The revolutionary thought of Imam Khomeini (God’s mercy upon him), as the first Vali-e Faqih (Supreme Jurisprudent) and Leader of a religious revolution, is very important due to the bright and spectacular achievements that has gained for the Iranian society in cultural, scientific, humane, political and military dimensions and has succeeded to create an active kind of independence-seeking against colonialism, particularly in Western Asia from Lebanon to Yemen.
Imam Khomeini (God's mercy upon him) theoretically started the Islamic movement in Iran through revival of the theory of Islamic rule. He announced the royal rule as illegitimate and rejected any rule except the rule based on the divine teachings.
The Imam promoted theory of caliphate, constitutionalist kingdom and Vilayat-e Faqih (Rule of Supreme Jurisprudent) to the "theory of Islamic Republic". This was one of the basic differences of Imam Khomeini's Islamic movement and other Islamic movements.
Overthrowing the Iranian royal rule with the leadership of a religious source of emulation and foundation of Islamic Republic has been the most important victory of the Islamic Awakening movement in the contemporary era.
The most important theoretical achievement of Imam Khomeini and his companions was the ratification of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic. For the first time, the theory of administration of the Islamic society, according to the requirements of time and place in the modern era, was compiled in an applied way and ratified by the elite and selected representatives of the nation and every individual of the nation. The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the sum of the Islamic teachings, the managerial experience and collective wisdom of mankind since Renaissance. The content of the Constitution is based on Islam and its form is based on human collective wisdom in the era of modernity. In view of this, the principle of council, which is the essence of the national participation in decision-making, is manifested in the Constitution in the principle of separation of powers and formation of the executive, judiciary, Council of Islamic Assembly (legislature), Guardian Council, Assembly of Experts, Expediency Council, Supreme Council of National Security and city councils.
Imam Khomeini simultaneously stood against the Eastern and Western blocs and founded the "Resistance Front of the Islamic Ummah" in the Islamic world against despotism and excessive demands of the US and Zionism.
The Islamic Revolution of Iran led by Imam Khomeini changed the intellectual and political equations of the Islamic Ummah and the world. Impacted by the victory of the Islamic Revolution, a new era titled the "Era of Islamic Revolution Discourse", "Political Islam" and "Religious Rule" began in the international relations and political-revolutionary thought in the world.
Principles of Imam Khomeini's political thoughts
As for the internal dimension, the Imam considers people on tip of all affairs, and in the external dimension, countering colonialism and convergence of Muslims is the essential concern of Imam Khomeini's politics. Insertion of people's will and view in lawmaking and decision-making is among his important ideas based on his way of Ijtihad which is opposite to the perception of dictatorial and despotic thoughts with the motto of Islam. Some of the statements of Imam Khomeini which reveal the theoretical dimensions of politics and governance from his point of view are as follows:
- Principle of Islamic rule
"The three principles of the Islamic rule are: first, the necessity of justice of the Islamic ruler; second the freedom of Muslims in voting the ruler and determining their fate; and the third is the independence of the Islamic country against the interference of foreigners and their dominance on the affairs of Muslims."
- Republic
"The Islamic Republic rule is both a republic like other republics but its law is Islamic."
- Duties of the Islamic Republic
"The basis of function of the Islamic Republic is to maintain independence of the country, freedom of our nation, struggle against corruption and indecency and regulation and compilation of laws in order to practice necessary reforms in all economic, political, social and cultural fields with respect to the Islamic criteria. These reforms will materialize with the complete participation of people and the aim is, first of all, to eradicate poverty and reform life conditions for overwhelming majority of our people who have been wronged in every aspect."
- Status of parliament and lawmaking
"The Council of National Assembly means that the nation elects representatives freely and they sit and consult in the affairs of the country."
- Election and public will
"One of the most important primary duties of the group, who take over the affairs after the fall of the Shah, is to provide the conditions of free election so that no enforcement of power and influence takes place in the election by any class or group."
- Principles and bases of foreign policy
The policy of the Islamic government will be to preserve independence and freedom of nation, government and country and mutual respect after full independence, and there is no difference between superpowers and others."
- Issue of Palestine and freedom-seekers of world
"The Iranian nation has always supported the struggle of all freedom-seekers, especially the Palestinian brothers against the invading Israel. We have always supported their movement and helped them as much as possible."
- Unity of Muslims
"The idea of unity of Muslims and Islamic governments is on top of the programs of my life. I am worried about the differences of the Islamic governments. I am afraid of the events which lead to the rift between Muslims and their governments."
- The oppressed and social justice
"I hope that with the materialization of the Islamic Republic, and our success and your success to set up such an Islamic justice, the problem of all of us will be solved, the problem of employees will be solved and the problem of workers will be solved."
"In the Islamic Republic, the oppressed should be supported. The oppressed should be strengthened, [and] totally changed."
- Freedom
"Freedom belongs to people. Law has given freedom. God has given freedom to people. Islam has given freedom. The Constitution has given freedom to people."
- Justice
"Islam's God is Just, its Prophet is just and its Infallible Imam is just. Thus, its judge is valid once he is just."
- Human rights
"Freedom of expression, freedom of elections, freedom of press, freedom of radio and TV, propaganda; these are among human rights and the most basic human rights."
"As long as there is no spiritual support, human being will not be reformed. Reform of human being and preservation of human rights will not be possible unless their support is spiritual source."
- Eradication of colonialism
"The difference among the heads of the Islamic governments, which is the heritage of tribal and barbaric era and has been created by foreigners to keep nations backward, has denied them the opportunity to think on their benefits. The spirit of disappointment and despair, which has been breathed by colonialism among nations and even the Islamic leaders, has prevented them from contemplating over solution. It is hoped that the youth, who have not reached the frailty and weakness of old age, will be able to awaken nations by any possible means."
- Criticism of the US
"Ignoring the rights of hundreds of millions of Muslims, making the ruffians dominant over their destiny and giving opportunity to the hollow Israeli regime to usurp the rights of Muslims, seize their freedom and treat them in a Medieval way, are the crimes that are registered in the case of the American presidents."
Sum
Imam Khomeini (God's mercy upon him) strove, in theory and practice, to present a new way for administration of the Islamic society with respect to the requirements of the contemporary time and place. To do this, he put forward numerous innovations and showed that the Islamic jurisprudence and political philosophy, with regards to the time and place, have the capacity to present new plans for administration of society. The essence of Islam's political thought is the just distribution of power and people's practical participation in determining their fate. The natural duty of the ruling system is to provide people's livelihood and establish freedom and justice.
Sources:
Seyyed Salman Safavi. Imam Khomeini; Ideologue of Islamic Republic Theory
Sahifeh
of Imam: Collection of Imam Khomeini's works, statements, messages,
interviews, laws, religious permissions and letters, The Institute of
Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works
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