Human and Citizens' Rights in the Mahdavi Government: A Juridical and Legal Analysis of Foundations, Types of Rights, Challenges, and Guarantees within the Framework of Islamic Constitutional Law

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty of World and Civilization Studies, Qo.C., Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran

2 Department of Law, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Law, Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, Qom, Iran

10.22081/jips.2026.79738

Abstract

The present research is conducted with the aim of formulating a comprehensive
and systematic framework for analyzing "Human and Citizens' Rights in the Mahdawi
or Mahdist Government," employing a mixed methodology (Ijtihadi-inferential and analytical-critical comparison). The central question is: How do the juridical-legal foundations, types, challenges, and guarantee mechanisms of these rights in the government of Imam Mahdi create a distinct and alternative model against the dominant paradigm of secular human rights? The research findings indicate that rights in this government are established under the "Theory of Shiite Imamate" and based on the ontological foundations of "Inherent Human Dignity" (al-Isra: 70) and "Ontological-Legislative Justice." This legal system, centered on "Simultaneous Right-Duty," offers
an integrated constellation of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Its realization is guaranteed not through secular institutions, but via innovative mechanisms such as "Bayʿa (Allegiance) as a Covenant of Responsible and Continuous Governance," "Structured Public Oversight Based on the Obligation of Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong," the "System of Just Distribution of Anfāl (public wealth) and
Natural Resources," and "Infallible Adjudication." While critiquing the theoretical
and methodological gaps in previous studies, this research argues that the Mahdavi Government, as the supreme objective manifestation of the "Rule of Sharia Law," is not merely an ideal model but a benchmark and an inspiring source for reforming existing legal systems (with a case study of the Constitutional Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran). Furthermore, it possesses the capacity to establish an independent discourse in the field of "Islamic Constitutional Law."

Keywords

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Islamic Political Studies
Volume 8, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 221-244

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