درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

La question du rôle et de la position du peuple dans la fondation du pouvoir politique ainsi que dans les modalités de gouvernance constitue un enjeu fondamental ayant suscité, de l’Antiquité à nos jours, de nombreuses controverses. L'importance de cette problématique se trouve renforcée par le fait que, dans les discours politiques contemporains, la démocratie et le principe du suffrage majoritaire sont largement reconnus comme les principaux critères de légitimité d’un régime politique. Dans ce contexte, la conceptualisation d’un modèle fondé sur la démocratie religieuse s’impose comme une alternative innovante et performante, remettant en question les formes traditionnelles de gouvernance, qu'elles soient autocratiques, héréditaires ou démocratiques. La démocratie religieuse repose sur deux piliers essentiels : la légitimité d'origine divine et la participation populaire. Ce modèle trouve son expression la plus aboutie dans la société idéale attendue selon l’eschatologie mahdiste, caractérisée notamment par l’unité culturelle fondée sur la religion, l’adhésion collective, l’instauration de la justice et la promotion de la rationalité publique. En mobilisant une méthodologie analytique et descriptive, cet article s’attache à analyser la place du peuple dans l’architecture politique de la démocratie religieuse et, à la lumière des traits culturels et civilisationnels de la société idéale mahdiste, à identifier les principaux indicateurs d’une gouvernance vertueuse.

The “power distance,” as a key index for analyzing rulers’ political conduct and the extent to which inequality in power distribution is accepted, serves as an effective tool for assessing the status of justice in historical societies. Using a descriptive–analytical method, this study examines the manifestation of this concept in the conduct of Imam al-Rida (PBUH) during his period as crown prince ( Wilayat alʿahd ). The findings indicate that, despite his exceptional political position, the Imam offered a novel model of low-distance governance, which explicitly contrasts with the prevailing Abbasid discourse. The study identifies five main components in the Radawi political practice: (1) criticism of closed, circle-based relationships and emphasis on meritocracy in appointments; (2) opposition to authoritarianism and its symbols, such as displays of grandeur; (3) a responsible attitude toward public wealth; (4) accessibility to the general populace; and (5) respect for human dignity regardless of social distinctions. Collectively, these indicators reflect the Imam’s approach to justice in its distributive, procedural, and interactional dimensions. Significantly, by conditionally accepting the position of crown prince, the Imam deliberately refrained from exploiting the privileges of power, thereby practically demonstrating that reducing power distance is a prerequisite for realizing comprehensive justice. This model is not only unique in historical Islamic studies but can also serve as an applicable paradigm for contemporary governance in Islamic societies. From a methodological standpoint, the present work is innovative in being the first systematic study of power distance during Imam al-Rida’s tenure as crown prince.

Today, one important method for overcoming interfaith conflicts is the analysis of historical documents, which can provide a model or a way to prevent future conflicts. This article aims to focus on two significant historical documents that hold promise for improvement and progress among the followers of two major Abrahamic religions: Islam and Christianity. These two historical documents are "The Prophet Muhammad's Letter to the Christians of Saint Catherine's Monastery in North Egypt" and the declaration of the Second Vatican Council, also known as Nostra Aetate, which addresses the declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions from the Vatican's perspective. It appears that the comparison of these two important documents is being undertaken for the first time in this article, seeking to emphasize a positive impact among the followers of these two religions, which constitute more than half of the world's population. The research method of this article is based on exploratory, thematic, and descriptive study relying on library research.