An Investigation of Fundamental Rational Arguments in the Theory of Wilayat al-Faqih

The objective of the present study is to survey ontological fundaments of the political theory of Wilayat al-Faqih (guardianship of the Islamic jurist) and to determine the epistemological networks existing in Shi’ite ideology. The results of the research conducted by descriptive analysis indicate that the arguments for the necessity of Wilayat al-Faqih would not be comprehensive and sufficient unless we consider the place of human being in this world, the existence of other worlds, and also the necessity of human perfection through the system of creation. This ideology is explained in this article by explicitly rational as well as implicitly-explicitly traditional-rational arguments. The above ideology has led to the determination of the theoretical fundaments of Wilayat al-Faqih in philosophical and wisdom books. Although the issue of Wilayat al-Faqih like many other issues can be studied from Fiqhi (juristic) and Kalami (philosophical) aspect, its philosophical aspect is more dominant so that it can be regarded as a totally theological issue related to one’s ideology and juristic beliefs.