ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Political Theory (Legislation): Volume 2 Session 33: Islam and Different Forms of Government Skepticism on Islam’s alleged lack of government planning and program During the last session we dealt with a question related to the form of government—Has Islam specified a form of government or delegated it to the people? If it has specified the form, is it confined to a specific period or can be applied at all times to all places?

Or, does it constantly change with the change in social circumstances? Some say: “It is true that during the time of the Holy Prophet ( s ) there was a specific form of Islamic government, but it was related to that period only. The sacred religion specified that form of government only for the time of the Prophet, and thereafter new forms had to be chosen.

It is even possible that at a given period, social conditions will demand the establishment of an Islamic government within the framework of a liberal democratic government, since these two forms do not contradict each other.

Just as we have applied some Western modes of implementation—for example, the parliamentary system, constitutionalism[^1] and now republicanism and believe both are not against Islam—it is possible that a time will come when we will accept the liberal democratic model and come to believe that it is not repugnant to Islam!?” In reply to the above, it is necessary to point out the ambiguity and erroneous thinking surrounding it.

As we all know, the Islamic Republic was established in our country by the great architect of the Islamic Revolution, His Eminence Imam Khomeini ( q ) and at its very inception, the Constitution was drafted and ratified by the people and approved by the Imam. Similarly, with his approval the foundation of the government was laid down and in the course of time some changes were also made in some of its parts.

It is clear that neither the structure of our system is rooted in the time of the Holy Prophet ( s ) nor a system with the Islamic characteristics established during the period of the Commander of the Faithful ( ‘a ).

The separation of powers existed neither during the time of the Prophet ( s ) nor that of the Commander of the Faithful ( ‘a ) but the principle of the separation of powers has been accepted in our constitution, and the governments has three branches—executive, legislative and judiciary.