Imam Khomeini, A Top Figure in Fiqh, Politics and Mysticism

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Among the forerunner of Islamic mysticism is the late Imam Khomeini (RA) who was not only a great figure in mysticism but also in politics and Fiqh (jurisprudence).  This is according to Hojat-ol-Islam Dr Mohammad Taqi Fa’alli, seminary and university scholar and author of 9 books about newly emerging spiritual movements. He was speaking in the first session of a series held at the Iranian Quranic News Agency to discuss false mystic cults.  He said since the beginning of Imam Zaman (may God hasten his glad advent) occultation, there has been no one like Imam Khomeini (RA) reaching the pinnacle in all the three fields of Fiqh, politics and mysticism.  According to Hojat-ol-Islam Fa’alli, the Quran and Hadith are the two sources of pure Islamic mysticism, adding that the third source is supplications. “Supplications are in fact a kind of Hadith, but due to their paramount importance we consider them as a third source for pure Islamic mysticism.”  He asked if supplications are not considered mysticism, what can be? “Mysticism means speaking with God and this is exactly the case with supplications.”  The scholar referred to the books “Mafatih-ul-Jinan” and “Sahifeh Sajjadiyeh” as two main, rich sources for Islamic mysticism. “Mafatih-ul-Jinan is an abridged version of the book Iqbal-ul-A’amal by Sayyid ibn Tawus who was a legendary figure in Shia mysticism and prayer.”  He regretted that in the history of Islam tens of books have been written on mysticism by Sunni scholars, but none by Shia scholars. “If [the history of] Shia mysticism is going to be written down, certainly the name of by Sayyid ibn Tawus will be mentioned as a shining star in the field. He has written 49 books, 19 of them specifically featuring supplications. One of his masterpieces in the book Iqbal-ul-A’amal which is a sourcebook for everyone who has written about prayer and mysticism.”  Hojat-ol-Islam Fa’alli then turned to the issue of false mystic cults and said while pure mysticism is available within Islamic sources, because they have not been provided to the public, new false mysticism has gained popularity. He wondered whether such individuals like Anthony Robbins, Spencer Johnson, Brian Tracy and Deepak Chopra would have anything to say once true Islamic mysticism is presented to people.  He said many books related to psychology of success have been written and translated into Persian, adding that 30 books by Robbins have been rendered into Persian, as well as many works by Wayne Dyer, Catherine Ponder and others. “In total, there are some 1500 books in Persian about success psychology”, he said, adding that the content of all of these books is not comparable to one word of one aphorism of Nahj-ol-Balaqa.  He then returned to the forerunners of Islamic mysticism and mentioned the name of great figures like Sheikh Jafar Shoushtari, Mirza Hossein Qoli Hamedani, Bahari Hamedani, Seyyed Ahmad Karbalayi, Mirza Javad Agha Maleki Tabrizi, Ayatollah Shahabadi, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Ghazi Tabatabaee, Allameh Tabatabaee and Imam Khomeini (RA).  He said Imam Khomeini (RA) for 5 years studied mysticism with Mirza Javad Agha Maleki Tabrizi , who is the author of important books in the field including “Al-Muraghibat”, “Ligha-ullah Treatise”, and “Secrets of Prayer”.  Hojat-ol-Islam Fa’alli added that Imam Khomeini (RA), too, wrote 6 major works in the field of Islamic mysticism, including “Sirr-us-Salat”, “Sahar Prayer”, and “Misbah-ul-Hidaya ila Khilafa and Vilaya”.  He went on to say that there are many intricate mystical points in the latter book and grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli has pointed out over 20 times that even he, a great thinker and scholar, does not understand some of the lofty points mentioned in the book./129