The Foundations of Legitimacy of the Islamic Governmnet (with a Focus on Ayatollah Khamenei’s Opinions)

Considering republicanism and Islamism as the two foundations of legitimacy and considering a similar or staircase role for public acceptance, has led the theory of combined (dual) legitimacy to face ambiguities. By referring to this theory in the three phases of definition, justification and consequences and by scrutiny, attention and presenting a special approach, the current article tries to resolve the ambiguities. According to the theological principles, all three theories on legitimacy (selection, appointment and dual) agree that the ruler would have the right to govern only if he would have the religious legal conditions. However, there is no agreement on whether he would also need to have another precondition, such as public acceptance. The cause of this dispute is the lack of differentiation between the two positions of the right to govern and the establishment (tenure) of the government. None of the three theories believe that the “innocents” (Imams) or “non-innocents” are authorized to establish a government by force, i.e. to establish a government, public consent or public acceptance is a precondition. However, regarding the right to govern, just as the innocents enjoy the divine permission (regardless of the public acceptance), the Faghihs are also authorized and have the right to govern; even if we admit that at the time of the absence of the innocent, the ruler is not specified and people have a role in selecting the ruler.