"Maintaining the System" in the Discourse of Political and Jurisprudential Islam with an Emphasis on the Thought of Imam Khomeini (RA)

This article examines the concept of “maintaining the system” within Islamic political and jurisprudential discourse. Rooted in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Shiite Imams (AS), this principle has long been regarded as essential to societal stability in Islamic jurisprudence. From Islam’s inception, Muslim leaders and scholars have prohibited actions disrupting societal order while mandating measures to preserve it. Over time, this ruling evolved into a widely accepted juristic principle. Though not among Islam’s foundational doctrines, the imperative to maintain social order derives its authority from rational necessity—a universal imperative recognized across human societies since antiquity. Imam Khomeini (RA) notably elevated this principle, positioning the preservation of the Islamic system as a primary rule that supersedes other religious injunctions. According to his interpretation, when the interests of the Islamic system conflict with other religious obligations—even absent secondary mitigating circumstances—the system’s preservation takes precedence. Temporary suspension of other rulings becomes obligatory under such conditions. This prioritization reflects the concept of “governmental rulings” (al-ahkām al-siyāsiyya), where jurists issue decrees based on the overarching interests (maslahah) of Islamic society. Such rulings emphasize collective welfare—the protection of Islam and Muslims—over individual or secondary concerns. Thus, maintaining the system operates not merely as a pragmatic consideration but as a theological-juridical imperative, binding on both rulers and communities. The principle underscores the dynamic interplay between immutable religious ideals and the contextual demands of governance, illustrating how Islamic jurisprudence navigates stability amidst evolving societal challenges.

کلیدواژه ها:

system ، preservation of the system ، Political Islam ، Jurisprudence ، Discourse Analysis