Rather...

Rather, it is our belief that the Jurist has the right of possession (of the property of others); right of formulating religious laws and societal regulations; passing rulings and the execution of the laws in relation to the administration of the affairs of the society and the societal issues. Therefore, we must place him ahead of all others while all other people are bound with the responsibility of observing this right and obeying his decisions, commands and laws.

Or if, for example, a person had given his khums (20% savings tax) and zakat (various religious tithes which have been explained in the detailed books of Islamic jurisprudence) and had no other compulsory financial obligations resting upon him, however if the Prophet (SAWW) was to order him to give a certain amount of money towards the war [or any other cause], then that person would be obligated to give that money!

He would not have the right to object since his (the Prophet’s (SAWW) ruling is as the ruling of Allah (SWT) and as we know, when it comes to the rule of Allah (SWT), there are no ifs, ands or buts! The late Imam Khumayni (RA) had given the following example in his lessons on many occasions that: “If the Islamic authority was to tell me to give my Aba (cloak), then I must give it to him.

When the best interest of the Islamic society would have demanded it, the Jurist who is in authority must have discerned that he had a need for my Aba and thus, if he was to ask me for it, I would be obliged to obey him and hand it over.” This is the true meaning of the ‘Governance of the Jurist’ which has matured and set into our culture. Until recent, there were no doubts in regards to this issue.

Indeed, every single man and woman - young and old - villager or city dweller - knew this definition and accepted it. In addition, there are also various proofs in regards to this authority, of which the most well-known is the ‘Tobacco ruling’ case and the verdict (hukm) which was laid down by the late Mirza Shirazi.