International Journal of Imam Reza (as) and modern sciences

International Journal of Imam Reza (as) and modern sciences

Thematic Analysis of the Political-Social Functions of the Imam in the Hadiths of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
mohammad emami 1
Gholamreza behroozi lak 2
1 Ph.D. Student in Political Science, Baqir al-Olum University, Qom, Iran. (Corresponding Author)
2 Professor, Department of Political Studies, Baqir al-Olum University, Qom, Iran.
10.22034/ijs.2025.427000.1048
Abstract
This research aims to explain the position of the institution of Imamate in the social and political spheres by analyzing the socio-political functions of the Imam within the discourse of Imam Reza (peace be upon him). The underlying assumption of this study is that the Imam, as the executor of divine will, not only did not abandon his role in the public sphere but actively and proactively shouldered the responsibility of guiding and governing society. The central question is to identify and extract these functions from the narrative texts left by Imam Reza (peace be upon him), thereby providing a theoretical model for the Imam’s agency in the world and revealing the capacities of this divine institution to address the needs of human societies. The research methodology is qualitative and employs “thematic analysis.” This method, focusing on narrative texts, extracts, organizes, and analyzes basic, organizing, and global themes, and by drawing a coherent network of inter-thematic connections, leads to the structuring of a model. The research findings, based on the thematic analysis of the hadiths of Imam Reza)peace be upon him,(identify four fundamental functions of the Imam in the socio-political arena: First, the function of invitation and spirituality-creation, which is tasked with explaining and promoting religious foundations. Second, the executive-legislative function, based on which the Imam is the executor and establisher of the Shari’ah within society. Third, the management and leadership function, which establishes the Imam as the central axis for administering and managing the social order. And fourth, the function of providing order and security, which guarantees the survival and stability of society under religious governance. Collectively, these four functions outline a coherent framework of the Imam’s key roles, which can provide a suitable theoretical basis for redefining religious governance in contemporary Islamic societies.
Keywords
Razavi Hadiths
Functions of the Imam
Islamic Society
Thematic Analysis
Political Conduct
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 24 November 2024
  • Revise Date 12 January 2025
  • Accept Date 18 January 2025
  • First Publish Date 19 February 2025
  • Publish Date 19 February 2025