Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist (Persian: ولایت فقیه‎‎, Vilayat-e Faqih; Arabic: ولاية الفقيه‎‎, Wilayat al-Faqih) is a type of theocracy in Shia Islam wherein senior Islamic jurists exercise temporal authority.

Quotes

• The Rule of the Jurisprudent" – will not gain widespread popularity, because it does not have such popularity in its country of origin....Even in Iran. I've lived in Iran.
  • Lebanese Shiite Mufti Ali Al-Amin Slams the Iranian Principle of "The Rule of the Jurisprudent" and Says Lebanese Should Not Obey Iranian Instruction to Violate Lebanese Law April 2007

• O’ ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those vested with authority from among you.
  • Qur'an 4:59, Those "vested with authority from among you" is interpreted by proponents of Velayat al-faqih to mean experts in Islamic laws--the Islamic clergy--who should apply the divine decrees.

• Because you are over them and your responsible Commander (Imam) is over you, while Allah is over him who has appointed you.
  • Nahj al-Balaghah, Letter 53, paragraph 4

External links

• Ayatollah Jawadi Amuli. A profile of the foundation/bases of the Trusteeship (Wilayat al-faqih). Retrieved on 2007-08-12.
• The Rule of the Clergy