The Study and Critique of the Thesis “the Necessity of Preserving Illegitimate Political Systems with Emphasis on the Thoughts of Imam Khomeini and the Supreme Leader Ayatullāh Khāmenei

The idea of ‘the necessity of preserving illegitimate political systems’ is based on the assertion that there is no concomitance between the necessity of preserving the political system and the legitimacy of a political system. In other words, the necessity of a political system is imperative and this does not depend on the legitimacy of the political system. Acceptance of this idea may have some implications, one of which may be that it not only justifies existing secular governments but also invalidates -- though unwillingly -- the legitimacy of rising against such governments. In addition to this, it overshadows the Islamic awakening or the Islamic revival movements of the countries in the region. Now, it is necessary to assess the relation between this idea and the proofs and principles of political jurisprudence. Accordingly, this question is raised that “from the viewpoint of political jurisprudence, what decision can be made about the idea of preserving the illegitimate political systems?” To answer this question, the emphasis should be put on both legal documents and the principles formulated by Imam Khomeini and Supreme Leader ÀyatullÁh KhÁmenei. The findings of the research show that the generalizations of legal documents and general statements and views of the jurisprudents who have great expertise in political jurisprudence not only do not justify the preservation of the illegitimate political systems but they all insist on the necessity of rising against such illegitimate political systems.