority.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its influence, Velayat-e Faqih faces criticism both within Iran and in the broader Islamic world. Critics argue it creates a form of despotism and contradicts the principles of popular sovereignty. There are concerns it leads to attributing government mistakes to religion itself.
The concept also differs from Sunni concepts of the caliphate in that it emphasises clerical rule. Some Shia scholars advocate for representative systems (vekalat) instead of guardianship (velayat). It’s more expansive than traditional interpretations that limited clerical guardianship to specific areas like orphans and the disabled.
Velayat-e Faqih remains a cornerstone of Iran’s political system and regional strategy. It provides the ideological foundation for Iran’s governance model and shapes its relationships with groups like Hezbollah. While it has allowed Iran to project influence beyond its borders, particularly among Shia communities, it also faces challenges and criticisms both domestically and internationally.
The concept’s implementation in Iran and its influence on groups like Hezbollah demonstrate the profound impact religious ideology can have on political systems and regional dynamics. As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, understanding Velayat-e Faqih remains crucial for comprehending Iran’s actions and its relationships with various players in the region.
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(This article was originally written for WestAsiaReview)
