Introduction: Religious assemblies (Hey’ats) in Iran, as long-standing grassroots institutions rooted in Shi‘a culture, function as intermediaries between society and the macroeconomy through the mobilization of social capital. This qualitative study explores their role in strengthening the resistance economy and proposes an indigenous framework for Islamic economic development.
Objective: The objective of the research is to analyze how Hey’ats convert social capital into productive economic activities, thereby enhancing the resistance economy. The study examines trust-based and cooperative mechanisms within these networks and highlights the advantages of this model compared with secular approaches.
Methodology: Using a qualitative design and thematic analysis, the study draws on semi-structured interviews with 30 active Hey’at members from both urban and rural regions of Iran. The focus is on identifying the mechanisms through which social capital is transformed into economic action.
Findings: The findings show that Hey’ats channel social capital into productive initiatives through targeted votive offerings (directing religious donations toward production), assembly-based cooperatives (reducing risk through institutional trust), and ritual marketing (promoting local products during religious ceremonies). Integrated religious-economic education also shifts members’ mindsets toward production-oriented thinking and strengthens collective participation. The main challenge lies in maintaining a balance between spiritual functions and emerging economic activities.
Conclusion: The study concludes that Hey’ats, by leveraging trusted social networks, serve as intermediary institutions offering an indigenous model for advancing the resistance economy. This model reinforces national production and provides valuable guidance for participatory policymaking under sanctions, contributing to greater economic resilience.