An Investigation of the Development of the Theory of Imams’ Existential Authority (Wilayat–e Takwini) in Imamiyyah Thoughts from the 7 th to the 11th Centuries

Through different semantic coordinates, the theory of “wilayatـe takwini” the creational guardianship or the existential authority of the imam” is used by many contemporary Shiite scholars for describing the status of Imamate and some of the states of the imam. According to preliminary investigations, wilayatـe takwini is one of the newlyـemerging terms in the Shiite theology, and no trace of it is found in earlier Shiite texts. The presence of mystical and philosophical foundations is remarkably significant in the later descriptions of wilayatـe takwini. Therefore, the review of this doctrine, which is based on the method of the history of ideas from the seventh to the eleventh centuries AH, and includes the early Shiite mystical and philosophical thoughts and the period after its emergence, makes it possible to trace the history of this theory’s formation and its evolution. The evolution and development of the theory of wilayatـe takwini over these centuries indicates the three stages of formation, development and consolidation in the mysticalـphilosophical line as well as the theories consistent with the semantic characteristics of wilayatـe takwini. Furthermore, it reflects many different and sometimes contradictory views about the Imams and their abilities, which are even observed in one individuals’ opinions, leading to inconsistency and confusion about this issue. Based on a set of Shiite theological foundations and influenced by some internal and external factors, wilayatـe takwini found the opportunity to emerge and develop simultaneous with the entry of mystical and philosophical ideas into Shiite thinking by Khaje Nasir, Allameh Helly and Ibn Maysam Bahrani. Then it flourished with the leadership of Sayyed Heidar Amoli and, after him, in the ideas of Ibn Abi Jomhur Ehsayee, and Hafiz Rajab Borsi also supported this movement from a traditional perspective. Through transcendental wisdom, scholars such as Mulla Sadra and Feiz provided a coherent explanation of wilayatـe takwini, which was consistent with other religious doctrines in this regard. Impressed by hadithـbased traditions, and also under the unconscious influence of the mysticalـphilosophical line, Allameh Majlesi, too, supported this viewpoint. The concept of wilayatـe takwini, that emerged at the end of this period (۷thـ۱۱th century) was the result of some transformations and semantic and interpretive layers created for different ideas and concepts over the mentioned five centuries, and due to the dominance of transcendental wisdom after Mulla Sadra’s time up to the modern era, this view and interpretation of the imam has been the cause of the development and consolidation of the theory of wilayatـe takwini.