Abstract
Undoubtedly, jurisprudence has been a foundational pillar of Islamic Iran’s culture and civilization, deeply influencing its intellectual landscape. While rooted in fixed principles, Shia jurisprudence has evolved significantly over time, especially after the Islamic Revolution. This research investigates major transformations in Shia political jurisprudence from the Safavid era to the present. Initially, Shia jurists refrained from political involvement, focusing on doctrinal development. During the Safavid and Qajar periods, jurists legitimized rulers and took limited governmental roles, bringing Shia jurisprudence out of isolation. By the Qajar and Pahlavi eras, their influence expanded through political movements and participation in state institutions. The Islamic Revolution marked a turning point, transitioning Shia jurisprudence from advisory roles to direct political administration. By integrating jurisprudential principles with governance, they shaped a model that continues to define Iran’s political system. Using a descriptive-historical approach, this study highlights jurisprudence’s adaptability, illustrating its progression from marginalization to centrality in governance, reaffirming its vital role in shaping modern political frameworks and showcasing its enduring capacity for addressing evolving political realities.
Keywords: jurisprudence, practical politics, Shia, Islamic revolution.
Introduction
Throughout history, Shia jurists have faced challenges in articulating their political thoughts. During periods of intense political suppression, particularly when pressures on Shias were at their peak, taqiyyah (dissimulation) became a necessary doctrine to ensure survival. However, this dynamic began to change during the Safavid era when Shiism became a state religion, allowing political ideals to gradually surface and influence governance. By the Qajar period, Shia jurisprudence’s influence had deepened, culminating in significant paradigm shifts during the Constitutional Revolution, which integrated jurisprudence into modern political structures. Over time, Shia political jurisprudence evolved from detachment from political engagement during the early occultation period to legitimizing governance, advising rulers, and ultimately assuming governance roles in the Islamic Republic. This article explores the progression of Shia jurisprudence’s engagement with politics, using a descriptive-historical approach and analyzing its roles in different historical contexts.
Materials & Methods
The study examines Shia jurisprudence across four historical periods:
1. Pre-Safavid Era (Withdrawal): During this period, Shia jurists refrained from direct political involvement, focusing instead on developing theoretical underpinnings. Practical politics, defined as the implementation of political theories in real-world contexts, was neither feasible nor structurally supported for Shia scholars. Instead, their contributions were confined to compiling jurisprudential texts and reinforcing doctrinal foundations.
2. Safavid Era (Legitimization and Consultation): With the establishment of Shiism as the state religion, clerics gained significant social, cultural, and symbolic capital. This period marked a shift toward active legitimization of governance structures. Jurists such as Allameh Majlesi provided frameworks for legitimizing the Sultan’s rule and offered jurisprudential advice to ensure governance aligned with Shia principles of justice.
3. Qajar Era (Limited Participation): The Qajar period witnessed a nuanced engagement of Shia jurists in governance. While some clerics held official roles (e.g., Shaykh al-Islam, Qazi), many exercised informal influence through significant political and social power. This era reflected a transitional phase where jurists’ roles extended beyond the spiritual domain, shaping societal norms and influencing major decisions such as war and peace.
4. Post-Revolutionary Era (Direct Administration): The Islamic Revolution of 1979 marked the culmination of Shia jurisprudence’s political engagement. Under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, Shia jurisprudence transitioned from advising and legitimizing governance to directly administering it. Institutions like the Expediency Council embodied the principles of Shia jurisprudence, integrating them into a governance model rooted in public legitimacy and people’s votes.
Discussion & Result
From the early occultation period to the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Shia political jurisprudence experienced an evolutionary trajectory. Initially, jurists operated in isolation, focusing on doctrinal development rather than practical politics. The Safavid era marked a turning point, where jurists emerged as legitimizers and advisors within the political structure. By the Qajar period, this involvement deepened, with clerics exerting influence in both official and informal capacities. Although Reza Shah’s secularization policies during the Pahlavi era curtailed their influence, the subsequent Islamic Revolution restored and expanded their political role. The Islamic Republic institutionalized Shia jurisprudence in governance. Imam Khomeini leveraged jurisprudential principles to craft a political system that combined divine legitimacy with popular sovereignty. This dual legitimacy allowed Shia jurisprudence to address diverse administrative needs while preserving its doctrinal essence. The progression from marginalization to centrality underscores Shia jurisprudence’s adaptability and resilience, demonstrating its capacity to address evolving political realities while remaining anchored in Islamic principles.
Conclusion 
The evolution of Shia political jurisprudence reflects a historical curve: withdrawal from politics during the early occultation; legitimization and advisory roles during the Safavid period; limited participation during the Qajar era; and direct administration in the Islamic Republic. This progression highlights a dynamic interplay between doctrinal development and political engagement. The establishment of the Islamic Republic marks the zenith of Shia jurisprudence’s influence, demonstrating its ability to integrate theoretical principles into practical governance. The Islamic Revolution not only actualized Shia jurisprudence’s potential for state administration but also reaffirmed its enduring relevance in addressing contemporary political and social challenges.