Constitutional Law: The Etiquettes of Constitutionalism

The book “Constitutional Law: The Etiquettes of Constitutionalism” written by Mohammad Ali Foroughi (Zaka al-Molk) is one of the most important texts from the early constitutional period in Iran. It not only clarifies the theoretical foundations of constitutional law in Persian but also contributes to the creation of some of the modern legal technical vocabulary in contemporary Iranian language. Foroughi wrote this text in the early years following the issuance of the Constitutional Decree. The book is generally introduced as “the first constitutional law book in Persian,” explaining the principles of constitutional government, the duties of governmental institutions, and the role of the people in the new regime. The main audience was the Persian-speaking readers of that era who needed to become familiar with new political terms and structures. Structurally, the text is an educational treatise: Foroughi organizes fundamental constitutional law concepts and explains topics such as the nature of constitutional government, separation of powers, duties of the parliament and government, rights and duties of the nation, and the necessity of the rule of law using relatively simple language and examples. Another prominent feature of the text is its role in establishing modern legal terminology and concepts in Persian. Many terms commonly used today in Persian legal texts can trace their roots or usage examples to this treatise. Foroughi was clearly influenced by modern European legal foundations, especially the French legal systems. Beyond its content, the book holds significant historical and documentary value as the first organized effort to explain constitutional law in Persian. Its lasting influence in shaping public and legal understanding of constitutionalism is another compelling reason to read it. Accordingly, this treatise is an essential resource both for researchers of Iran’s political history and for legal scholars interested in the roots of law in Iran. However, to fully understand the book’s content and the constitutional era, it should be studied alongside complementary works on Iranian social and political history.