In his recent statements, Mustafa Mir-Salim emphasized the concept of oil as a divine resource, asserting that oil should be regarded as an asset belonging to God and not as a source for the government's current expenditures. These remarks have emerged against a backdrop of jurisprudential and economic discussions about the use of oil revenues.
Oil as Anfal
In Ordibehesht 1398, Ayatollah Mohaghegh Damad noted in his writings that oil revenues should be allocated to sustainable investments and should not be dedicated to current expenditures. He believes that oil should be classified among Anfal, but clearly calls for its revenues to be allocated to the people.
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Meanwhile, Mir-Salim, citing the first verse of Surah Al-Anfal, claims that oil should be considered a divine source and not belonging to the people. This argument has been criticized in light of existing interpretations in the Holy Quran, especially the verses related to war spoils.
History of Oil Nationalization
Looking back to history, particularly to Esfand 1329, when Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh and his associates proposed the nationalization of Iran's oil industry, shows that the initial goals of this plan were to improve the people's lives and cut dependence on colonizers. At that time, members of parliament, considering national interests and the welfare of the Iranian nation, called for the nationalization of the oil industry.
These two approaches to oil, namely its belonging to God and its belonging to the people, reflect a deep contradiction in attitudes toward this vast resource. While Mir-Salim considers oil to belong to God, Mossadegh emphasized the importance of nationalizing oil and using it to improve the living conditions of the people.
These discussions gain more significance in the current situation where Iran's oil industry faces international challenges and sanctions. Many believe that optimal management and proper use of oil revenues can help improve the country's economic situation, while others still maintain that oil should be regarded as a divine resource independent of the people.
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