Sayyid Ruhollah Khomeini

Sayyid Ruhollah Khomeini is a pivotal figure whose teachings have reverberated through the corridors of Shia Islam and beyond, captivating the minds of followers and scholars alike. His intellectual legacy is imprinted onto the very identity of contemporary Shia thought, inviting both adulation and critiques. This exploration of Khomeini’s teachings will delineate the core tenets of his philosophy, the context of his life, and the profound fascination he triggers, addressing common observations while hinting at deeper undercurrents that underpin his enduring influence.

Born in 1902 in Iran, Khomeini emerged from a lineage of clerics steeped in Shia scholarship and religious authority. His educational journey saw him delve into the intricacies of Islamic jurisprudence, philosophy, and ethics, notably at the revered seminary in Qom. Khomeini’s intellectual maturation occurred against a backdrop of sociopolitical upheaval. Iran’s modernization efforts, particularly during the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi, and the secularization movement incited a backlash among the religious elite. It was within this climate of discontent that Khomeini began to articulate a vision that intertwined faith with governance, culminating in his seminal work, “Islamic Government: Governance of the Jurist.”

At the crux of Khomeini’s philosophy is the concept of Velayat-e Faqih, or the Guardianship of the Jurist. This doctrine posits that a qualified Islamic jurist should wield authority over the state, ensuring that governance is aligned with Islamic principles. Khomeini’s argument for the necessity of a theocratic regime arose from an acute awareness of the societal void left by Western influence. He postulated that secular governance detaches moral considerations from political authority, ultimately eroding social cohesion. Consequently, his vision called for a return to a government rooted in the tenets of Islam, designed to safeguard the spiritual and political integrity of the nation.

Khomeini’s emphasis on Velayat-e Faqih not only served to mobilize the masses during the Iranian Revolution of 1979 but also instigated a broader call for Islamic governance across the Shia world. By advocating for the fusion of religion and politics, Khomeini ignited fervor among devout Muslims who perceived in him a harbinger of divine justice against tyrannies imposed by foreign powers and corrupt local regimes. This intersection of faith and political agency resonates deeply within Shia communities, who often view the cleric as a custodian of their religious and national aspirations.