The Shi'i Concept of Imamate and Leadership in Contemporary Iran: The Case of Religious Modernists

The Imamate is one of the most important pillars in Twelver Shi’ism. However, its meaning has been greatly debated by religious modernists in recent years. In this article, the Iranian religious modernists' position on the concept of the Imamate, in contrast to the traditional view, is expounded. In addition, this work presents the major critical remarks of the religious modernists on the theory of Velayat-e Faqih (guardianship of the jurist), as an implementation of the concept of Imamate, which is in practice in contemporary Iran.