Part four of Abbas Amanat’s Lecture Series on the Intertwined Dualities and the Challenges of Modernity in Iran. Historian Abbas Amanat traces the intricate evolution of the relationship between religion (din) and governance (dolat) in Iran. Through a nuanced exploration of key historical turning points, Amanat reveals how these two forces have shaped Iranian society, often as partners, rivals, or oppositional entities. His analysis highlights their enduring impact, from the Sasanian Empire to the modern Islamic Republic.

The Sasanian Legacy: The Concept of Twin Sisters

The Iranian conceptualization of din and dolat as inseparable forces dates back to ancient times. This duality, crucial to societal stability, finds early articulation in the sixth-century “Letter of Tansar,” which refers to din and dolat as “twin sisters,” mutually dependent for survival.

Amanat emphasizes the role of Kartir, a powerful third-century Sasanian priest, in solidifying this relationship. Inscriptions from Kartir’s era reveal how he elevated religious authority, transforming dad (divine justice, a royal prerogative) into raj (religious law the monarch was obliged to follow). This shift not only linked governance to religion but also subtly rebalanced power, setting a precedent for future struggles between the two spheres.

Shia Islam and the Notion of the Just Ruler

The advent of Shia Islam introduced a dramatic theological shift in the din–dolat dynamic. Shia doctrine, particularly its emphasis on the Imamate, cast earthly rulers as inherently unjust in the absence of the Hidden Imam, deferring the ideal of justice to his eventual return.

This theological tension, however, did not prevent pragmatic alliances. Shia scholars often accommodated existing rulers, leveraging their positions to benefit the Shia community while maintaining a cautious distance from full endorsement of state authority. This dual approach ensured the survival of Shia Islam while setting the stage for future tensions.

The Safavid Era: The Rise of a Shia Theocracy

The rise of the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century marked a turning point, as din and dolat merged into a Shia theocracy. The Safavids not only declared Shia Islam the state religion but also enforced its adoption through systemic pressure and coercion.

This period witnessed the influx of Shia jurists from regions such as Jabal Amel in Syria, who played a pivotal role in establishing a unified Shia legal system. Supported by the Safavid state, these scholars laid the groundwork for institutionalized Shia governance, fundamentally reshaping Iranian society.

The Consolidation of Shia Identity

Despite the Safavid efforts, Amanat argues that a truly cohesive Shia identity did not emerge until the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He credits figures such as Mulla Sadra and Shaykh Baha’i for this transformation.

Shaykh Baha’i’s efforts to write legal texts in Persian rather than Arabic made Shia jurisprudence accessible to a broader audience. Coupled with a deliberate attempt to ritualize daily life, this approach embedded Shia practices deeply into Iranian society, reinforcing the mutual legitimacy of religious and political authority.

Post-Safavid Transformations

The collapse of the Safavid dynasty in the 18th century ushered in a period of instability that profoundly affected the ulama (Shia clergy). With the loss of state patronage, the clergy embraced the Usuli school of thought, which emphasized the right of jurists to interpret religious law in the absence of the Hidden Imam.

This period of autonomy allowed the ulama to establish independent courts and educational systems. However, Amanat critiques this development as one of intellectual stagnation, with an emphasis on preservation rather than innovation. As Iran modernized during the Constitutional Revolution and the Pahlavi period, the ulama struggled to adapt to secular and modernist forces.

The Rise of Revolutionary Shiism

The ulama turned toward a politicized, revolutionary form of Shiism in response to marginalization and modernization. Figures like Ayatollah Khomeini drew inspiration from diverse sources, including Sunni Salafism, leftist ideologies, and Third World revolutionary movements. This fusion culminated in the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which established the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Amanat argues that revolutionary Shiism fundamentally altered the balance between din and dolat, placing religious leaders at the helm of state power. However, this shift came at a cost: the clergy, lacking a robust framework for modern governance, struggled to address the complexities of a rapidly evolving society.

Conclusion

Amanat concludes that the Islamic Revolution, despite its dramatic transformation of Iranian governance, has left unresolved the underlying intellectual and legal challenges of Shia jurisprudence. While religion triumphed over the state, it has yet to fulfill its promise of building a just and modern society.

Through his lecture series, Amanat offers a profound exploration of the historical interplay between din and dolat, providing valuable insights into Iran’s past and its ongoing quest to reconcile religious authority with the demands of modern governance.

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In line with the vision of the Iran 1400 Project, which aims to explore the evolution of ideas and institutions in Iran over the past century to foster informed discussions about its future, we are pleased to share a summary of Abbas Amanat’s lecture series titled “Intertwined Dualities and the Challenge of Modernity in Iran.” This series was produced by Aasoo, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Tasselmi Foundation. Aasoo promotes dialogue and tolerance through research, publications, and multimedia initiatives, fostering understanding and inclusion within Iranian society. We extend our gratitude to our friends at Aasoo for facilitating this enlightening lecture series, which addresses the complex challenges of modernity in Iran.

The lectures are conducted in Farsi, and the Iran 1400 Project provides a summary and key takeaways of each lecture in English to engage a broader audience.

• Overview of Abbas Amanat’s Lecture Series on “Intertwined Dualities and the Challenge of Modernity in Iran”
• Part 1: The Evolution of Bum and Bar in Iran
• Part 2: The Evolution of “Iran” and “Aniran” in Iranian Identity
• Part 3: The Evolution of Dargah and Divan