Examining the Nature of the Imam's Property Regarding Its Ownership by the Imam as a Natural Person or Legal Entity: With Emphasis on Martyr Sadr's Theory of "Financing Social Security Through Anfal"

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Sayedali Sedaghat 1
mostafa kazeminajafabadi 2
1 Lecturer at the higher levels of the Qom Seminary and a graduate of the 4th level of the seminaries and a master's degree in economics from the University of Qom. PhD student in Islamic Economics at the Seminary and University Research Cente
2 Associate Professor and Director of the Economics Department, Islamic Social Sciences Research Institute, Hajj and University Research Institute
10.30497/ies.2026.248541.2295
Abstract
From the perspective of Martyr Sadr, one of the fundamental pillars of Islamic economics is social justice, which is reflected in the wealth distribution system. Emphasizing the role of the Islamic state in social security for the weak and needy, he considers Anfal to be one of the main sources of financing this task.
Martyr Sadr has combined his theory on financing social security with his theory on the ownership of Anfal for the legitimate Islamic state as the legal personality of the Imam.
In this framework, the basic issue of the research is to examine the nature of the Imam's ownership of Anfal and its relationship with Martyr Sadr's theory on financing social security. The two main questions are: one is "Is Anfal the property of the Imam's real personality or the property of his legal personality?" and the other is "Is the acceptance of Martyr Sadr's theory dependent on the assumption of ownership of the Imam's legal personality?"
The findings of the study show that although the popular opinion among scholars regarding the ownership of the Imam's true personality seems correct, according to the narrations of "Anfal Analysis", accepting the principle of the theory of Wilayat al-Faqih - even to the extent of Hasabiyyah affairs - is sufficient to prioritize Anfal spending in social security needs. Therefore, the theory of Martyr Sadr can be considered as a legitimate basis in the economic policies of the Islamic system.
Keywords
Imam's property
natural person
legal entity
social security financing
Anfal
Islamic Economics Studies Bi-quarterly Journal

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 January 2026