faqih

And the divine concept of sovereignty, which is derived from God's will through the medium of Shi'i institutions of an Imamate, is bestowed on the existing "faqih" as the rightful ruler of the Shiite community, a perception that forms the foundation of the doctrine of the "Velayat i Faqih."

Ramin Jahanbegloo: Iran's Crisis of Legitimacy 2009

That call constitutes a direct repudiation of the doctrine of velayat-e faqih rule of the jurisprudent, which makes Iran's clerical elite the ultimate arbiters of politics and justice.

A Green Manifesto for Iran Ilan Berman 2011

When post-election protests shook the very foundations of Iran's theocracy in 2009, Khamenei relied upon close confidant and fellow cleric Hojatoleslam Ali Saidi Shahroudi to convince the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC and Basij to continue supporting the velayat-e faqih, or government of Muslim jurists.

Supreme Leader's Inner Circle Holds Key To Iran's Nuclear Standoff Jamsheed K. Choksy 2011

Bahrain's most popular Shi'a cleric is Sheikh Isa Qassim, who has occasionally endorsed the Iranian regime's doctrine of velayat-e faqih, and as a result is a lightning rod for loud Sunni criticism, and quieter criticism from some more orthodox Shi'a clerics.

Sharmine Narwani: Rats, Roaches and Shiites Sharmine Narwani 2011

Iran's own constitution treats Islamist principles as the only source of law, and makes Iran's faqihs (or jurist-consults) the interpreters of Iranian jurisprudence to the exclusion of all others, subject only to the Supreme Leader (or velayat-e faqih).

Daniel Wagner: Libya's Constitutional Moment Daniel Wagner 2011

Iran's constitution gives the position vali faqih , or Supreme Leader, power and authority akin to being God's representative on earth.

Letter Writers Break Iranian Taboo Farnaz Fassihi 2012

If he and likeminded politicians could exhibit that capacity or willpower, which is contingent upon rejecting the velayat-e faqih [absolute clerical rule], then, as Mr. Rajavi emphasized, other political forces, including the MEK, should accept their hegemony while maintaining their own independent viewpoints.

Ali Safavi: Iran's Uprising Prospects After February 11: Escalation or Decline? 2010

This principled position starkly contrasted with that of the organization's main rival, the clerical regime's founder, Khomeini, who sought to institutionalize his theocratic idea of absolute clerical rule (velayat-e faqih) after hijacking the leadership of the revolution.

Ali Safavi: Reality Check: Understanding the Mujahedin-e Khalq 2010

In either case, the institution that he represents velayat-e faqih - will be permanently weakened.

What is next for Iran? 2010

If he and likeminded politicians could exhibit that capacity or willpower, which is contingent upon rejecting the velayat-e faqih [absolute clerical rule], then, as Mr. Rajavi emphasized, other political forces, including the MEK, should accept their hegemony while maintaining their own independent viewpoints.

Iran's Uprising Prospects After February 11: Escalation or Decline? 2010