Sayyid Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad: Difference between revisions

Mohaghegh Damad believes in the separation between caliphate and imamate. He is of opinion that the caliphate as a form and structure of government is an earthly, executive, and non-sacred matter, while the imamate holds a religious, spiritual, and sacred position; therefore, the caliphate pertains to political and executive management of society and can be administered by non-infallible people, but the imamate is a divine and spiritual status restricted to the Infallible Imams. In his view, the separation of these two concepts helps us to understand the history of Islam and the role of the Infallible Imams in the political developments of that era more accurately. Mohaghegh Damad explains this distinction by citing the peace treaty between Imam Hasan (AS) and Mu'awiya. Based on his analysis, Imam Hasan (AS) ceded the caliphate, i.e. the political management, to Mu'awiya and so he showed that the caliphate is separate from the imamate and giving in to the political circumstances at that time did not mean giving up the religious and sacred position, but rather giving up the government. So, considering the interests of the Islamic society, the Infallible Imams can entrust the reins of executive affairs to a non-infallible person.<ref>Mohaghegh Damad, "Session on 'Peace and War, Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil'."</ref>