Authors
1
PhD in Economic Sciences (Islamic Economics specialization), Research Center for Social Sciences, Research Institute of Hawzah & University, Qom, Iran.
2
Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Research Center for Social Sciences, Research Institute of Hawzah & University, Qom, Iran.
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Economics, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: Economics, as a pivotal element of any organization and its driving force, plays a critical role in institutional sustainability. In the context of Islamic seminaries (Hawza) and the clerical institution, economic structures have faced numerous challenges in recent decades. Some of these challenges stem from historical legacies, while others emerged after the Islamic Revolution due to shifts such as reliance on state budgets and functional transformations within the clergy. These changes have rendered traditional financial systems inadequate for contemporary needs. Consequently, addressing the financing of Islamic seminaries in the modern era has become imperative.
This study focuses on the foundational documents of the Hawzah in the "Second Phase of the Revolution," including:
* Vision Document for Islamic Seminaries
* *Five-Year Plan of the Center for Hawza Management (2020–2024)*
* Comprehensive Spatial Planning Document for Seminaries
* Charter of Islamic Seminaries (Principles, Policies, and Macro-Programs)
* Comprehensive Systems of Islamic Seminaries
Scientific Roadmap of Islamic Seminaries
These documents serve as the primary framework guiding the clergy’s activities and defining its strategic vision for achieving an optimal financial ecosystem. The study aims to extract the principles and foundations of seminary financing based on these texts, as foundational documents are essential for shaping institutional research agendas. Specifically, it seeks to identify core economic and financial issues in education, research, and cultural activities within seminaries through a meticulous review of these sources.
Methodology: This research employs thematic analysis to examine the foundational documents of the Hawzah and clergy. Thematic analysis is a flexible and robust qualitative method for identifying, analyzing, and interpreting patterns within complex textual data. It organizes data into descriptive categories while also enabling deeper interpretation, transforming fragmented information into rich, detailed insights.
1. Data Reduction: Condensing textual data.
2. Segmentation and Categorization: Classifying content into thematic units.
3. Synthesis and Reconstruction: Reorganizing data to extract key concepts.
This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the documents, highlighting both recurring patterns and contextual nuances. The final output is a cohesive conceptual network that captures the essence of the texts.
Results: The thematic analysis of Hawzah documents yielded 219 basic themes, consolidated into 25 organizing themes and four overarching themes:
1. Financing the Hawza and Livelihood of Seminarians (Most prominent theme)
* Sub-themes:
- Targeted financial support
- Preserving the dignity of clerics
- Training specialists for niche roles
- Public funding mechanisms
- Revival and development of endowments (waqf)
- Collaborative financing models
- Budgetary parity with other institutions
- Donations, vows (nudhur), and philanthropic contributions
- Optimization of existing financing methods
- Leveraging institutional capacities
- Sustainable and independent financing
- Livelihood security for seminarians
2. Administrative and Managerial Reform
* Sub-themes:
- Necessity of innovation
- Prerequisites for constructive reform
- Separation of policymaking and management
- Effective governance
- Strategic foresight
- Engagement with elite expertise
3. Two-Way Engagement with the Public
* Sub-themes:
- Grassroots connectivity
- Reliance on public and philanthropic resources
- Cultural advocacy for charitable giving
- Skill development to address societal needs
4. Mutual Support Between the Hawzah and State (While Preserving Independence)
* Sub-themes:
- Institutional collaboration
- Political support for the state
- Safeguarding the Hawza’s autonomy
Discussion and Conclusion: While themes like financing and livelihood directly address the research focus, the analysis reveals deeper intersections with institutional independence and governance. Key findings include:
1. Economic and managerial autonomy is paramount, even amid state collaboration.
2. Administrative modernization is critical for financial sustainability.
3. Strategic state engagement is endorsed, provided it does not compromise the Hawza’s independence.
The study concludes that a balanced, interdependent relationship between seminaries and the state is essential, with mutual support mechanisms that preserve institutional self-sufficiency.
Keywords
