Implications of the Thought of Martyr Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr for Participatory Governance: With an Emphasis on the Theory of Human Vicegerency

Document Type : Article

Authors

1 Strategic Management, University of Tehran

2 Master's student, Department of Islamic Studies and Public Administration,Imam Sadiq University

3 Master's student in Islamic Studies and Public Administration, Department of Governance, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Management, Imam Sadiq University (AS), Tehran, Iran.

10.30497/rmg.2025.77790

Abstract

This paper aims to elucidate the implications of the thought of Martyr Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr for participatory governance, with a particular focus on his theory of collective human vicegerency. According to this theory, the stewardship of worldly affairs has been entrusted by God to the human community as a divine trust. Hence, maximum public participation in societal administration is regarded not merely as a right, but as a religious obligation.
The research methodology is based on interpretive analysis of al-Sadr's works, specifically employing a thematic approach to identify key concepts such as decentralization of authority, social justice, and collective responsibility. The findings indicate that, in al-Sadr’s thought, popular governance is a structural process grounded in two main pillars: the liberation of human potential and the guarantee of continuous movement toward divine values.
The theory of collective vicegerency attributes political legitimacy to the fulfillment of divine trusteeship and the active participation of the people through mechanisms such as consultative councils (Shora), public oversight, and the integration of religious jurisprudence with collective rationality. This model stands in contrast to Western democracies, where legitimacy is derived solely from the will of the majority.
The most significant challenges to participatory governance include economic inequality, individual moral weaknesses, and the complexity of modern institutional systems. Proposed strategies include the cultivation of responsible individuals, institutionalization of accountability, development of citizen-centered technologies, dismantling of monopolies, and mobilization of individual interests within a framework of collective justice.
In conclusion, participatory governance in this framework not only fosters social justice, but also serves as a manifestation of collective vicegerency, providing a path toward proximity to absolute divine values.

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 July 2025

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