The Governmental Theory of the Occultation Period According to Sheihk Mufid

The governmental theory of the Occultation Period in the thoughts of the Shi’i jurisprudents (faqihs) is based on a series of theoretical principles according to which one can recognize Shi’i jurisprudents’ views of the government in the Period of Occultation. Some of these principles are taken to be among the definite principles agreed upon by the majority of jurisprudents. Sheikh Mufid is one of the early distinguished Shi’i jurisprudents who has raised some speculations on government and holds certain views about the rule and government in the Period of Occultation which can be recognized and reformulated in the Shi’i political thought and jurisprudence.
Sheikh Mufid’s theory of government and sovereignty in the Occultation Period rests upon certain principles and elements which can be recounted as the following: 1. A maximal view of religion. 2. Comprehensiveness of religious judgements (rulings); judgements being of two kinds: newly passed and confirmed previously established. 3. They extend to cover all aspects of personal and social lives. 4. The explanation of the position of reason and its scope in governmental principles. 5. Rule over people is exclusive to God. 6. The pronouncement and enactment of the Divine laws and commandments are entrusted to certain righteous people who are also appointed as rulers by God, this being the extension of the rule and sovereignty of the Infallible Imams; and 7. The priority of the rule of a Muslim jurist in the Period of Occultation according to the rational and textual reasons.
This article seeks to explain the principles of the rule and sovereignty in the Period of Major Occultation in accordance with the views of Sheikh Mufid.