Fundamentals of Macro-Jurisprudence in the Intellectual System of the Supreme Leader: Analysis of Ayatollah Khamenei's Purposeful Approach to Governance

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Sayyed Mortaza Mirzadeh Ahari 1
Najaf Lakzayi 2
Muhammad Ali Ranjbar 3
1 PhD in Public Policy, Baqir Al-Ulum University, Qom, Iran
2 Professor of Political Science, Baqir Al-Uloom University, Qom, Iran
3 Assistant Professor of Political Science, Baqir Al-Uloom University, Qom, Iran
10.22084/rjir.2026.31863.3988
Abstract
Background and Objective: After the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Shiite jurisprudence has faced an unprecedented paradigm shift from “individual jurisprudence” to “governmental jurisprudence.” This shift requires an ijtihad methodology that elevates the unit of analysis from the individual to macrostructures and bases inference on the supreme goals of the Sharia (makkased maqasid). However, the traditional intellectual stream, by denying any objective perspective, has led jurisprudence to become rigid in appearance and ineffective in governance. This research proves that governmental ijtihad in Ayatollah Khamenei’s intellectual system is deeply based on the methodology of “makkased maqasid maqasid.”

Methodology: This qualitative research analyzes the Supreme Leader’s key statements in the areas of government (economy, justice, and legislation) using a historical-jurisprudential hermeneutic strategy.

Findings: The findings of this study conclusively show that their approach is formulated in three key pillars of macro-jurisprudence: 1. Redefining macro-goals of government (such as justice, progress, increasing national wealth) as a criterion for the validity of a ruling. 2. Strictly separating “fixed goals” from “variable structure” (post-structuralism of jurisprudence). 3. Using macro-goals as a “monitoring filter” to resolve the conflict between apparent rulings and the ends of the system.

Conclusion: By reviving the original capacity of goals in Shiite jurisprudence, this ijtihad paradigm not only transforms jurisprudence into an efficient and dynamic tool of governance, but also constitutes a decisive response to retrogression and stagnation in the appearances of texts.
Keywords
Macro-Figh
Maqasid ijtihad
governmental jurisprudence
Ayatollah Khamenei
Velayat-e-Faqih
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