Comparing the Concept of “Sharia” in the Quran with the Concept of “Law” in the Political Literature of the Constitutional Era
Document Type : مقاله پژوهشی
Author
Assistant Professor, Islamic Law, Faculty of Law, University of Judicial Sciences and Administrative Services, Tehran, Iran
10.22084/qss.2025.30530.1103
Abstract
In the Qajar era, the concept of “Ghanoon (Law)” emerged as a solution to Iran’s problems. There were different views on its relationship with Sharia. This term had not been used in this form before this period to refer to this new institution borrowed from Western political thought. “Ghanoon (Law)” was considered a new institution that had no relation to the Iranian political and philosophical tradition. This concept was based on three pillars: freedom in the sense of absolute
autonomy of human will, customary rationality, and socio-political order. These concepts were not used in this way in traditional Iranian literature. Given that the realm of law was social and political life and, in this respect, it was similar to Sharia, the question was raised among thinkers as to what the relationship between law and Sharia was. Some called for a complete separation of law from Sharia, while others emphasized the adaptation of laws to Sharia. Another group sought a balance between law and Sharia. In this article, by examining the treatises written about the necessity of the existence of law and its benefits for Iranian society during the Qajar period on the one hand and the content of the verses of the Quran about Sharia on the other, we try to compare the pillars of the concept of Sharia with the pillars of the concept of law in its modern meaning and determine the relationship between these two concepts. Considering the Sharia’s foundation on the two pillars of monotheism in Lordship and human servitude to God, and considering the three pillars of the concept of law in its new (modern) meaning, the possibility of combining modern legislation and religious legislation is possible only by reviewing the constituent pillars of modern law.
autonomy of human will, customary rationality, and socio-political order. These concepts were not used in this way in traditional Iranian literature. Given that the realm of law was social and political life and, in this respect, it was similar to Sharia, the question was raised among thinkers as to what the relationship between law and Sharia was. Some called for a complete separation of law from Sharia, while others emphasized the adaptation of laws to Sharia. Another group sought a balance between law and Sharia. In this article, by examining the treatises written about the necessity of the existence of law and its benefits for Iranian society during the Qajar period on the one hand and the content of the verses of the Quran about Sharia on the other, we try to compare the pillars of the concept of Sharia with the pillars of the concept of law in its modern meaning and determine the relationship between these two concepts. Considering the Sharia’s foundation on the two pillars of monotheism in Lordship and human servitude to God, and considering the three pillars of the concept of law in its new (modern) meaning, the possibility of combining modern legislation and religious legislation is possible only by reviewing the constituent pillars of modern law.
Keywords
1. Ibn Sina, Hosseyn in Abdolleh, (1376) Al ilahyat men Ketabashefa. Iran-Qom: Islamic Propagation Office
2. Ibn Manzoor, Mohammad ibn Mokkarram, (1414) LessanolArab, Beirut: Daar Saad,
3. Aristotle, (1398) Nicomachean Ethics, Translated by Hassan Lotfi. Iran-Tehran: Tarh Nou.
4. Plato, Plato's, (1978) works, translated by Mohammad Hassan Lotfi, Reza Kaviani, Tehran: Kharazmi Publishing
5. Ayazi Mohammad Ali. (1389). Criteria for rulings and methods of exploring them. Iran- Qom: Islamic Propagation Office
6. Akhundzadeh, Mirza Fathali, (1978) Persian Essays, Volume 2 of Philosophical Essays, edited by H. Seddiq, Tabriz: Savalan Books.
7. Akhundzadeh, Mirza Fathali, ( 1985) Letters of Mirza Fath Ali Akhundzadeh, Mard Emrooz Publications, first edition
8. Adamiyat, Fereydoun. (1976). The Ideology of the Constitutional Movement of Iran. Iran - Tehran: Payam Publications.
9. Amadi, Ali ibn Muhammad. (1402 AH). Al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam. Syria-Damascus: Islamic Office.
