A Structural Analysis of the Shiite Imamate in the Islamic Government in the Age of Occultation based on the Opinions of Imam Khomeini (RA)

The issue of government throughout human history has been one of the significant issues so that Muslims have sought to establish the political organization of the Islamic societies. Moreover, Shiites regard Imamate as a great example of the Islamic state and one of the pillars to administer the political system after the Prophet (PBUH), which is applied in the age of occultism in the form of Wellayat-e Fagih (authority of the jurist). This study, taking a descriptive-analytical approach, explores the Shiite imamate with regard to the structure of the Islamic government in the age of occultation through the lens of the opinions of Imam Khomeini (RA) and the results reveal that the authority of the jurist is the main pillar of the Shiite system in the age of occultation and the most fundamental institution in the structure of the Islamic Republic system that, while talking about the separation of powers, because of the prevention of illegitimate and corruptive concentration of power, these systems of power are not independent from the leadership. In the thinking of Wellayat-e Fagih (authority of the jurist), three theories were presented considering the boundaries of power: the Islamic nationalism, the absolute export of revolution, and the theory of Umm al-Qura (mother of all settlements). The opinions of Imam about the national and international boundaries of power are represented in various ways. Regarding the political activities of people, he believes that parties, communities, political associations, and religious minorities enjoy freedom as long as they do not conspire.