Rereading the Communicative Rationality in the Alawi Tradition; Strategy and Solutions of the Political Interaction of the Commander of the Faithful (PBUH) with the Gray Sector

Moeini Poor, Masood; Bashtani, Ali

doi:10.22034/ipr.2026.552900.2327

Rereading the Communicative Rationality in the Alawi Tradition; Strategy and Solutions of the Political Interaction of the Commander of the Faithful (PBUH) with the Gray Sector

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

masood moeini poor ¹

ali bashtani ²

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Bagheralud University, Qom, Iran.

² PhD student, Department of Political Science, Bagheralud University, Qom, Iran.

10.22034/ipr.2026.552900.2327

Abstract

This article aims to revisit the political conduct of Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him) in engaging with the “gray zone” population, employing Jürgen Habermas’ theoretical framework of communicative rationality to develop an analytical model of his approach toward hesitant or undecided groups. The originality of the study lies in applying a contemporary theoretical framework to analyze the political praxis of Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him), redefining the concept of the gray zone within the historical context of religious governance, and formulating a three-tiered strategy encompassing discursive, behavioral, and structural dimensions. The central research question addresses how Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him), in the complex arenas of political engagement—particularly during his caliphate—relied not on coercion or exclusion, but on mechanisms of persuasion, tolerance, and justice to attract, rebuild trust, and foster political participation among this segment. The analysis is structured along three levels: at the discursive level, he employs reasoning-based and ethically grounded language to justify legitimacy and respond to doubts; at the behavioral level, he organizes tolerant interactions through strategic patience while avoiding political exclusion; and at the structural level, he reforms institutions of power based on justice and meritocracy, providing tangible experiences of equality for society. Methodologically, the study is qualitative and employs an analytical-interpretive approach, demonstrating that this communicative and persuasive logic constitutes a significant capacity for reconstructing social capital and reinforcing soft legitimacy in contemporary religious systems.

Keywords

Communicative Rationality

Alawi Conduct (or Alawi Political Praxis)

Gray Zone

Political Tolerance

Persuasive Legitimacy

Subjects

political science

The Holy Quran

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