10. Behbahani, Muhammad Baqir ibn Muhammad Akmal. (1415 AH). Al-Fawa'id al-Ha'iriyyah. Iran-Qom: Islamic Thought Assembly.
11. Jawhari, Ismail bin Hammad (1376 AH). Al-Sahah - Beirut: Dar Al-Ilm Lil-Malayin. First Edition 12. Hilli, Hussein ibn Ali. (1432 AH). Principles of Jurisprudence. Iran - Qom: Library of Jurisprudence and Special Principles.
13. Ragheb Esfahani, Hossein bin Muhammad (1412 A.H.) Vocabulary of AlQur'an - Beirut: Dar al-Qalam, first edition
14. Rezvani, Homa, (1983) Bills of Sheikh Fazlullah, Iran-Tehran: Tarikh Iran Publication.
15. Zuhayli, Muhammad. (1427 AH). The Principles of Jurisprudence and Their Applications in the Four Schools of Thought. Syria - Damascus: Dar Al-Fikr.
16. Zargarinejad, Gholamhossein (2016), Qajar Political Letters, Iran-Tehran: Negarestan Andisheh
17. Sobhani Tabrizi Jafar (2011). Manshoor Javid. Iran – Qom: Imam Sadiq (AS) Institute.
18. Sadr, Muhammad Baqir (1442 AH), Our Economy, Iran-Qom: Dar Al-Bashir.
19. Detailed transcript of the discussions of the Parliament for the final review of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1985.
20. Tabatabai, Muhammad Husayn (1352 AH). Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran. Lebanon-Beirut: Al-Aalami Foundation for Publications.
21. Tarhi, Fakhruddin ibn Muhammad (1375 AH) Majma' al-Bahrain, Iran-Tehran: Mortazavi - Iran - Tehran, 1st edition.
22. Tusi, Khwaja Nasir al-Din (2012), Naseri Ethics, Iran-Tehran: Kharazmi Publications Joint Stock Company.
23. Ali Akbarian, Hassan Ali (2017) The Rule of Justice in Imamiyyah Jurisprudence. Iran- Qom: Research Institute of Islamic Sciences and Culture.
24. Fadel Miqdad Fadel Miqdad Miqdad bin Abdullah. (1361). Nadhd Al-Qavaid Al-fiqhiyah Ala Mazhab Al-imamiyah . Qom - Iran: Public Library of Hazrat Ayatollah Marashi Najafi.
25. Fanai, Abolghasem (2015). Ethics of Religion. Iran Tehran: Contemporary View.
26. Fairhi, Davud. (1400 AH). The Concept of Law in Contemporary Iran. Iran-Tehran: Nay Publishing House.
27. Fichte, Johann Gottlieb, 2019, The Foundation of Natural Law Based on the Principles of the Doctrine of Knowledge, translated by Seyyed Masoud Hosseini, Qoqnoos
28. Fichte, Johann Gottlieb, (2016) Foundation for Comprehensive Education, translated by Seyyed Masoud Hosseini, Iran-Tehran Hekmat Publications.
29. Firouzabadi, Muhammad bin Ya'qub (1415 A.H.), Al-Qamoos al-Mashay, Lebanon-Beirut, first edition.
30. Fayoumi, Ahmad bin Muhammad (1414 A.H.), al-Masbah al-Munir fi Gharib al-Sharh al-Kabeer by Al-Rafai, Iran-Qom, second edition.
31. Qurashi, Ali Akbar (1371 A.H.), Qur'an Dictionary - Iran - Tehran: Dar al-Kitab al-Islamiya, 6th edition.
32. Qutb, Sayyid (1408 AH). In the shadows of the Qur'an. Lebanon-Beirut: Dar al-Sharouq.
33. Katouzian, Nasser. (2009). Philosophy of Law. Iran-Tehran: Publishing Joint Stock Company.
34. Kulayni, Muhammad ibn Yaqub (1407 AH), Al-Kafi, Iran-Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyya, fourth edition.
35. Madani, Ali Khan bin Ahmad (1384 AH), Al-Taraz Al-Awwal, Iran- Mashhad: The Ahl al-Bayt Foundation for the Revival of Heritage, First Edition.
