An Analytical Study of the Word Wilayah (Guardianship) in the Light of Islamic Political Thought

Wilayah (guardianship) is considered one of key words of Islamic political thought. Having a clear and proper understanding of the meaning of this term is the key to understanding the political system in Islam and the theory of the guardianship of Islamic jurist in particular. So many doubts have, in recent years, been raised against the political thought and system which are based on the guardianship of Islamic jurist, which is an outcome of lack of of proper understanding of the meaning of this term.This article seeks through a scientific study to expound and bring out the proper meaning of the term in question in the light of Islamic political thought.