Journal of Historical Research, Law and Policy 3115-7505 1 Serial Number 2 2023 04 01 Legal Pluralism and Religious Freedom: A Case Study of Faith-Based Legal Challenges Legal Pluralism and Religious Freedom: A Case Study of Faith-Based Legal Challenges 1 8 EN Journal Article 2023 02 10 <p>This study aims to explore how individuals experience and navigate faith-based legal challenges within a context of legal pluralism, focusing on the interaction between religious and state legal systems in Tehran. The research employed a qualitative case study design grounded in interpretive methodology. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 participants in Tehran, including religious leaders, legal practitioners, and individuals directly involved in faith-based legal disputes. Participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure diverse perspectives across gender, religious background, and legal role. Interviews were conducted in Persian, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Theoretical saturation was achieved, and data analysis followed a three-stage coding process—open, axial, and selective—to identify core themes and interrelated categories. Analysis revealed three major thematic categories: (1) Tensions Between State and Religious Legal Orders, including jurisdictional conflict, norm incompatibility, and institutional resistance; (2) Lived Experience of Faith-Based Legal Practitioners, encompassing identity conflicts, professional dilemmas, and legal innovation; and (3) Perceptions of Justice and Fairness, with subthemes such as moral legitimacy, procedural trust, gendered experiences, and outcome satisfaction. Participants often described navigating conflicting authorities through pragmatic strategies, such as forum shopping and seeking dual validation. Religious forums were perceived as more accessible and empathetic, but less enforceable, while state courts were seen as authoritative yet impersonal. The findings highlight the complexity of legal pluralism in Tehran, where religious and civil legal systems coexist in tension. Legal actors and claimants use adaptive strategies to pursue justice within these overlapping frameworks, revealing both the potential and the pitfalls of plural legal orders. Addressing structural inequities and enhancing inter-system coordination are essential to safeguarding meaningful religious freedom.</p> https://jhrlp.com/index.php/jhrlp/article/download/6/6