Tarikh Islam

Despite emphasizing the model of Imam Ali's (AS) governance conduct in dealing with political opponents, the Islamic Republic of Iran has in practice adopted different approaches. Thus, the main research question is to what extent and through which methods this modeling has been realized. This study employs a comparative approach, using historical sources (the Alawi tradition) and documents/reports from the post-revolution era in Iran. Data were collected through documentary and library methods and comparatively analyzed based on primary historical sources. The findings show that the Alawi tradition is based on three key strategies: tolerance and advice, enlightenment and dialogue, and decisive action after giving full notice, along with a precise differentiation of opponent types (verbal, military, security, intellectual, economic). In notable cases—such as dealing with the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MKO/MEK) as an armed insurgency, managing intra-governmental dissent, and even widespread protests—the Islamic Republic of Iran has displayed a combination of these three strategies within the overall Alawi logic. However, due to differences in historical contexts and changing manifestations of opposition, the complete application of the Alawi model to contemporary conditions has faced challenges and criticisms. Therefore, although the Islamic Republic has followed the Alawi tradition at the level of general logic, its full implementation requires attention to the real differences between the two historical periods.