Modern State in Iran:Relationship among Modernization, Shariah and Tribalism

This paper attempts to explore the interaction between modernization, Shariah and tribalism, with special reference to Iran. The modern era that began in Europe had a great impact on Iranian society. The wave of modernity was a strong social and philosophical storm thundered on intellectuals, religious leaders, tribes, the middle and ruling classes in Iran, which led to the Constitutional Revolution in 1907 and the Islamic Revolution in 1979. As a result, the traditional absolute monarchy turned into a parliamentary monarchy, and eventually replaced by Islamic republic. Modernity also wielded its impact the socio-political and legal interaction between Shariah and modern law as reflected in the Iranian constitutions of 1907 and 1979. Serving as a guide for future research, this paper emphasizes that modernization does not mean secularization or westernization, and discusses how Iranians developed a modern state.