Analysis of Criteria for Political Authority and Religious Leadership in Divine Religions (Islam and Christianity)

Abstract

Human worldly happiness is contingent upon an ideal state based on efficient and comprehensive laws, especially within legal and political systems. However, human reason and management alone cannot draft such laws, as this requires a mastery over all human existential needs, and human intellect is incapable of flawlessly monitoring this knowledge. The upcoming research, using a documentary-analytical method, demonstrates that in Islam, genuine and inherent sovereignty belongs to God, and the legitimacy of any command is based on His will. This permission extends to prophets, successors, and religious scholars. From the perspective of Christianity, the Kingdom of God is closely linked to the earthly kingdom; therefore, the governance of Jesus Christ (PBUH) extends beyond souls to also cover bodies. Despite this, He did not find much success in achieving His divine-political goals, and on the other hand, the overall performance of the Church during the Middle Ages crumbled with the Renaissance, and no opportunity for the political governance of religious scholars emerged in the Christian world. However, in the religion of Islam, the necessity of providential guidance, religious leadership, and the revival and protection of the prophetic tradition necessitates this. From the Shiite perspective, the prime examples of those in authority are the Twelve Infallible Imams (PBUH), and the governance of religious scholars, with specified characteristics and by public appointment, extends throughout the governance of the Infallibles (PBUH). In this regard, the theory of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist is notable, which considers the extent of governance in the Islamic government.