Wilayat al-Faqih

Wilayat al-Faqih, meaning "Guardianship of the Jurist," is an Islamic political doctrine primarily associated with Shia Iran. It holds that a qualified Islamic cleric (faqih) should have authority over political and legal matters to ensure society adheres to Islamic principles. This concept grants clerical leadership a role beyond spiritual guidance, combining religious scholarship with governance. In practice, it justifies the Islamic Republic of Iran’s system, where the Supreme Leader, a senior cleric, holds ultimate authority over state affairs, merging religious authority with political power to shape laws and policies in accordance with Islamic teachings.