Religious Democracy in the Sunni and Imāmī Juridical Views

Religious democracy, as a system that combines the principles of democracy with religious foundations, holds particular significance in Islamic jurisprudence. This study examines the juridical views of the Sunni and Imāmī (Shia) Schools regarding religious democracy, with the central question being how each of these two schools interprets and implements this concept. The importance of this research lies in understanding the interaction between religion and politics and its impact on governance and public participation in Islamic societies. This study aims to analyze and compare the juridical opinions of the Sunni and Imāmī schools concerning religious democracy and to identify the similarities and differences in their respective principles and foundations. The research method is descriptive-analytical and is conducted through a review of jurisprudential sources from both schools. The findings indicate that principles such as justice and consultation are emphasized in both traditions; however, there are significant differences in how these principles are interpreted and implemented. The Sunni school places greater emphasis on consultation and consensus, whereas the Imāmī School emphasizes the role of the Imam and religious leadership. Consequently, religious democracy in Sunni and Imāmī jurisprudence has fundamental differences, yet both schools, in their own ways, acknowledge the role of the people in governance. This can contribute to a better understanding of religious democracy in Islamic societies.