The Theological Foundations of Resistance in Imam Khomeini’s Thought

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Shiite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Law and Comparative Jurisprudence, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

3 PhD. Student, Department of Shiite Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

10.22081/jips.2025.78116

Abstract

Imam Khomeini made significant strides in utilizing theological foundations
and, through his interpretations, derived notable and decisive insights. His personality
is unparalleled in the contemporary era, embodying a multifaceted human being with expertise in fields such as jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence, theology, mysticism, politics, and governance. These various dimensions of his thought and character are intricately intertwined, making it challenging for researchers to isolate any single feature. However, to understand Imam Khomeini’s ideas, one must delve into the foundational principles behind his thoughts. For many years, the concept of resistance has taken on a distinctive and special form, its essence and authenticity deeply rooted in Shiite theological principles. The innovator, interpreter, propagator, and promoter of this concept is none other than Imam Khomeini. His thought, based on Shiite theological foundations, has followers from every corner of the world-east and west, from every religion and sect, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, and from all races, genders, and countries. Imam Khomeini’s philosophy of resistance is derived from Shiite teachings, grounded in the Quran, the Sunnah, and reason. This philosophy, which is continuously evolving in the form of opposition to arrogance and the fight against polytheism, infidelity, and atheism, is based on Quranic teachings and the theological thought of Twelver Shiism. It transcends time, place, and geography and is never subject to cessation. Therefore, this research aims to elucidate the theological foundations of the theory of resistance in Imam Khomeini’s thought and to derive the results of his theological perspective. It will answer the question: What are the theological foundations of the deep and profound concept of resistance in Imam Khomeini’s view? This article is based on archival research and employs historical, interpretive, comparative, and content analysis methods. In this study, various subjects from Imam Khomeini’s viewpoint are addressed, including: divine monotheism, practical monotheism (including sincerity and piety), divine justice (including fate and free will), prophethood and the prophets, leadership and the concept of the Guardianship of the Jurist (Wilāyat-i Faqīh), the principle of governance, the belief in Mahdism and the reappearance of the Imam of the time and waiting for his return, resurrection, martyrdom, the command to enjoin good and forbid evil, unity, steadfastness, opposition to arrogance, following the guidance of a single religious leader, success in fulfilling duties, and both faithful and
non-faithful resistance. Ultimately, the outcome of this research highlights the unique perspective of Twelver Shiism in confronting oppression and the oppressors, underscoring the necessity of resistance and perseverance against them, even to the point of voluntary death, which is martyrdom. Imam Khomeini revived this outlook in the contemporary world and added a crucial element: the resistance to oppression itself, positioning it alongside the concepts of the oppressor and the oppressed, or the dominant and the dominated. This perspective was then gifted to the world today. The practical outcome of Imam Khomeini's resistance philosophy is the global struggle against imperialism, which today is manifested in the resistance front’s battle against the forces of evil, namely the United States and Israel, as we witness in the ongoing global resistance movement.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Islamic Political Studies
Volume 7, Issue 1
January 2025
Pages 189-210

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