Āyatollāh Jawādi Āmoli's View of the Political System in Islam during the Occultation Period

Discussing the structures of Islamic system, the article sheds light on the main elements of Islamic system, the boundaries of Islamic system and power network. It also touches on the special functions or duties of the Islamic system and the jurisdiction of Wali al-faqih (guardian jurist of Islamic law). Generally speaking, Ayatollāh Jawādi Āmuli sees that thestructure of Islamic system is founded on the system of Imamate and wilāyah (guardianship), and holds that during the occultation period, the faqih who enjoys all the qualifications – as such, he is the nearest one to the infallible Imam – holds the responsibility of leadership and guardianship. The essence of such authority is, in fact, the authority of divine revelation and divine law in the period of the presence of infallible Imamand the guardianship of fiqh and justice in "the occultation period". He holds that such government is considered legitmate through divine decree and consent, and thinks that though people have no role in rendering it legimate, the establishment of Islamic government demands people's consent and support. The Islamic identity of the Islamic government represents the establishment and its republicanism represtents the affirmation. The author addresses this issue in the light of Ayatollāh Jawādi Amoli's thought making use of the systematic analysis model.