The Functions of Political Jurisprudence in Constructing the Identity of Islamic Society

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, Tehran, Iran

2 Graduate, Level Three in Jurisprudence and Public Law, Higher Institute for Jurisprudence, Law, and Islamic Judiciary; Seminary of Qom, Qom, Iran

10.22081/psq.2024.69032.2891

Abstract

Identity, as that with which individuals and societies are known, has consistently been one of the most significant issues in social studies. The construction of identity arises from a complex set of perceptual, value-based, and behavioral components that interact in a meaningful and coordinated way. Within societies, various identity-forming elements exist, notably the prominent role of knowledge, values, and norms within each society. In Islamic society, religion functions as the primary social factor in defining individual and collective identity. Political jurisprudence, as Islam’s practical framework in the socio-political sphere, embodies the actions and principles guiding individuals, groups, and political structures. Through the articulation of principles and guidelines for religious conduct and citizens' way of life, it shapes the behavior, speech, and even thought of individuals and society, endowing them with a distinctive and distinguished identity. The aim of this article is to examine the role of political jurisprudence in shaping the identity of Islamic society, especially following the Islamic Revolution in Iran. This study seeks to answer the question: What are the fundamental functions of political jurisprudence in constructing the identity of Islamic society? Through the methodology of ijtihad, as well as the description and analysis of relevant data, the hypothesis emphasizes that one of the most critical identity-related functions of political jurisprudence is to elevate wilāya (guardianship or authority) as a unifying and central element within Islamic society. Other identity-related functions, including responsibility, the establishment of divine ordinances, opposition to oppression and tyranny, enforcement of divine law, the creation of a justice-oriented society, and attention to the affairs of Muslims, derive their significance from wilāya. This collective of jurisprudential functions, rooted in the foundation of wilāya, has crafted a unique identity for post-revolutionary Iranian society, establishing clear boundaries with other societies and ideologies.

Keywords

References

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