This article conducts a comparative analysis of the components of "good governance" and the model of "religious democracy" in the Islamic Republic of Iran, focusing on the "rule of law" as the central axis of analysis. Using a descriptive-analytical method and data from international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations, the study demonstrates that despite efforts to align the principles of good governance with the foundations of Shia jurisprudence and the Iranian Constitution, structural challenges have hindered the full realization of this model. Tensions between the interpretation of Sharia by appointed institutions and modern legal requirements and, on the other hand, Iran’s low scores in global rule of law indices highlight the gap between theory and practice.

An analysis of the perspectives of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei reveals that both emphasize the Islamic nature of law and the supervisory role of the Guardianship of the Jurist However, ambiguities in delineating the boundaries between "expediency of the system" and the rule of law have created challenges in institutional accountability. The article proposes solutions to bridge this gap, including redefining dynamic jurisprudenc, strengthening independent oversight institutions, and fostering constructive engagement with international standards. It underscores the necessity of integrating Islamic identity with modern governance requirements to enhance good governance indicators and reinforce religious democracy. This research emphasizes the imperative of harmonizing Islamic principles with the demands of contemporary governance to advance both good governance and the efficacy of religious democracy in Iran