Working for Oppressive States: Ruling on the Legitimacy of Judges Appointed by Tyrannical Regimes

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Working for Oppressive States: Ruling on the Legitimacy of Judges Appointed by Tyrannical Regimes

English:

Question #1351:

Does a judge, who has been appointed by a tyrannical regime for judgment, have legitimacy? Should his judgment, therefore, be obeyed?

Answer #1351:

It is not permissible for any person, who is not a qualified mujtahid, to be a judge and settle disputes between people unless he has been appointed by a qualified authority who has the right to appoint him. [If not], members of the public should not have recourse to such a judge and any judgment passed by him is not binding except for the necessary cases.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Working for Oppressive States