The Status of Jurisprudence in Islamic Civilization from the Perspective of Imam Khomeini

Civilization and the layout of functionalist ideas in civilizational construction has been one of the great ideals directing the ideologies of the world for years. All schools of thought have developed theories of civilization by claiming to build a civilized society that can meet the needs of human societies. The religion of Islam is one of these schools of thought that has been able to reach its intellectual potential by relying on the source of revelation in order to create a divine human civilization since its emergence. With the aim of regulating the field of human life in both individual and social dimensions within the framework of civilization, this religion has paid special attention to the (Islamic) sciences. Jurisprudence is one of the important sciences in Islamic civilization that has been used in all periods of Islamic history as a fundamental tool in civilization. By presenting theories in both micro (personal) and macro (human, society and world) dimensions, this science is the most important indigenous knowledge of Islam that has the ability to establish a civilization. Imam Khomeini (ra) is one of the Islamic philosophers in the contemporary era who tried to provide a method based on the science of jurisprudence in order to revive the Islamic civilization.The present article attempts to discuss the function of jurisprudence in an Islamic civilization based on the ideological foundations of Imam Khomeini in a descriptive-analytical way. Research findings show: 1. As one of the main foundations of Imam Khomeini's thought, jurisprudence plays a fundamental role in the creation of this civilization; 2. From Imam Khomeini's perspective, the restriction of jurisprudence in individual matters is in direct opposition to the Sharia’s goal of passing rulings; 3. Imam Khomeini considers government in Islam as an objective example of jurisprudence in resolving the crises of society and displays the practical aspect of jurisprudence; 4. According to Imam Khomeini, the purpose of the Sharia in enacting rulings along with order and rule of law in individual behavior is to support the construction of a society in accordance with the law (Sharia) that this society should establish a worthy civilization of divine men.