THE MEANING OF WILAYAH AT-TASHRI'IYYAH

[Taqavi]

What is the meaning of Wilayah at-Tashri’iyyah?

 

guardianship over the enactment of laws, legislation in religious matters, financial, economic, political, judicial, criminal, social and personal conditions, education and training and other matters is called Wilayah at-Tashri’iyyah. [1]

At first, we should know that, as the sole creator of the universe, the ultimate authority in shari’ah is for none other than Allah (swt). No one has any right or legitimacy to enact and implement their own made-up rules and force others to follow them. “It is only Allah Who decides. He has commanded that you worship none but Him…”[2]

 However, Allah (swt) has exclusively granted authority to Rasulullah (s) and his progeny (as) on matters related to shari’ah. Since they have the needed divine knowledge and infallibility for decision-making in this regard. They have the authority in religious affairs and they are permitted, by Allah(swt), to ratify the shari’ah rulings, comprehensively and in all aspects, for the people.

This matter is mentioned in the verses of the Qur'an: "It is not for any believer man or woman to have the choice in the affair when a matter is decreed by Allah and His Prophet...."[3] or “Only Allah is your wali (guardian) and His Apostle and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow”[4] or “O believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.”[5] Imam Baqir (as) says in the interpretation of this verse: We are the only ones who are the »'uwli al'amr«, because all the believers have been ordered to obey us (Ahl al-Bayt) until the Day of Resurrection.[6]

Therefore their sayings (Hadith), actions, and even their non-verbal confirmation of others’ actions (Taqrir) are important and carry legal weight. “Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it. And whatever he forbids you from, leave it”.[7]

 

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[1] . Wilayah at-takwiniyyah and Wilayah at-tashri’iyyah /Lotfollah Safi Golpayegani/p.110

[2] . Yusuf: 40, إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ""

^[3] .Al-Ahzab: 36, " "وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ...

^[4] .Al-Ma’idah: 55, إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ" وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ"

^[5] . Al-Nisa: 59, " "يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ

^[6] . (Usul Kafi/Kulaini/vol. 1/p. 276) "....«يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ» إِيَّانَا عَنَى خَاصَّةً- أَمَرَ جَمِيعَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ بِطَاعَتِنَا....."

 

^[7]. Al-Hashr: 7, ""وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا