The Quran and the Islamic Revolution (1)

The Islamic Revolution which gained victory under the leadership of Imam Khomeini on February 11, 1979 is based on a specific political thought, namely, the Islamic and Quranic thought. Every movement and revolution is originated in a certain type of thinking that functions as its intellectual backbone. The past record of major revolutions is a proof to this.

The Quran is the most important source of Islamic teachings. Along with other sources of religious knowledge, it is considered as the main source of instruction and guideline for every cultural, social, political, economic, family, administrative affair. The revolutionary move of the Iranian nation against the despotic regime of Shah also began through inspiration of the noble Qur'an. Part of verse 11 of chapter Ra'd of the noble Qur'an reads,

"Indeed Allah does not change a people’s lot, unless they change what is in their souls."

The Islamic Revolution is considered as a return to the Quran, as the leader of this revolution, Imam Khomeini, followed the model of the divine messengers, especially the Prophet of Islam and his infallible successors, namely the 12 Imams of his household, to stand against despotism and oppression. Returning to the Quran will cause Muslims to fight colonialism and tyranny. Thus, they will not bow to the mercenary regimes in their countries. The outcome of these struggles is to achieve dignity, honor, and, most importantly, proximity to God Almighty. We read in verse 7 of chapter Muhammad of the Qur'an:

"O you who have faith! If you help Allah, He will help you and make your feet steady."

The tremendous victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran was a very conspicuous example of God's help. As a result, the sacrifices of the Iranian Muslim nation for realizing the rule of truth and justice of the Quran yielded fruit and the Islamic Republic system was established which continues to serve as a role model for the oppressed and downtrodden nations. Imam Khomeini founded his movement on the basis of the Quran and got all his ideas and ideals from the Quran. He always tried to explain the principles of the Quran in administering the government and society in accordance with what God says. Imam Khomeini (God's mercy upon him) describes the purpose of the movement and revolution as follows: "We have no destination. We want neither rule in the sense that those great powers want nor power in that sense. We do not want dominance. We all want to follow the noble Quran and dear Islam. The noble Quran and dear Islam run everything of us."

The Imam emphasized the presence of the Quran in all aspects of human life. He believed that putting into practice the political laws of Islam, which are mentioned in the Quran, will lead to the supremacy of Muslims, and if Muslim states and nations, instead of relying on colonial powers had relied on Islam and used the luminous teachings of the Quran, they would have not been captivated by arrogant regimes such as the Zionist and American aggressors. Imam Khomeini, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, wished to lead the Muslims of Iran and the world to association with the Quran. Because alienation and separation from the Quran and its life-inspiring teachings will cause intellectual and practical deviations in the society. Therefore, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, tendency of the system and the people to the noble Quran increased; therefore, Quranic activities such as popular Quranic circles, Quranic competitions, training and dispatching Quranic reciters as promoters of the Islamic Republic, publication of the Quran have increased in such a way that over the past 40 years the Islamic Republic of Iran has had the honor of gaining almost 180 international ranks by representatives and activists in the field of Quranic activities and significant participation in international competitions.

Due to its attractiveness of its slogans and goals, the Islamic Revolution has brought the Quran from the margin to the center of life, from the individual to the social domain; and has become an important and influential phenomenon in today's world. The Quran, which is the basis of the Islamic Revolution, has informed the human community of the message that dignity and blessings belong to the faithful and the pious. The enemies made strenuous efforts to distort the credibility of this rich divine Book, but in the light of attention to and practice of the Quran, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been able to stand forty years against Global Arrogance, make progress, and go from strength to strength every year. In today's world of disbelief in God and dependence on ungodly rules, the Islamic Republic of Iran spreads the message of faith in God and freedom from the yoke of the arrogant and ungodly rules. In the next episodes of the series "The Quran and the Islamic Revolution" we will further discuss the Quranic activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran and its impact on the lives of Iranians.