An Analysis into Immaculate Imams’ View and Way of Conduct toward Cruel Government and Governor

The present paper deals with Infallible Imams’ view on the cruel government, in addition to elaborating on the concept of the cruel government. Although before the major Occultation Era the issue of the cruel governor had been under question, the concept has been extensively used in the literature of Shiite jurisprudence since the major Occultation. The way of treating rulers has been one of the greatest concerns of the Shiite jurisprudents in the era such that the question of whether their action was in accordance with Infallible Imams’ will was put forward. Despite the existence of particular principles since the major Occultation Era, the concept of cruel governor has been developed under different circumstances. What is Immaculate Imams’ view on cruel governors? What was their way of conduct toward the rulers of their times and what did they suggest their followers and devotees doing in confrontation with cruel rulers?