The Investigation of Ayatollah Mutahhari’s view on Government and its Foundations

Ayatollah Mutahhari believes that the existence of government as an institution that governs the rules and politics of society is necessary. He obtains the basis of sovereignty from the divine right and like most Islamic philosophers, his theory of government is derived from the philosophy of prophecy. However, he believes that government has two aspects: a part that relates to the public guidance, displaying the path to salvation. This section is related to the divine right, examining the governor’s guardianship (Wilayah). Based on his theory, the governor needs to benefits from two characteristics of jurisprudence and justice. This aspect of government, relates to guardianship (Wilayah) and not attorney. Another part of the government which relates to the common affairs of the government, such as administrative or legislative ones, depends on the judgment and opinion of people, hence, this section has the aspect of the attorney. According to him, the government is responsible for the material and spiritual salvation of all members of society. however, these two material and spiritual dimensions are connected together. According to Ayatollah Mutahhari there is a mutual relationship between the duty of government and the theory of human nature (Fitrah). Therefore, the balanced development of talents is the final goal of utopia. For its achievement, the society needs freedom, though, freedom is a necessary instrument to reach the goal and it is not the final goal.