36. Mortada Zubaidi, Muhammad bin Muhammad (1414 AH), Taj Al-Arous, Dar Al-Fikr, Lebanon - Beirut: Chapter One.
37. Mostashar Al-Dawla, Mirza Yusuf Khan (Bita). With the help of Baqir Momeni. (Electronic version).
38. Mustafawi, Hassan (1430 A.H.), Investigation of the words of the Holy Qur'an, Dar al-Kutub Al-Elamiya - Publishing Center of Allameh Mustafawi's works, Beirut-Cairo-London, third edition.
39. Makarem Shirazi, Nasser (1992), Exemplary Tafsir, Iran – Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyya, 10th edition.
40. Nateq, Homa (1976), Law Journal, Mirza Malekum Khan, Iran-Tehran: Amir Kabir Publishing Institute.
41. Najafi Esfahani, Mehdi. (Bita). Al-Arak. Iran- Isfahan: Golbahar School Press.
42. Hobbes, Thomas (2016) Leviathan, translated by Hossein Bashirieh, Iran-Tehran: Publishing House, 10th edition.
43. Hayek, Friedrich von. (2013) Law, Legislation and Freedom. Mahshid Moeiri. Iran-Tehran: World of Economics Publications.
2. Ibn Manzoor, Mohammad ibn Mokkarram, (1414) LessanolArab, Beirut: Daar Saad,
3. Aristotle, (1398) Nicomachean Ethics, Translated by Hassan Lotfi. Iran-Tehran: Tarh Nou.
4. Plato, Plato's, (1978) works, translated by Mohammad Hassan Lotfi, Reza Kaviani, Tehran: Kharazmi Publishing
5. Ayazi Mohammad Ali. (1389). Criteria for rulings and methods of exploring them. Iran- Qom: Islamic Propagation Office
6. Akhundzadeh, Mirza Fathali, (1978) Persian Essays, Volume 2 of Philosophical Essays, edited by H. Seddiq, Tabriz: Savalan Books.
7. Akhundzadeh, Mirza Fathali, ( 1985) Letters of Mirza Fath Ali Akhundzadeh, Mard Emrooz Publications, first edition
8. Adamiyat, Fereydoun. (1976). The Ideology of the Constitutional Movement of Iran. Iran - Tehran: Payam Publications.
9. Amadi, Ali ibn Muhammad. (1402 AH). Al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam. Syria-Damascus: Islamic Office.
10. Behbahani, Muhammad Baqir ibn Muhammad Akmal. (1415 AH). Al-Fawa'id al-Ha'iriyyah. Iran-Qom: Islamic Thought Assembly.
11. Jawhari, Ismail bin Hammad (1376 AH). Al-Sahah - Beirut: Dar Al-Ilm Lil-Malayin. First Edition 12. Hilli, Hussein ibn Ali. (1432 AH). Principles of Jurisprudence. Iran - Qom: Library of Jurisprudence and Special Principles.
13. Ragheb Esfahani, Hossein bin Muhammad (1412 A.H.) Vocabulary of AlQur'an - Beirut: Dar al-Qalam, first edition
14. Rezvani, Homa, (1983) Bills of Sheikh Fazlullah, Iran-Tehran: Tarikh Iran Publication.
15. Zuhayli, Muhammad. (1427 AH). The Principles of Jurisprudence and Their Applications in the Four Schools of Thought. Syria - Damascus: Dar Al-Fikr.
16. Zargarinejad, Gholamhossein (2016), Qajar Political Letters, Iran-Tehran: Negarestan Andisheh
17. Sobhani Tabrizi Jafar (2011). Manshoor Javid. Iran – Qom: Imam Sadiq (AS) Institute.
18. Sadr, Muhammad Baqir (1442 AH), Our Economy, Iran-Qom: Dar Al-Bashir.
19. Detailed transcript of the discussions of the Parliament for the final review of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1985.
20. Tabatabai, Muhammad Husayn (1352 AH). Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran. Lebanon-Beirut: Al-Aalami Foundation for Publications.
