This is a translation of Mehdi Hairi Yazdi¿s ¿¿¿¿ ¿ ¿¿¿¿¿ (¿ikmat wa ¿uk¿mat) which provides a philosophical critique of the theory of the guardianship of the jurist. This theory is currently the governance theory in Iran and Mehdi Hairi Yazdi¿s treatise provides a critique based on both philosophical and traditional arguments. It asks numerous questions, such as: ¿Is the governance of jurists philosophically coherent, rational and efficient?¿ and ¿How can Muslim communities have their own forms of governance in such a manner that their faith commitments are met while living in their own time without clashing with universal values of governance?¿ and debunks the key