Explaining Imam al-Sajjad's Approach to
Confronting an Unjust Ruler Based on
the Treatise of Right

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Hasaninasab Morteza

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Journal Paper

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Journal: Governance in the Qur'an and Sunnah Year:2025 | Volume:3 | Issue:1 Page(s): 53-70

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Information Journal Paper

Title

Explaining Imam al-Sajjad's Approach to Confronting an Unjust Ruler Based on the Treatise of Right

Author(s)

Hasaninasab Morteza | Issue Writer Certificate

Keywords

Imam al-Sajjad

Risalat al-Huquq

Political thought

cooperation with the ruler

Quentin Skinner

Abstract

In the Treatise of Rights by Imam al-Sajjad (peace be upon him), one of the central and prominent themes is the right of the ruler and their duties within the social system. This valuable document not only outlines the Imam’s perspectives on the rights and responsibilities of rulers but also demonstrates that Imam al-Sajjad adopted a distinct approach in confronting unjust rulers compared to his predecessors, particularly Imam al-Husayn (peace be upon him). While Imam al-Husayn emphasized the principle of uprising and struggle against oppression to reform society, Imam al-Sajjad, instead of focusing on direct resistance or military uprising, resorted to a concept known as tamāḥuk-a policy of forbearance and gradual reform. This fundamental difference in approach indicates that, given the specific circumstances of his time, Imam al-Sajjad chose a strategic and adaptive approach to preserve Islam and the Shia identity. The primary objective of this article is to analyze the causes and grounds underlying the shift in Imam al-Sajjad's approach to dealing with an unjust ruler, compared to Imam al-Husayn and other preceding Imams. The central question is: What social, political, and cultural factors led Imam al-Sajjad to adopt a policy of forbearance and caution instead of direct uprising? Additionally, what differences in cultural contexts and temporal conditions contributed to the formation of this approach? The research methodology of this study is based on analyzing the text of Imam al-Sajjad’s Risalat al-Huquq (Treatise of Rights), utilizing a hermeneutic approach and Skinner’s intentionalist theory. This method enables a deep interpretation of the social, political, and historical context of Imam al-Sajjad’s era, facilitating an understanding of the hidden meanings and intellectual foundations of the text. The study draws on library resources, historical texts, jurisprudential sources, and hadith literature to provide a multidimensional analysis of the intellectual, social, and political contexts underlying the Imam’s approaches. Based on the research findings, factors such as the decline of Islamic values, social pressures, the challenging circumstances faced by Imam al-Sajjad (peace be upon him) and the Shia community, various uprisings, and the weakening of Shia organizational structures prompted Imam al-Sajjad to adopt a gradual or piecemeal strategy. This approach aimed to ensure the survival of Islam and Shia identity in the face of unjust rulers. Notably, the Shia population had significantly changed compared to the era of Imam al-Husayn (peace be upon him), and conditions for the Shia had become exceedingly difficult. The primary conclusion is that Imam al-Sajjad’s perspective on dealing with unjust rulers shifted from emphasizing military resistance to a strategy rooted in forbearance, gradual reform, and the progressive strengthening of Islam and the Shia community. This approach, particularly evident in the text of Risalat al-Huquq and within the social context of that era, demonstrates that Imam al-Sajjad, as a symbol of patience, wisdom, and prudence, sought to replace armed uprisings with soft and cultural tools. The final conclusion indicates that Imam al-Sajjad’s shift in approach was not a disregard for the right to resist but rather a deliberate and strategic effort to preserve the survival of the Shia community and the continuity of Islam. This approach serves as a model for understanding and analyzing the comparative strategies of Imams and religious leaders in confronting unjust and authoritarian rulers. The present study provides an opportunity to reflect on soft and gradual policies in the realm of religion and power, particularly in critical and complex circumstances, and can play a significant role in elucidating the approaches found in Imam al-Sajjad’s conduct.

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