21. Tarhi, Fakhruddin ibn Muhammad (1375 AH) Majma' al-Bahrain, Iran-Tehran: Mortazavi - Iran - Tehran, 1st edition.
22. Tusi, Khwaja Nasir al-Din (2012), Naseri Ethics, Iran-Tehran: Kharazmi Publications Joint Stock Company.
23. Ali Akbarian, Hassan Ali (2017) The Rule of Justice in Imamiyyah Jurisprudence. Iran- Qom: Research Institute of Islamic Sciences and Culture.
24. Fadel Miqdad Fadel Miqdad Miqdad bin Abdullah. (1361). Nadhd Al-Qavaid Al-fiqhiyah Ala Mazhab Al-imamiyah . Qom - Iran: Public Library of Hazrat Ayatollah Marashi Najafi.
25. Fanai, Abolghasem (2015). Ethics of Religion. Iran Tehran: Contemporary View.
26. Fairhi, Davud. (1400 AH). The Concept of Law in Contemporary Iran. Iran-Tehran: Nay Publishing House.
27. Fichte, Johann Gottlieb, 2019, The Foundation of Natural Law Based on the Principles of the Doctrine of Knowledge, translated by Seyyed Masoud Hosseini, Qoqnoos
28. Fichte, Johann Gottlieb, (2016) Foundation for Comprehensive Education, translated by Seyyed Masoud Hosseini, Iran-Tehran Hekmat Publications.
29. Firouzabadi, Muhammad bin Ya'qub (1415 A.H.), Al-Qamoos al-Mashay, Lebanon-Beirut, first edition.
30. Fayoumi, Ahmad bin Muhammad (1414 A.H.), al-Masbah al-Munir fi Gharib al-Sharh al-Kabeer by Al-Rafai, Iran-Qom, second edition.
31. Qurashi, Ali Akbar (1371 A.H.), Qur'an Dictionary - Iran - Tehran: Dar al-Kitab al-Islamiya, 6th edition.
32. Qutb, Sayyid (1408 AH). In the shadows of the Qur'an. Lebanon-Beirut: Dar al-Sharouq.
33. Katouzian, Nasser. (2009). Philosophy of Law. Iran-Tehran: Publishing Joint Stock Company.
34. Kulayni, Muhammad ibn Yaqub (1407 AH), Al-Kafi, Iran-Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyya, fourth edition.
35. Madani, Ali Khan bin Ahmad (1384 AH), Al-Taraz Al-Awwal, Iran- Mashhad: The Ahl al-Bayt Foundation for the Revival of Heritage, First Edition.
36. Mortada Zubaidi, Muhammad bin Muhammad (1414 AH), Taj Al-Arous, Dar Al-Fikr, Lebanon - Beirut: Chapter One.
37. Mostashar Al-Dawla, Mirza Yusuf Khan (Bita). With the help of Baqir Momeni. (Electronic version).
38. Mustafawi, Hassan (1430 A.H.), Investigation of the words of the Holy Qur'an, Dar al-Kutub Al-Elamiya - Publishing Center of Allameh Mustafawi's works, Beirut-Cairo-London, third edition.
39. Makarem Shirazi, Nasser (1992), Exemplary Tafsir, Iran – Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyya, 10th edition.
40. Nateq, Homa (1976), Law Journal, Mirza Malekum Khan, Iran-Tehran: Amir Kabir Publishing Institute.
41. Najafi Esfahani, Mehdi. (Bita). Al-Arak. Iran- Isfahan: Golbahar School Press.
42. Hobbes, Thomas (2016) Leviathan, translated by Hossein Bashirieh, Iran-Tehran: Publishing House, 10th edition.
43. Hayek, Friedrich von. (2013) Law, Legislation and Freedom. Mahshid Moeiri. Iran-Tehran: World of Economics Publications.
)
Volume 3, Issue 2
March 2025Pages 320-353
- Receive Date: 13 December 2024
- Revise Date: 05 February 2026
- Accept Date: 16 March 2025