An Analysis of the Role of the People in the Realization of Religious Authority with Emphasis on the Qur'anic Thoughts of Ayatollah Khamenei

The aim of the present study is to analyze the role of the people in the realization of religious authority (Wilayat-e Dini) with an emphasis on the Qur'anic thought of Ayatollah Khamenei. In the philosophy of any political system, the legitimacy of the ruling government—and consequently, the role and status of the people—holds critical importance. Given that in the Islamic political system sovereignty belongs to God, explaining the role and position of the people in this process becomes a challenging issue. This study, using a descriptive-analytical method, seeks to examine the status of the people within the system of religious authority, focusing on His Eminence’s Qur'anic perspectives. The findings of the study indicate that the fundamental component in explaining the nature of religious democracy in Ayatollah Khamenei’s thought is structured around the concept of Wilayah (religious guardianship). Based on Qur'anic principles such as equality, vicegerency and divine dignity of human beings, consultation (shura), allegiance (bay‘ah), justice, freedom, and sovereignty over one's destiny, the legitimacy of Islamic governance is both divine and people-based. The people form the foundation of legitimizing the religious authority system and play a vital role in the formation and realization of the system of Wilayah during the occultation era. This includes selecting the supreme leader (Wali al-Amr) and establishing and sustaining the system. Ultimately, religious democracy is the cornerstone of the realization of the system of Wilayah, and without the presence of the people, the true establishment of a religious authority system would not be possible.