Clarifying the Reality of Guiding (Irshādī) Rule with a Focus on Understanding Reason and The Conduct of the Wise (Banā-yi ʿUqalā)

Two of the commonly used terms in the fields of jurisprudence and ʾUṣūl regarding the legitimacy of rulings are Muwlavī (authoritative) or Irshādī (directive/guiding). Despite the fact that the term Irshādī is used frequently in ʾUṣūlī and jurisprudential texts, an independent discussion about the meaning of this term has not been carried out, which has led to confusion and lack of clarity regarding related this issue. Through and exploration of various discussions and contexts in jurisprudential and ʾUṣūlī books, it was concluded that the terms Muwlavī or Irshādī have found common verbal usage among various meanings. These include the following: 1. Guiding (Irshād) towards a legislative ruling (ḥukm-i vażʿī) 2. Guiding towards divine Sharīʿa rulings as opposed to the ruling of a governmental authority (Muwlavī) 3. Worldly benevolence regardless of afterlife impact 4. Guiding towards understanding reason in discovering Sharīʿa rulings 5. Guiding towards the conduct of the wise (Banā-yi ʿUqalā) in assuming its independence in discovering the Sharīʿa ruling 6. Stating the ruling precedent or subsequent to the establishment of Sharīʿa ruling.The study concludes that each Sharīʿa ruling may be considered Irshādī according to one meaning, and Muwlavī according to another.