Document Type : Brief Communication Paper
Authors
1
PhD Student in Public Law, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Law, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Judicial Law, University of Judicial Sciences and Administrative Services, Tehran. Iran.
Abstract
∴ Introduction ∴
In an Islamic government, legislation stands as one of the most critical applications of guardianship (Velayat) concerning the affairs, honors, and properties of the people. Consequently, recognizing the standard Fatwa (Fatwa-ye Me'yār) in this domain is of paramount importance, as it constitutes the legitimacy test for the legislative actions undertaken by the government. Given that the right to apply guardianship in the Age of Absence (of the Twelfth Imam PBUH) is assigned to a completely qualified jurist, and assuming a government has been established, the authority for making decisions in social and governmental affairs (Ahkām al-Sultānīyah) falls to the ruling jurist (Faqih Hakim). This necessity of basing the legal system on Sharia standards is a fundamental principle in the Islamic Republic of Iran, notably articulated in Principle 4 of the Constitution.
∴ Research Question ∴
The core research question investigates the validity of the premise that the ruling jurist's Fatwa serves as the standard for legislation, particularly within areas involving social and governmental affairs. The study seeks to determine the extent to which the constitutional judge—specifically the Guardian Council—supports and strengthens this assumption. Essentially, the research asks how the practice and written opinions (interpretive, consultative, and comparative) of the Guardian Council confirm the primacy and priority of the Leader's Fatwa in measuring the legitimacy and Sharia conformity of parliamentary enactments.
∴ Research Hypothesis ∴
The article operates under the hypothesis that the standard Fatwa in legislation is the ruling jurist's Fatwa (the Leader's Fatwa). This assumption is based on the premise that the evidence supporting the Fatwa of the ruling jurist possesses greater certainty and strength (itqān) compared to other competing jurisprudential views. The research hypothesizes that the re-investigation of this foundation through the constitutional judge's opinions will reveal that there are multiple rulings from the Guardian Council that support and reinforce this preference.
∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable ∴
This research employs a descriptive-analytical method utilizing primary data gathered from library sources. The analytical framework centers on a systematic examination of the interpretive, consultative, and comparative opinions of the Guardian Council. This approach is used to validate the foundational premise regarding the preference for the Fatwa of the Leader (Vali-e Faqih) as the legislative standard. The objective is to identify how the Guardian Council, acting as the constitutional judge, has practically applied or referenced the ruling jurist's decrees when measuring the Sharia conformity of laws, thereby demonstrating the operational preference for this Fatwa.
∴ Results & Discussion ∴
The results confirm the research assumption, demonstrating that several opinions from the constitutional judge (Guardian Council) support and strengthen the said assumption regarding the Leader's Fatwa. The reliance by the Guardian Council on the Fatwa of its jurists as the test for Sharia legitimacy can be interpreted as the ruling jurist confirming the Constitutional Act and assigning the supervision task. The Vali-e Faqih's authority in legislative channels requires the Guardian Council’s jurists to operationalize his views through Ijtiḥādī application rather than merely clerical review. Furthermore, accepting this view places a doubled emphasis on the necessity for Guardian Council jurists and lawyers to possess characteristics such as "justice," "awareness of the requirements of the time," and "expertise in various legal fields," as stipulated in Principle 91 of the Constitutional Act.
∴ Conclusion ∴
The article concludes that the legal system of the Islamic Republic of Iran demonstrates a clear ranked preference for the Fatwa of the ruling jurist in the domain of legislation. The practice of the Guardian Council, as revealed through its various opinions, validates the constitutional principle that the Fatwa of the Faqih Hakim should serve as the standard. This interpretation not only safeguards the Guardian Council's crucial supervisory role concerning legislation but also highlights that the continuity of the Vali-e Faqih's authority in the legislative process is realized through the Ijtiḥādī application performed by the Council's jurists. The application of this standard is the expression of the Velayat of the Leader in the legislative sphere.
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