Analysis of Barriers and Challenges in the Interaction Between Imami Jurisprudence and Positive Law in Iran's Legal System

Articles in Press

Document Type : Scientific Research

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Jurisprudence and the Principles of Islamic Law, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and Islamic Law, Bozorgmehr University of Qaenat, Qaen, Iran.

Abstract

Although Article 4 of the Constitution mandates that all laws must comply with Islamic principles, the present study argues that despite the close connection between these two systems (Imami jurisprudence and positive law), their practical interaction has faced obstacles and challenges within the country's legal framework. This research employs a descriptive-analytical method and, by drawing on jurisprudential, legal, and legislative sources, identifies and analyzes five major challenges. The first challenge lies in the differing logics of legislation: while jurisprudence relies on religious texts and otherworldly objectives, modern law is founded on rational customs. The second challenge stems from the dominance of individual-oriented jurisprudence over institutional jurisprudence, which has rendered traditional jurisprudence inadequate for designing social systems. The third issue concerns the incongruity in legitimacy criteria—jurisprudence bases its legitimacy on jurists' interpretations of sacred sources (primarily the Quran and Sunnah), whereas modern law grounds its legitimacy in collective will. The fourth challenge pertains to implementation difficulties, as varying interpretations in referencing jurisprudence may lead to conflicting judicial rulings, thereby reducing the efficiency of the legal system. Finally, the conflict between certain jurisprudential rulings and international human rights standards and treaties may create complications in the interaction between jurisprudence and law. The findings of this study suggest that mitigating these challenges requires the development of dynamic and institutional jurisprudence, flexibility in deriving legal rulings, and the integration of rationality with jurisprudential foundations.

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Main Subjects

Civil Law Knowledge

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 08 February 2026

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