An Analysis of Lawful Commands, their Effects, Objections, and Response

In this article, after elucidation of the concept and principle of lawful commands (khiṭābāt-i qānūniyya), which are among Imam Khomeini’s intellectual innovations, four questions are answered in detail: What are the arguments and evidences of the principle? What are the impressions resulting from this principle in principles of jurisprudence and, following that, in jurisprudence? What objections are lodged against this principle? What answers can be given to these objections? From among the impressions about belief in lawful commands, seven significant impressions are pointed out and in examining the objections raised, eight important objections have been brought up and totally sixteen answers have been given and finally, the basic principle has been proved with a little alteration in some of the stipulations of the theory.