The Islamic Revolution Approach

The Islamic Revolution Approach

The issue of political parties in contemporary political jurisprudence in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Saeed Javanmard 1
Rasool Afzali 2
Ali Fallah Nejad 3
1 PhD Candidate, Department of Political Science, Khorramabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Political Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran(Corresponding Author)
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Khorramabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran
Abstract
The Islamic Revolution in Iran, unlike the general trend of Western modernity, did not succeed by advocating the separation of religion and politics. Rather, it triumphed under the banner of their collaboration. Consequently, one of the major issues in post-revolutionary Iran has been the capacity of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) to govern public affairs. In this context, the present study investigates the relationship between Islamic jurisprudence and the concept of political parties in contemporary Iran. The hypothesis of the research suggests that political fiqh, through its ongoing engagement with the modern state, has developed broad capacities to absorb and manage modern institutions such as political parties. The findings reveal that not only is there no essential contradiction between Islamic jurisprudence and political partisanship, but also that juristic sources contain conceptual models that can legitimize and guide political party activity. The research method is descriptive-analytical, and data collection is based on library and documentary sources.
Introduction
The Islamic Revolution of 1979 in Iran presented a major rupture in both domestic and global political theory. Unlike Western revolutions that often emphasized secularism and the separation of religion from state, Iran's revolution foregrounded the integration of religious authority into political life. This integration raised foundational questions regarding the compatibility of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) with modern political institutions, particularly political parties. Political parties are central to modern governance systems, serving functions such as interest articulation, elite recruitment, and political participation. However, their roots in secular liberal traditions have made them a subject of debate within religious and traditional societies. This article addresses a core theoretical issue: can Shiite political jurisprudence accommodate and legitimize political party systems in the context of a modern Islamic state? The inquiry is both normative and empirical, engaging with doctrinal texts while also reflecting on contemporary political practice in Iran. The underlying hypothesis asserts that Shiite political fiqh has developed adaptive mechanisms that not only tolerate but also conceptually support the existence and function of political parties within the Islamic Republic.
Methodology
This study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, combining theoretical interpretation with textual analysis. The research relies heavily on library-based and documentary sources, including classical Shiite jurisprudential texts, modern political theory, and the constitutional and institutional structures of the Islamic Republic. By comparing pre-modern juristic doctrines with modern political realities, the study examines the potential for doctrinal continuity and innovation in Islamic governance.
Main Body
1. Historical Context and Theoretical Foundations
The transition of Iranian society from a traditional to a modern polity brought significant changes in governance. The constitutional revolution of the early 20th century initiated debates about representation, rule of law, and legitimacy—debates that intensified following the Islamic Revolution. The integration of clerical authority into state structures created an imperative for political fiqh to evolve and meet the demands of modern governance.
Classical Islamic jurisprudence, developed under non-statist and often dynastic rule, did not conceptualize political parties as such. Nonetheless, within Shiite thought, concepts like shura (consultation), wilayat (guardianship/authority), and ikhtilaf (plurality of opinion) provide a foundation for collective political engagement. The article draws on these concepts to argue that there is doctrinal space for political pluralism in Islam.
2. Jurisprudential Capacity and Doctrinal Flexibility
One of the paper’s key arguments is that Shiite jurisprudence possesses intrinsic flexibility to engage with political innovation. Throughout the 20th century, religious scholars like Ayatollah Na’ini, Imam Khomeini, and others contributed to evolving discourses that framed political authority within Islamic terms while accepting modern institutional forms. The very formation of the Islamic Republic—with elected bodies such as the Parliament (Majlis) and the presidency—reflects this capacity for integration.
Although some religious voices remain cautious toward political parties, citing concerns about divisiveness, foreign infiltration, and ideological inconsistency, many others recognize their potential in organizing political life within a religious framework. The research highlights both supportive and critical views from contemporary clerics and jurists.
3. Practical Manifestations in the Islamic Republic
Empirically, Iran has witnessed the emergence of organized political factions and semi-official parties, ranging from conservative formations like the Combatant Clergy Association to reformist groups like the Islamic Iran Participation Front. These developments, though not always aligned with classical models of Western party systems, suggest the presence of de facto political pluralism. Despite legal and institutional constraints, elections in Iran often present a competitive political field shaped by ideologically distinct groups operating in a quasi-partisan structure.
The paper also explores the political discourse within Iran’s religious seminaries (hawza), where debates continue over the merits and dangers of partisanship. Some jurists argue that party competition can enhance public engagement and ideological clarity, while others emphasize the risks of factionalism undermining national unity.
4. Philosophical and Political Implications
The acceptance—or at least toleration—of political parties in the Islamic Republic has broader implications for the philosophy of Islamic governance. If parties are tools for organizing political participation and ensuring accountability, their compatibility with Islamic ethics must be articulated. This section evaluates how Islamic values like justice, public interest (maslahah), and ethical governance can be operationalized within partisan frameworks. The article suggests that Islamic jurisprudence need not adopt Western liberal democracy wholesale but can offer an alternative model of religious democracy that includes structured political competition.
Conclusion
This study concludes that Shiite political jurisprudence is not inherently incompatible with the concept of political parties. On the contrary, it offers conceptual tools and historical precedents that can support political pluralism within a religious framework. The Islamic Republic’s experience demonstrates that political organization along party lines can coexist with religious governance—albeit in a distinctive form that reflects Iran’s unique political theology.
The research underscores the importance of continuing to develop a political jurisprudence that addresses contemporary institutional needs without sacrificing core Islamic principles. Political parties, when guided by religious ethics and legal oversight, can serve not as threats to Islamic governance, but as instruments of public accountability, participation, and dynamic leadership in a religious democratic order.
Keywords
Fiqh
Political Party
Governance
Religious Democracy
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