Investigating the Manifestations of Political Participation in Islamic Government

Using descriptive and analytical method, this paper seeks to show the various manifestations of political participation in the Islamic government and examine its realization in some instances of this method of government. According to the findings of this study, in the Islamic government, various manifestations of political participation are realized, including preparing the ground for the formation of the government, protection of the government, participation in decision-making, obedience to the ruler, supervision on the ruler, guidance of the ruler and finally, accountability of the ruler. Attention to the aforementioned manifestations, that arise from the fields of political participation in the two spheres of religious beliefs and duties, facilitates the claim that, contrary to secularists’ ideas, the path to political participation is not blocked in the Islamic government; the priority of divine rules over citizens’ preferences does not mean ignoring their position and role in the management of society. Not only is the government based on the single and specific religion of Islam compatible with the basis of political participation, but also the participation of citizens in politics is one of the important and basic pillars of religious government.