"Politics as a Virtue" In the Idea of Feyz-e- Kashani

Mullah Mohsen Faiz-e-Kashani (996-1077 AH) is one of the great Imami thinkers in the second period of the Safavid dynasty in Iran, who is influenced by two views of Sadra and Hadith’s philosophy. He has presented his thoughts on politics by relying on the traditions of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) and focusing on the virtues of Islamic philosophy. Thus, the main question of this article is how Feyz-e-Kashani regards politics and political life? The findings of this research, which is the result of theoretical-oriented textual research and library data, show that Feyz’es real devotion derives from the school of Ahl al-Bayt and following their way, which is virtuism. Therefore, based on the virtue oriented and Islamic canonical (Quran and the tradition of Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT)) philosophical views (political philosophy) and based on the conditions of his time, tried to reinstate the political and intellectual powers of Shia as the true Islam. On this basis, he regards politics as a virtue and the principle of guiding and educating human beings to achieve true prosperity. According to Feyz, a policy based on virtue is in complete agreement with logic and the law of God and obeying it is admissible, but if it is not virtue oriented, it is in conflict with human’s logic and the law of God. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid it. Accordingly, society needs a law and an administrator. this law is the law of God, and its administrators are the great virtuists or representatives of these law, who are, prophets and imams. Therefore, the desirable government for Feyz is a virtue oriented one which is achieved through a virtuous policy; and the leader of this government is a prophet or a God-chosen Imam. But during the absence of Imam, the fulfillment of this need is first upon the true and virtuous scholars and then upon a virtuous and just ruler who is accepted by the scholars.