Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Law, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran.
2
LLM Student in Public Law, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Law, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
∴ Introduction ∴
The concept of ‘Law’ serves as the fundamental cornerstone for establishing any legal regime. Since the Constitutionalism Era, Muslim scholars and thinkers have diligently pursued investigations into the nature of law and its connection to legislation and Shariat (canonization). Among these key intellectual figures is Martyr Ayatollah Dr. Beheshti, who holds significant standing due to his high jurisprudential and scientific capabilities, and his pivotal role in drafting the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This research aims to explore Beheshti’s distinctive views regarding the concept and various dimensions of law. Law, as a central vocabulary item in public law, is vital for regulating the order of the legal system and addressing key social dilemmas.
∴ Research Question ∴
The core research endeavor seeks to determine what the position of ‘law’ and its related issues are in the thought of Martyr Beheshti?. This overarching inquiry is broken down into several specific questions concerning Beheshti’s intellectual perspective, including the necessity of law in society, the clarification of the concept and types of law, the principle of the rule of law and the equality of individuals before it, the nature of the ratio between law and freedom within Islamic society, and the ruling principles governing the process of legislation in the Islamic Republic.
∴ Research Hypothesis ∴
It is posited that Martyr Beheshti views the presence of law as an intrinsic necessity for the management and governance of society, asserting that moral education alone is insufficient to achieve true societal felicity. The law, in his perspective, is hypothesized to be a binding rule imposed by a powerful source that assigns duties and applies punishments for disobedience. Furthermore, it is expected that Beheshti’s framework establishes the law as the determinant of freedom’s boundaries within the Islamic regime, while mandating that the legislation process must integrate the principles of Islamic rule, public interest, and justice.
∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable ∴
The study utilizes a descriptive-analytical method to investigate Beheshti’s ideas. This involves a careful analysis of his written works and intellectual output regarding law, with the specific aim of systematically categorizing and studying the necessary components of his theory, such as the concepts of law, its various types, the necessity of its existence, and the relationship between law and freedom. The framework specifically focuses on understanding the ideological foundation of law and legislation within the context of the Islamic regime as conceived by Beheshti, particularly noting that his works are generally considered to be among the key foundational texts of the Islamic Revolution’s thought.
∴ Results & Discussion ∴
The research results confirm that Beheshti deems law necessary for society's management, defining it as a binding rule originating from a powerful source that mandates duties and enforces penalties for non-compliance. From his viewpoint, law regulates all relationships, and all individuals are equal before the law, a stance derived from the shared, fundamental nature of human creation. Beheshti divides laws into three categories based on their source and intent: authoritarian (individual or class-based), national (stemming from the will of the majority of a nation), and universal/sectarian (based on a universal ideology, like Islam, aimed at general welfare). In the Islamic context, the law determines the boundaries of individual freedom, preventing behavior that harms public interests or moral standards. The system of legislation in the Islamic Republic is characterized by a blend of “ideologue” and “democracy”, reflecting its unique structure as a system of Imamate and Ummah. When codifying laws in this system, attention must be paid to three crucial principles: the rule of Islam, the observance of public interests of society, and the rule of justice.
∴ Conclusion ∴
Martyr Beheshti’s legal thought identifies law as an essential administrative tool for societal order, superior to mere educational factors. His insistence on the Rule of Law emphasizes the complete equality of all people before the legal system, irrespective of position or affiliation. Law defines the legitimate scope of freedom, ensuring that individual liberty does not undermine collective morality or public interests in the Islamic society. The legislative methodology in the Islamic Republic of Iran, derived from Beheshti's vision of the system of Ummah and Imamate, must integrate popular representation (through elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly) with ideological conformity (through the oversight of the Guardian Council's jurisprudents). Ultimately, all legal statutes must uphold the core dictates of Islamic law, prioritize public interest over personal or group interests, and ensure the centrality of justice in all dimensions of society.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)
