Ma`rifat Farhangi Ejtemaei

By adhering to the ‘criterion of validity’ in research methodology, sciences argue for the reliability of their conclusions. Similarly, Islamic researchers regard acting upon the research findings as discharging their religious and legal obligation. By reviewing the major sciences developed within Islamic culture and articulating their respective criteria of validity, this paper substantiates the methodological validity of Islamic social sciences. The initial step toward embracing Islam is faith in the fundamental doctrines of religion. Within scholastic theology, logic is employed to substantiate these fundamental principles, upon which acting upon divine revelation becomes incumbent. The two disciplines of exegesis and jurisprudence are formulated to access divine revelation, and their methodological criterion of validity is submission to revelation. The findings of neither discipline must contradict divine revelation. Upon deriving the legal rulings, acting upon them becomes incumbent. To execute the ruling, its subject matter must be identified. In the identification of subject matters, the rational operation of the researcher cannot contradict legal rulings; hence, the criterion of validity in this domain is the rulings themselves. In the social sciences, observing the social rulings derived by a specialist in governance jurisprudence serves as the criterion. Therefore, in the description, explanation, conclusion, and planning of social affairs, if we are to operate in an Islamic manner, it is imperative to adhere to the rulings issued by the Guardian Jurist.