Imamate

The government and guardianship (Wilaya) have long been one of the most fundamental human societies issues. Prosperity, failure, dignity, and degradation of any society are directly affected by the power presiding over it. Therefore, universities and educational centers have long put the research, clarification, and the teaching of governing theories, principles, and sub-principles in their academic perspective. Both Shias and Sunnis accept guardianship and governance as a principle to a functioning society while disagreeing on the Islamic ruler's qualifying conditions. When theorizing the jurist's control (Wilaya of Faqih), Shia scholars solely assume their take on Islam for granted, almost irrespective of the Sunni perspective. Therefore, people may rightfully ask: ‘what are the Sunnis scholarly and jurisprudential stance on the Islamic jurist's guardianship?’ ‘Is this specific to the Shia world and limited to Shia Jurisprudential (Fiqh) theorizations or Sunnis supporting it?’ What are the privative and affirmative Sunni views for jurisprudence (Fiqaha) as a qualifying condition for the Islamic ruler?’ and ‘what are these views based?’ ‘What traits and requirements are necessary for the Islamic ruler from the Sunni scholarly perspective and whether or not it is possible to deduce the Islamic jurist's guardianship, as an exigent Islamic issue, from the Sunni-recognized Hadiths?’ These are questions to which this article will seek to provide answers from the viewpoint of political jurisprudence.

Due to the long-standing nature of the discourse surrounding it, the definition of justice has evolved within a wide range of theories that attempt to define it. Each theory in the intellectual history of humankind that has sought to define justice has done so based on its foundational commitments. Consequently, the definition of justice is intrinsically linked to the theoretical framework from which it emerges. This article seeks to review several liberal theories of justice—particularly those of Hume, Kant, and Adam Smith—and to demonstrate that, despite their internal variations, these theories are characterized by a secular orientation. The central question this article addresses is whether Imām Riḍā's (PBUH) teachings offer any response to the secular foundations underpinning these theories. In the findings section, drawing on the dialogue between ʿAllāma Ṭabāṭabāʾī and Henry Corbin, the paper argues that secularism, by emphasizing anthropomorphic theology (tashbīh) and rejecting transcendent theology (tanzīh) along with the metaphysical dimension of divinity, has enabled the secular and worldly interpretation of various dimensions of human life—including justice. In the final section and conclusion, the focus turns to the link between Imamate and justice, highlighting the potential of the Razavi hadiths to critique secular theories of justice.