The Guardianship of Creation from the Perspective of the Quran, Hadith, and Reason, with Emphasis on Imamate

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Graduate in Shi'a Theology, Amir al-Mu'minin University, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Philosophy Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor of Quranic Sciences and Hadith Department, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran

10.22034/dqm.2025.20394.1132

Abstract

Problem Statement: In the science of interpretation, the guardianship of creation (wilayat takwini) belongs to God Almighty. However, since the righteous human does not follow their desires, God appoints them as the manifestation of His power to govern existence. This type of guardianship is the highest stage, surpassing even the station of prophethood. The Imam, by divine permission, holds this guardianship and has a metaphysical influence over all humanity. In Shia thought, the Imam is the absolute guardian (wali mutlaq), the perfect human (insan kamil), connected to the unseen world, the mediator of divine grace (wasitat al-fayz), and the heavenly proof (hujjat al-samawiya). The Imam possesses wilayat takwini, and the world cannot be devoid of it. The existence of the Imam is the purpose and goal of creation, and all other creations are preparatory for their existence. If the Imam did not exist, creation would lack purpose, and existence would not have come into being. Thus, the Imam, through their wilayat takwini, is involved in the creation and continuity of existence. According to Shia belief, the Imam’s role in the philosophy of creation is to ensure its continuity. If the Imam were absent even for a moment, creation would collapse. This is supported by both rational and transmitted proofs.
Rationally, since God holds true guardianship, only those granted permission by God can exercise it. As God does not directly intervene in the world, the Imam, as the perfect human, is His caliph, holding guardianship over both creation (takhwin) and legislation (tashri). Transmitted proofs indicate that the Imam possesses wilayat takwini—the power to govern creation—in addition to political, social, and religious leadership. The Imam’s wilayat takwini is manifested through miracles and control over natural phenomena and human souls, using supernatural and divine powers.
Objective: This research focuses on the necessity of wilayat takwini in the context of Mahdism, supported by interpretative evidence. Mahdism has been a central concern for all Islamic sects since the early days of Islam, and its concept is universally accepted. The importance of examining interpretative evidence for wilayat takwini becomes clear when we recognize the direct relationship between belief in Mahdism and its intellectual foundations. Stronger theological foundations for Mahdism deepen belief in it. Recently, some have attacked the sacred station of Imam al-Mahdi, denying his established attributes and attempting to destroy the last bastion of Muslim belief, paving the way for atheism. One of these attributes is his wilayat takwini, which plays a fundamental role in the emergence and continuity of existence. Exploring the rational and transmitted evidence for Mahdism can dispel doubts and restore its true position.
Methodology: This study is descriptive-analytical, employing library and documentary methods. Data were collected from primary sources, and critical analysis was used.
Findings and Conclusion: The research concludes that wilayat takwini means the reins of affairs are in the hands of the guardian, who has dominion over existence and can govern it as they wish. The guardian’s wilayat takwini is subordinate to God’s general and complete guardianship and depends on divine permission. The guardian can perform any act in existence, but only if God wills it.
The guardian is the mediator of divine grace (majra’ al-fayz), the ultimate purpose of creation, and the world is created for them and through their existence. This type of guardianship is also attributed to the Prophet and the Infallible Imams, and their actions, as per reliable and consecutive hadiths, are undeniable. Quranic verses affirm the Imams’ wilayat takwini, recognizing them as mediators of divine grace.
Interpreters view wilayat takwini as indispensable for the emergence and continuity of existence. They use God’s continuous creative role to argue for the necessity of wilayat takwini in Mahdism. Interpreters believe in the wilayat takwini of the perfect human and consider the existence of God’s caliph in every era—the absolute manifestation of divine names and attributes and the mediator of grace—essential. This caliph fulfills God’s role in all aspects of the possible world, as not all beings can directly receive divine grace. Only the perfect human, due to their inherent merit and divine attributes, is qualified for this station.
The necessity of the guardian as God’s caliph in every era is based on divine grace, and this caliphate is not limited to any specific time. The perfect human, as the manifestation of the all-encompassing name of Allah, has dominion, governance, and management over all lower beings. This is the truth of mediation in divine grace, which is wilayat takwini. The necessity of the perfect human in every era is derived from the issue of guardianship in the realm of creation. The external manifestation of wilayat takwini in every era must be derived from transmitted teachings.

Keywords

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Contemporary Quranic Studies
Volume 4, Issue 11
July 2025
Pages 62-99

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