Mohsen Kadivar (Persian: محسن کدیور‎, born June 8, 1959) is a philosopher, leading intellectual reformist, and professor of Islamic Studies. A political Iranian dissident, Kadivar has been a vocal critic of the doctrine of clerical rule, also known as Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist), and a strong advocate of democratic and liberal reforms in Iran as well as constructional reform in shari'a and Shi'a theology. Kadivar has served time in prison in Iran for his political activism and beliefs.