The Juridical and Legal Nature of the Election of the Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts

Legal systems of the world, despite the title “absolute ruler or authority” whether used for a person elected as a leader or a president or for a person in a position of a king, each chooses the head of state in line with particular legal rules. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, with acknowledging the fact that the absolute ruler or authority is only God, the Almighty, and that the ruler or guardian jurist is actually appointed by mediate interference of God, according to the Article 107 of the constitution of Iran, the responsibility of appointing the Supreme leader is delegated to the Assembly of Experts of the Leadership. This article, as an introduction to the issue in question, deals with the following constituent elements as presuppositions: Is the office of leadership a contract or a unilateral obligation or allegiance of some sort? And in case it is a contract, is it binding or permissible? Is it a designated (taÝyini) office or a determined(taÝyyoni) one? The article deals with the question whether a leader is appointed or elected, and such issues as supervising the activities of the leader and his dismissal from his office, entrusting the office of guardianship to the guardian jurist in line with the theories that allows giving the office of guardianship to the Muslim jurist for concentrating authority; assigning(jaÝl) the office of guardianship and considering(insha’) the appointment of the guardian jurist; offering guidance and showing the right way; complementing and giving effect to the office of guardianship; giving the power of attorney to the jurist; having the position of a ruler as well as a judge; and finally considers the legal and juridical nature of assigning the Supreme leader in terms of the discovery of referents as based on expertise and clear evidence. The author raises some discussions on the theories advanced by some ShiÝÐ jurists (faqihs), including the great architect of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Khomeini.