The concepts of state and authority have evolved through various phases, transitioning from overlap to separation. The state can be broadly defined as a network of institutions responsible for organizing the affairs of society or the people. On the other hand, authority, or the regime, refers to a group of individuals tasked with managing these institutions and accountable for them. These two terms can be seen as a general definition of the modern or civil state.
It is evident that the Arab region as a whole has not yet fully embraced the concept of the modern state. The religious state still enjoys relatively wide popularity, especially among political Islamist movements that have dominated the Arab political scene for decades. Analysts may differ on whether these movements’ adoption of political Islam is merely to attract followers or if it stems from genuine belief by their leaders. However, the outcome in both cases is the same in terms of its influence on people and the shaping of their political principles, which align with their religious beliefs based on the notion: "Our politics is our creed." Among the most prominent of these movements within Shia Islam is the one that emerged with the rise of the "clerical class" to power in Iran in 1979 under the banners of "Wilayat Al-Faqih" (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist) and "Exporting the Revolution."
Under these two banners, Hezbollah was established in Lebanon following the Israeli invasion in 1982. Despite the numerous controversies surrounding Hezbollah, its relationship with the Lebanese state remains one of the most complex, with the party working diligently to keep this relationship ambiguous both for its supporters and its opponents.
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