Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Wilayat al-Faqih)

Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Wilayat al-Faqih) is a concept in Iran where a learned religious scholar (faqih) has authority over political and governmental matters, guiding the state based on Islamic principles. It asserts that a qualified Islamic jurist should oversee public policy, laws, and leadership to ensure they align with sharia law, especially when the elected leaders may lack sufficient religious expertise. This system aims to combine religious legitimacy with political governance, maintaining Islamic values at the core of the state's functions.