Exploring the Source of Legitimacy in Religious Governance with an Emphasis on Verses 246 and 247 of Surah Al-Baqarah and Allameh Tabataba’i’s Interpretive Perspective

Mahmoudpanahi, Seyed Mohammad Reza

doi:10.22034/rir.2026.522789.1111

Exploring the Source of Legitimacy in Religious Governance with an Emphasis on Verses 246 and 247 of Surah Al-Baqarah and Allameh Tabataba’i’s Interpretive Perspective

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Seyed Mohammad Reza Mahmoudpanahi

Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/rir.2026.522789.1111

Abstract

This research aims to analyze and explain the foundations of the legitimacy of religious governance based on Allameh Tabataba’i’s interpretation of verses 246 and 247 of Surah Al-Baqarah. These verses refer to the Quranic narrative regarding the people’s request to the Prophet of the Children of Israel to appoint a commander for war, and the divine appointment of Saul (Talut) to leadership; from this perspective, they contain a Quranic foundation for analyzing the concept of political legitimacy in a religious society. The research approach is qualitative, and its method is based on documentary and descriptive-analytical analysis. The primary sources of the research consist of Allameh Tabataba’i’s Tafsir al-Mizan and supplementary exegetical sources. The research findings indicate that in Allameh’s intellectual system, the legitimacy of governance cannot be justified solely based on public demand, tribal affiliation, or material criteria; rather, divine appointment and will are considered the focal point of legitimacy. At the same time, indicators such as possessing knowledge and executive power—as objective competencies—as well as popular support and acceptance, are considered conditions for its objective and social realization. This analysis also shows that from Allameh’s perspective, divine traditions in society—such as the principle of the struggle for survival, the selection of the fittest, and environmental adaptation—while effective on social order, find their meaning under the supervision of absolute divine will and wisdom. Accordingly, the ideal religious government is a Divine-Popular government, in which the link between political legitimacy and absolute divine guardianship (Wilayat) is established alongside the conscious choice of the people, and this connection guarantees the happiness, well-being, and prosperity of society.

Keywords

The Holy Quran

Allameh Tabataba&rsquo

Political Legitimacy

Religious Governance

Divine Guardianship

Popular Acceptance

Verses 246 and 247 of Surah Al-Baqarah

Subjects