Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Unique Movement (1)

Once Ayatollah Khamenei said, “The great personality of the contemporary era, Imam Khomeini (God’s mercy upon him), was a pious scholar, virtuous and wise politician, innovative faithful and brave and intelligent gnostic, just ruler and devoted combatant. He was a jurisprudent, a philosopher and a teacher of ethics, a literary figure and a poet.”

The Islamic revolution of Iran is a great, glorious and effective movement. But as the leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says this revolution is not known anywhere in the world without the name of Khomeini. Actually, Imam Khomeini’s role in leading the great uprising of the Iranian people was so prominent that victory was never imaginable without his clever guidelines. For this reason, the events related to Imam Khomeini have been registered as the revolution’s major part. The events like his arrest and exile in 1964 and his return home on February 1^st, 1979 are among the milestones of the course of the revolution. His splendid return had a wonderful impact on the victory of the Islamic revolution on February 11.

Now after 38 years of the triumph of the Islamic revolution, it is clear that this great revolution has been the world's most effective event which not only has not declined but its influence has increased day by day. Imam Khomeini (God’s mercy upon him) enjoyed very lofty traits and in practice proved that he is a great and unique leader for the Islamic movement of Iranian people.   

The most important characteristic of Imam Khomeini which distinguishes him from the leaders of other revolutions was his firm belief in Islam as a liberating religion. Basically the Imam was an outstanding religious scholar who had broad knowledge in jurisprudence, ethics, Gnosticism and Islamic philosophy. Hence, the Muslim people of Iran are committed to follow him.

Iranian people considered their late leader as a person who practices the teachings of Islam and the holy Quran. The founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran deeply believed in these teachings and like some other leaders of revolutions never abused power and popularity to gain vested interests. Imam Khomeini’s firm faith in God always caused him to view himself in the presence of God. As the holy Quran says in Surah Ra’d, ayah 28:

“Those who have faith, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah.’ Look! The hearts find rest in Allah’s remembrance!”

This solace was very influential and determining during the struggles and facing problems. For instance, when Imam Khomeini decided to return after 14 years on February 1, 1979, the Shah regime threatened to down his plane. But with absolute trust in God, the Imam put his decision into effect. It is noteworthy that those who accompanied him described his spirit as high with no fear or concern.

Therefore, the Imam’s reliance on God during the campaign and after it, in addition to internal tranquility made him uniquely brave. Truly, Imam Khomeini was not afraid of anyone, any government or any power except God. Verse 30 of Surah Fussilat explains that asset and says:

“Indeed those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah!’ and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them, [saying,] ‘Do not fear, nor be grieved! Receive the good news of the paradise which you have been promised.”

There have been many leaders who, due to fear and conservativeness, have compromised with the enemy and forgotten the ideals of their revolution. But the late leader of the Islamic revolution not only feared no power in the world but with his brave speech and deeds he sent shivers to the enemies’ spine.

Imam Khomeini’s courage instilled courage in people and officials. The Imam never was afraid of the suppressive Pahlavi regime and his revealing speeches and statements created self-confidence among people during the struggles. Regarding his arrest in 1964, Imam Khomeini says: “By God I never feared. The night that SAVAK agents took me they were afraid and I soothed them.” The Imam not only did not fear the despotic Pahlavi regime but he was not afraid of its master the US, either and several times he humiliated this hegemonic power. The Imam called the US as the Great Satan and invited all oppressed and downtrodden people to rise against the oppressors. He explicitly said: “We have started our ceaseless campaign against the US and we hope that our children with getting rid of the clutches of the oppressor will hoist the banner of monotheism in the world. We are certain that if we continue our duty, which is campaign against the criminal US, our children will experience the taste of victory.”  

When the Islamic revolution gained victory, revolutions and socio-political developments in various countries used to tilt toward one of the communist or capitalist blocs for help. But Imam Khomeini with his sharp insight and as an outstanding religious scholar proposed the Islamic system to the Iranian people and the people warmly welcomed it. Regarding such a system of government, the Imam said briefly: “We want Islamic Republic. Republic determines the type of the government and Islam determines its content which is the divine laws.” So the Islam regarded by Imam Khomeini was not limited to merely worship but was comprehensive involved in every personal and social aspect of human life including administration of the government. The Imam described such an Islam as pure Mohammedan Islam and the distorted approach, which restricted this great religion solely to individual worships and issues and ignored campaign against oppressors, as the American Islam.  

Imam Khomeini’s simple life was another outstanding characteristic which stemmed from Islamic teachings. While the world leaders and politicians lived in luxurious palaces, the Imam, following the holy Prophet of Islam and his infallible Ahl al-Bayt, led a very simple and pious life in a way that many foreign officials who met the Imam were amazed at such simple life of the leader of the greatest revolution in the contemporary era. This simple life created deep bond and love for the Imam among people.

Many politicians and leaders keep praising people in their speeches and slogans but in practice they prioritize their vested and partisan interests. But since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini (God’s mercy upon him) paid a special attention to people. The Imam considered the revolution viable merely through disclosing realities and awakening people. Reciprocally, the people very much loved the Imam and followed his guidelines with certainty. Examples of this obedience and love can be observed in people’s sacrifices for the victory of the revolution and their massive presence and resistance in the 8-year holy defense against Saddam’s aggressive army and its paymasters in Washington and elsewhere. Imam Khomeini humbly called himself the servant of people and stressed that the officials must be at the service of people, saying, “If people support a government it will never be overthrown.”

Insight and prudence were among the salient characteristics of Imam Khomeini. The Imam heeded domestic and foreign developments more than others. Years prior to the victory of the Islamic revolution, the Imam started his campaign, enlightened the people and brought up revolutionary persons. After the revolution, the Imam’s accuracy and foresight rescued Iran from dangers. His recommendations on leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei after him were one of aspects of his foresight.

Now, 27 years after Ayatollah Khamenei’s clever leadership, one can realize how much Imam Khomeini was aware of the capabilities of his bright and wise student in the fields of policy and religion especially safeguarding the Islamic revolution. Ayatollah Khamenei says, “The great personality of the contemporary era, Imam Khomeini (God’s mercy upon him), was a pious scholar, a virtuous and wise politician, an innovative faithful, a brave and intelligent gnostic, a just ruler and a devoted combatant. He was a jurisprudent, a philosopher, a teacher of ethics, a literary figure and a poet.

FK/RM/MG