Revisiting the Ideals of Justice and Legalism in the Thought of Nazem al-Islam Kermani

Document Type : Research Article / Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili , Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

The Constitutional Revolution of Iran was not only a fundamental transformation in the contemporary political and social history of Iran but also a profound reflection of the two popular ideals of justice-seeking and legalism. Employing a qualitative thematic analysis method, this research examines the interpretation and reflection of these two concepts in the work "The History of the Iranian Awakening" by Nazem-ol-Eslam Kermani. The research data were collected and extracted through a precise and systematic reading of the aforementioned text. The findings indicate that Nazem-ol-Eslam considered justice-seeking not only as the driving force behind the Constitutional Movement and a natural reaction to Qajar oppression but also as a comprehensive social demand. In contrast, he introduced legalism as the necessary framework for the sustainable realization of justice and the establishment of a modern political system based on national sovereignty. His perspective, shaped by his intellectual background—particularly his religious beliefs and lived experience of the Constitutional events—led him to legitimize these principles not merely from a political standpoint but also within an ethical and religious framework. A comparison of Nazem-ol-Eslam's thought with that of his contemporaries reveals that, while sharing the overarching ideals, he possessed a unique approach characterized by the integration of modern rationality and an emphasis on the role of the people as agents of change. By focusing on Nazem-ol-Eslam's narrative, this study demonstrates how justice-seeking and legalism, as the central pillars of his thought, are manifested in his analysis of the Constitutional Revolution in his texts, and how these ideas hold a distinct position compared to other approaches of his era.

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References

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Social Theories of Muslim Thinkers
Volume 16, Issue 1
March 2026
Pages 93-107

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History

  • Receive Date: 10 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 23 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 06 November 2025
  • Publish Date: 21 March 2026

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