Maintaining local and foreign relations...

Maintaining local and foreign relations; dispatching border patrols to protect the country; appointing the prayer leaders for Salatul Jumuah and Salatul Jamaat; appointing financial representatives who would be responsible for collecting the zakat and other forms of wealth [which are due by the people to maintain the country] and hundreds of other programs which must be implemented, including the various cultural issues, economic rights, political and military issues, etc...

are all the definite responsibility and task of the Jurist! Without such responsibilities, it would be impossible to implement the complete and comprehensive code of Islam and correctly manage the Islamic society in a way which would earn the pleasure of Allah (SWT).[^3] In Summary From that which we have just mentioned, we conclude that: The meaning of ‘wilayat’ or ‘authority’ is the ‘wilayat tashrii’ or ‘legislative authority’.

The absolute authority does not mean that the Jurist works unrestrained or with no one overseeing him. Rather, it means that he has the absolute authority when it comes to the implementation of the Islamic regulations within the framework of the sacred teachings of Islam.

Seeing as how the Jurist is responsible for all aspects of the faith and its protection during the occultation of the infallible Imam (AS), he cannot achieve his goals without having a full authority in the realm of the implementation of all of the aspects of Islam and the best form of management of the Islamic society as it should be managed and guided. Therefore, this (too) points to his absolute authority. For more information on this topic, refer to: Naqd Quarterly Journal, issue 7, pp.

68 to 69. Naqd Quarterly Journal, issue 8, pg. 68 onwards. [^1]: Ayatullah Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi, Questions and Answers, vol. 1, pg. 59 [^2]: Ayatullah Abdullah Jawadi Amuli, Wilayatul Faqih, pg. 251 [^3]: Ibid., pp. 248 - 249 Previous…