This slogan of the separation of religion from politics and...

This slogan of the separation of religion from politics and the demand that Islamic scholars should not intervene in social and political affairs have been formulated and propagated by the imperialists; it is only the irreligious who repeat them. Were religion and politics separate in the time of the Prophet ( s )? Did there exist, on one side, a group of clerics, and opposite it, a group of politicians and leaders?

Were religion and politics separate in the time of the caliphs—even if they were not legitimate—or in the time of the Commander of the Faithful ( ‘a )? Did two separate authorities exist?

These slogans and claims have been advanced by the imperialists and their political agents in order to prevent religion from ordering the affairs of this world and shaping Muslim society.[475] According to the Imām, [Islam] is a school of thought which, contrary to non-monotheist schools of thought, has function and jurisdiction in all aspects of the individual and society, material and spiritual, culture and politics, military and economy.

It has not neglected any point including the most trivial one, which has a role in the nourishment of man and the society as well as in the material and spiritual advancement.[476] With such an approach, basically, one who speaks about the separation of the two categories has indeed not understood the function and nature of neither of the two.

“The meaning of ‘What have we to do with politics?’ is that we should totally put Islam aside; Islam ought to be set aside; Islam must be buried in our chambers; Islam must be buried in our books.”[477] In the view of the Imām, “Basically, the foundation of Islam is in politics.”[478] “The Messenger of God ( s ) has laid the edifice of politics in piety.”[479] “From the time of the Messenger of God ( s ) up to the period when there was not yet any deviation, politics and piety were in tandem.”[480] These topics have been repeated time and again, and are more understandable and acceptable particularly in light of the definition of politics that he gives.

As stated in the previous discussion, in his view, “Politics is meant to guide the society and take it forward. It should take into account all the interests of the society; it should consider all the dimensions of man and society and lead them to whatever is to their good, the good of the nation and of the individuals.