The 1979 revolution, which ended Iran’s monarchical tradition, created a new political order based on Shiite theological foundations and giving absolute ruling power to a Shiite jurist/cleric. Throughout Iran’s long history, Shiite seminaries exercised great influence on Iranian society and politics, but they had been considered civil institutions.
1979年革命结束了伊朗帝王政治的传统，建立了以什叶派神学为基础的崭新的政治秩序，赋予法学家/教士以至高无上的权力。在伊朗历史上，虽然什叶派神学院对伊朗社会和政治有着巨大的影响，但它们仍然属于民间组织。直到伊朗革命后，神学院机构才被公认为政治合法性的源泉。