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Ghadeer Lamah
Mrs. Lucarelli
Honors Comparative Civilizations
9 November 2015
The Influence of Islam in Iran
Islam has influenced Middle Eastern government and society in a variety of ways. Some
locations stress the importance and need for the implementation of Islamic laws more so than
others. One country that is impacted and structured by Islam greatly is Iran. Iran is a Middle
Eastern country that has a society and government that would not be the same without the help of
some Islamic teachings. Through the teachings of Islam, Iran has developed a successful social
structure and governmental system.
The whole government of Iran is centered around Islam as it is a theocratic Islamic
republic. Virtually everyone in Iran is of the Islamic faith, specifically Shia, therefore everyone
follows the laws that happen to pertain to laws of the religion as well. The man who
revolutionized the country is Ayatollah Khomeini. Under his rule, the politics and laws of Iran
perilously changed. For example, Sharia law demonstrates that women should be dressing
modestly, covering their hair, arms, legs, and torso as a form of propriety and respect. Although,
interpretations of just how modest women should be dressing vary. In Iran, Sharia law is
integrated into the legal system in that way; A scarf is all you need to cover your hair or parts
of it- modestly. It doesnt mean you need to have a tight scarf around your head, in contrast it is
rather acceptable for women to allow whips of their hair to frame their face. Body should be
covered with loose clothing such as baggy shirts, coats and/or man-teus. (How to Look Good In
Iran). This presents how Islamic practices and laws are intertwined, resulting in Sharia law being

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a part of an Iranians everyday life. Another example of implementation of Sharia law in Iran is
through marital rights. According to some interpretations of Sharia, a man can divorce his wife
irrespective of her consent when in front of an Islamic judge, whereas in order for a women to
divorce, the husband's consent is required (Friedland). This way of thinking and separation of
rights between men and women is found once again, in the laws and everyday life of Iran. It may
come as a surprise that most citizens of Iran support the legal system and do not want it to
change. According to a survey performed on citizens of Iran, roughly eight-in-ten Iranians
(83%) say sharia should be implemented in their country, compared with 15% who are opposed
to using Islamic law (Iranians Views Mixed on Political Roles). It is evident that Islam has
played a huge role in Iranian laws and expected behavior of the general public. Without these
Islamic based laws, Iran would not be anywhere near the way it is today.
Islam also influenced Iran in the separation of power in government and politics. Ever
since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran that highlighted the importance of Islam and gradually
accepted the religion by majority of population, government changed drastically. Islam is an
essential part of who gets elected into which position. The Supreme Leader of Iran is both the
countrys top Islamic religious leader, and its most powerful political official. The Guardian
Council, a set of religious scholars, can veto any piece of legislation that does not adhere to the
Islamic religion (Iranians Views Mixed on Political Roles). These two aspects of government
prove the constant emphasis of everything deeming to Islam. The Supreme Leader and The
Guardian Council are both of high importance in government and politics, and both are centered
around maintaining the Islamic principles in the laws of the country.
Before the Islamic Revolution, Iran was run by the Shah , and the Muslims of Iran did not
believe that they were granted the equal power that they deserved. The government was not run

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and centered around Islam by any means, as it was a constitutional monarchy. It is clear that after
the revolution the government of Iran completely changed, all through Islam. Islams central
beliefs, principles, and teachings have become a package deal with the government and laws, and
as a result of this, they have also become a fundamental of everyday life. This is all part of what
forms Iran into what it is today.

Works Cited
"How to Look Good in Iran: A Rough Guide to Dress Code in Iran." How to Look Good in Iran:
A Rough Guide to Dress Code in Iran. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2015.
Friedland, Ellliot. "Women's Rights Under Sharia | Clarion Project." ClarionProject.org. Clarion

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Project, Inc., 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 07 Nov. 2015.

"Iranians' Views Mixed on Political Role for Religious Figures." Pew Research Centers Religion
Public Life Project RSS. Pew Research Center, 10 June 2013. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Oct. 2015. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.