Imam Khomeini (R.A.), Islamic Revolution of Iran and Islamic Awakening

Our divine movement nullified the calculations of the experts… The calculations of the materialists who assumed that it was impossible for our nation to crush the great powers with bare hands turned out to be wrong. Those who questioned how a bunch of youth working in the bazaars and teachers without having anything could defeat a regime that had everything at its disposal, realized that their materialistic calculations were void. Here, it is a divine calculation; here the Hand of God is at work. Individuals cannot create such a movement and such a force. Mankind cannot awaken all the sections in this manner; mankind cannot enable the men and women of a country; the child and adolescent of a country, to become self-sacrificing. It is the Hand of God and it is the divine will, which caused all sections of the nation to become brothers and invalidate all the calculations of the material pundits” .1

Victory of the Islamic Revolution under Imam Khomeini's leadership in is regarded as one of the most significant events of the 20th century. The world witnessed the emergence of Imam Khomeini, one of the most influential personalities in the Islamic world. Although he emerged in Iran, but his character made him an infra-national figure. Due to his particular attention towards religion, the Islamic movement made a constant progress and expanded in the Middle East following the victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran.

The Iranian Revolution (also known as the Islamic Revolution or Revolution, (Enghelābe Eslāmi) refers to events involving the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (r), the leader of the revolution .2

The discourse of intellectual discussions that were formed following the success of revolution, called into question some of the previous religious practices, which had been entirely, detached from politics. It also made best use of several terminologies from other political disciplines and interacted with several systems in order to enhance the functions of Shiia school of thought.

The Islamic revolution also intended to enhance people's power and wanted to relieve them from the undesired state to an acceptable situation by employing changes in key faculties and institutions.

Some analysts have described the Islamic revolution in Iran as following: "Verily, the Islamic revolution led by Imam Khomeini (r) does not have any precedent in the past. The various social revolutions that took place in various parts of the world over past course of time intended to change just certain political system. Most of these revolutions were stemmed from poverty and economic problems. The national revolutions were also mostly triggered by anger of nations from the exploiters and plunderers. The Islamic Revolution of Iran included all these reasons, but it also carried new concepts and meanings as well. These new concepts not only forced out the government of exploiters, but also presented a particular worldview and revolutionized the theory of confrontation between religion and science." 3

The Islamic Revolution of Iran and revival of the Islamic Identity. Imam Khomeini in many occasions had stated that: “It is not concealed from anyone that the motive behind the Islamic Revolution of Iran and the secret of its victory was Islam; and our nation, throughout the country, from the capital or the remotest towns and villages and settlements, by sacrificing their blood and the cry of" Allahu akbar"4 demanded the establishment of an Islamic republic; and in the unprecedented and amazing referendum, almost unanimously voted for an Islamic republic; and the Muslim and non-Muslim governments recognized the regime and the government of Iran as an" Islamic Republic". With regard to the above circumstances, the constitution and the rest of the laws in this republic must be based one-hundred percent on Islam. And even if a single article contravenes the tenets of Islam, it is violation of the republic and the almost unanimous majority of the nation” .5

According to some experts and researchers, the Islamic Revolution was one of the major factors that influenced the awareness of the Muslims and enhanced the Islamic activities in different Muslim societies.

Imam Khomeini (r), who revived the political Islam and called it as a pure Mohammedan Islam, harmonized between politics and religion and brought Islam back in the heart of society and politics. As a result, he revived abandoned literature and culture of Islam such as martyrdom, struggle for Allah, resistance and combat against tyranny. The Islamic Revolution Iran is an amazing phenomenon in the modern World that intended to revive the Islams dignity among the Muslim World.

Characteristics of the Islamic Revolution

The Islamic revolution presents a comprehensive and multi-dimensional system in areas of religion, politics, economy society and culture. It will also further raise awareness among the oppressed and the deprived and creates suitable ground for self-awareness and self-reliance, self-confidence and the Islamic awakening. Islamic revolution also emphasizes the significance of freedom movements, including Islamic and anti-colonial struggle as new players in international system. It also insists on freedom ideals, social justice, and negation of the external powers and necessity of dynamic management to handle the political and social changes.

Some characteristics of the Islamic revolution are:

1. Freedom from dictatorship

2. Strength of Unity

3. Law and justice

4. Self-reliance and self-esteem,

5. Independent identity (Neither East nor West),

6. Islamic/global awakening

Therefore, this revolution has been constant target of the propaganda of western and evil powers.

Due to its non-dependence on super powers, the revolution could overcome the strong military powers with the power of faith. This, all, happened despite the fact that Iran was under all kinds of pressures by foes and had suffered from shortages.

The Islamic revolution has gained great achievements on domestic and international arena. It has also revived Islam and motivated Islamic movement in different parts of the Islamic world. The Islamic revolution fulfilled the Imams ideals as it removed sectarian and ethnic tensions and instead raised awareness among the Muslims across the Islamic world.

References:

1. Sahifeh Noor, vol. 7, p. 174

2. Islamic Revolution of Iran, MS Encarta. Archived.

3. The financial press, Vol, 20 No, 387 Regd No DA 1589

4. God is Greater than everything and to be described

5. Sahifeh Noor, vol. 9, p. 280