Tavakkoly

Tavakkoly, also known as Tavakkol, is a concept in Islamic jurisprudence that refers to the right of a Muslim ruler to rule according to his own interpretation of Islamic law, even if it contradicts the views of the majority of scholars. The term is derived from the Arabic words "tavakkal," meaning "dependence" or "reliance," and "al," meaning "on." It is often associated with the Safavid dynasty in Iran, where it was used to justify the rule of the Shahs.

The concept of Tavakkoly emerged in the 16th century during a period of religious and political turmoil in the Islamic world. It was used by the Safavid rulers to assert their authority and to distinguish their rule from that of the Ottoman Empire, which was governed by a council of ulama (Islamic scholars). The Safavids argued that their rulers were divinely appointed and had the right to interpret Islamic law according to their own understanding.

Tavakkoly was a controversial concept, as it challenged the traditional authority of the ulama and the idea of consensus (ijma) in Islamic jurisprudence. Critics argued that it undermined the principle of religious authority and led to a fragmentation of Islamic thought. Despite this, Tavakkoly remained a significant aspect of Safavid rule and continues to be a subject of debate among Islamic scholars and historians today.