The Quran and Human Experience in Governance

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Associate Professor, Research Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of the Quran, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

10.22081/jips.2025.72390.1084

Abstract

The governance in the modern state and the interaction between the state and society are among the most complex issues of governance today in the realm of political thought. Iranian society is a religious-based society; therefore, in order to conceptualize an ideal governance, it is essential to refer to the most important epistemological and practical source of Muslims. Accordingly, the central concern of this research is whether and to what extent human experience can be utilized to improve and enhance governance, from the perspective of the Quran. To design an ideal political governance that is comprehensive and developmental, according to the needs of Iranian society, it is necessary to present the fundamental question of the research before the Quran: What is the Quranic logic regarding the necessity of using human experience in governance? Reflection on the Quran reveals that, in addition to agreeing and aligning with human experiences, the Quran suggests the necessity of using lived human experiences in governance. The Quran presents human experiences in the form of thought-provoking stories and even repeats some of these experiences. By employing the method of thematic interpretation, this research confirms the following findings in support of the necessity of using human experiences: the need to study the transformations of human social life in the Quran; the affirmation of the nature of some institutions and elements, such as trade and transactions, marriage and divorce, jihad and peace, under the title of Islam's endorsed laws (aḥkām imḍāʾī); the method of selecting rulers in a free environment through "bay’a" (pledge of allegiance), which is a kind of contract between the state and the people; and how decision-making and policy formulation is based on "shūrā" (consultation), as well as the governance and management of society based on scientific knowledge, with a focus on justice and freedom in organizing the common good for all members of society.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Islamic Political Studies
Volume 7, Issue 1
January 2025
Pages 7-28

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