Divine Sovereignty and Clerical Authority in Early Shi‘i Islamism: Bāqir al-Ṣadr (1935–80) and Taqī al-Mudarrisī (b. 1945) on the Islamic State

Abstract Divine sovereignty ( ḥākimiyya )—as conceived by Abū al-A‘lā Mawdūdī (1903–79) and popularised Sayyid Quṭb (1906–66) - has been a central component of Islamist thought. This article investigates the reception concept within Shi‘i Islam. As case studies, choses two prominent actors in formative period Islamism Iraq: Muḥammad Bāqir al-Ṣadr (1935–80) Taqī al-Mudarrisī (b. 1945). By discussing their reflections on nature an Islamic state, pursues three objectives: first, it overcomes trend academic scholarship that disregards Sunni influences development Islamism. Second, highlights role Iraqi intellectual milieu played incorporating key concepts into political Finally, demonstrates different receptions . uses ideological repertoire to explore pragmatic terms parameters define state as Islamically legitimate. In contrast, redefine terms. He operationalises context arguing must be led just jurisconsult al-faqīh al-‘ādil ) who becomes sole agent divine state.