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Moral Principles and Norms of Legislators… M. M. Chegini & F. Pourkeyvan (79
such as the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Amanah (trusteeship) (The Quran
assess the practical application and 4:135), into parliamentary standards
challenges of implementing ethical (Sachedina, 2001, p. 72).
norms in governance. Historical This dual approach ensures ethical
contextualization further enriches the guidelines align with both democratic
study by tracing the evolution of accountability and Shi’a
legislative ethics from classical Islamic jurisprudential values (Moṭahharī,
teachings to modern applications. The 1985). As Anṣārī (2006) demonstrates
interdisciplinary approach, incorporating in his analysis of Iran’s post-
political philosophy, religious studies, revolutionary Majlis, codifying ethics
and ethics, ensures a well-rounded is only an initial step; sustained
analysis that contributes both theoretical institutionalization through
insights and practical guidelines for mechanisms like the Article 90
developing ethical codes that enhance Commission and religious-legal
integrity, transparency, and public trust oversight bodies remains critical for
in legislative institutions. enforcement (p. 167).
This paper will explore the moral
Professional Ethics Requirements
for Representatives obligations and potential ethical
Given the fundamental difference challenges faced by representatives in
between the Islamic Republic of Iran’s the context of the Islamic Republic's
religious democratic system—which is parliamentary system. By examining
rooted in Wilāyah al-Faqīh these requirements, we aim to lay the
(Guardianship of the Jurist) (Khomeini, groundwork for the creation of a
1971)—and secular political systems comprehensive ethical framework for
where religion plays no formal role parliamentarians in Iran. Although this
(OECD, 2021), the code of conduct for study focuses on the Iranian Majlis, the
Iranian parliamentarians must be insights derived from this code could
carefully designed to reflect this unique apply to parliamentarians globally.
hybrid governance structure. While Trustworthiness
comparative research suggests the Trustworthiness is a key moral
utility of adopting evidence-based anti- obligation for members of parliament,
corruption measures from secular defined here as the careful management
democracies (IPU, 2020, p. 33), Islamic of state resources and finances. It
political ethics require the integration involves safeguarding public funds and
of Quranic principles such avoiding personal misuse of
as ’Adl (justice) (The Quran 4:58), government property, such as using
