Abstract

In Mulla Sadra's school of philosophy, guardianship has mainly a Qur'anic and gnostic taste and flavor. In his view, guardianship, which is the inner being of prophethood, is of two general and particular types. General guardianship, according to the Qur'an, involves all believers. Particular guardianship means the annihilation of the loving wayfarer in the essence and attribute of Almighty Truth. This guardian, who is a perfect Man, gnostic, and God's caliph on Earth, enjoys genetic guardianship, which is of different degrees and levels. According to traditions and based on philosophical arguments, absolute guardianship before creation, is an intermediary in creation, accompanies the created, is a guide and proof for them, and continues through divine subsistence after the created. Therefore, unlike prophethood, guardianship is not disconnected, and that is why its primary purpose is other than leading people. This is because the ultimate end of a supreme existent is not the benefit of an inferior existent but at some levels of guardianship people will benefit from the guardian. However, the outer being of a prophet is Shari'ah, and his purpose is to guide God's servants. This guardianship comes to the Infallible Imam after the end of prophethood, and at the time of the absence of the Imam , a religious jurist who is most similar to a prophet in terms of his knowledge of Shari'ah will undertake this duty. Such a duty also includes political guardianship because it is responsible for organizing and regulating people's affairs