Abstract
Agency is one of the components of the Islamic political system and refers to a set of human factors who, at various levels, use their will to form and manage the political system. The nature and types of agency are important questions that this article addresses, relying on the Iranian-Islamic Model of Progress. Data collection was based on library resources, and analysis was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. The findings of this research clearly demonstrate that agency in the Islamic political system is among the manifestations of legislative divine authority (Tashri'i), and the legitimacy of its various levels is rooted in divine creative (Takwini) and legislative (Tashri'i) guardianship. Accordingly, meritocracy in the selection of agents and a sacred attitude toward the exercise of power are requirements of this perspective. Additionally, another result of this study is the identification of two types of agency in the Islamic political system. The first type of agency is carried out directly by the Imam and a number of his worthy representatives. The second type is indirect and is realized through the ummah (community) and popular institutions in contexts such as the acceptance of the political system, consultation, active adherence to guardianship (Wilayat), and supervision. Thus, the realization of religious democracy is considered one of the outcomes of the combination of these two types of agency in the Islamic political system.