The
resistance movements are still being inspired by his academic discourse,
challenging imperialism across the world.
Three
revolutions shook the world in the 20th century. Both the Russian and the
Chinese experience had a wide appeal for two reasons: they came in the wake of
an oppressive capitalist system, which had squeezed the blood of the
downtrodden sections of society; and, the change was based on an ideology that
was new, and rather novel, for those who had been afflicted by the exploitative
bourgeoisie and the tyrannical church.
The
Iranian revolution was, however, unique, for it neither derailed the human soul
from the root of its faith nor bereaved it of the fruits of social uplift; a
thing considered, particularly in conservative societies, as repugnant to the
spirit of religion.
The
greatness of Imam Khomeini lies, not in his being a religious cleric but in his
universal approach to life in all its aspects and manifestations.
The
Imam infused the spirit of Islam in the Iranian youth but did not leave them to
be swayed by the specific interpretation of faith, common to the contemporary
half-educated clerics. He gave them a vision that could see worldly affairs and
the religious faith as two aspects of the same unit of life.
The
17th century Industrial Revolution in the West had shaped the direction of
Western socio-political thoughts as well as the future practical experience
pursued by the comparatively secular Far Eastern societies, but thinkers in the
Islamic world still wandered in the deserts of bewilderment.
Not
that Islam had lost its vigour to lead man through the ages, but lack of
ijtihad had rendered it a mere collection of rituals to ward off evil spirits
and attain paradise. What was missing was the realization that Islam is a
complete code of individual and collective life and it offers the best solution
to the minutest problems of all societies at all times.
The
onslaught of Western thought had already shaken the hearts of Muslim scholars
like Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Syed Qutub, Moulana Maudoodi and they confined
themselves to recollecting Islamic thoughts and reorganizing the political
forces of the Muslims. Only Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Imam Khomeini could crown
their efforts by practically shaping human societies according to their ideals;
the misfortune of the Pakistani nation being that their benefactor could not
live long to guide them into their new life.
The
leadership capabilities of Imam Khomeini would look more distinct when viewed
against the background of life in Iran before the Islamic Revolution. Backed by
the county’s rich influential class and the mighty world powers, on the one
hand, and the most Westernized Iranian class, on the other, Reza Shah, was
inculcating the thought that Islam was unable to meet the modern-day challenges
of the Iranian society. As a result, Western culture and values dominated Iran
to the extent that terms like Islamic culture, Islamic values, and Muslim
nationalism were considered to be outmoded terms.
The
pre-Islamic Revolution Iran was virtually the most Westernized country of the
Muslim world. It was not called the Switzerland of the East just for its
natural beauty. It was rather due to the fact that Western values were being
popularized among the Iranian people to be followed blindly.
In
such an environment, those defending and promoting religious ideologies were
being looked at with contempt and treated awfully and this had created an
inferiority complex among the youth, struggling for the supremacy of Islamic
values.
Inspired
by true Islam and Islamic teachings, the late Imam Khomeini had to fight
against all these odds with an ideology that, according to most of his
countrymen, Islamic teachings were out of fashion and were in no position to
meet the modern-day challenges.
Imam
Khomeini brought these dejected youths out of the slums of inferiority complex
and infused a spirit of self-respect and self-esteem in them; teaching them
that not the teddy pro-Westerners but those proud of Islamic culture were the
ones who could boast of being followed by others. He also created
self-confidence among the Iranian youth, giving them the power to change the
destiny of their nation.
Prior
to the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian youth considered the Westerners as a
superior being, capable to show marvels in all fields of science and arts and
worthy to be followed but they became convinced of their ability to shape the
future of their nation and excel in all areas of science and technology.
It
was this spiritual change that made the Iranian youth fight against the cruel
forces of the Shah, making them an iron wall against the oppressive and
tyrannical might of the state. This spiritual potentiality convinced the
Iranian youth that they can trample down all the hurdles in the way of their
revolution.
Modern-day
Iran is rightly the manifestation of the religio-political wisdom of Imam
Khomeini. The state and the society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, today,
give the look of a compact whole; a society of unity in the diversities of
religion and a champion in the comity of Muslim nations that possesses all the
capabilities to attain material and scientific development. Despite the hurdles
and the hardships created by the antagonistic Western powers and in spite of an
eight-year-long imposed war by Iraqi Saddam Hussain, today the Iranian society
stands out, in many aspects, in the societies of the East.
Culturally,
the revolutionary Iranian nation is exemplary. With 83 percent of its
population educated, Iran today represents a society of high morale and energy
in the region. From political administration and statehood, the socio-economic
management, from agriculture to industry, from defense to defense production,
and from education to science and technology; post-Revolution Iran is
considered to be a success.
Another
distinction of the Iranian revolution is that, contrary to other Eastern and
Muslim communities, the Islamic Republic has fully engaged its women folk in
the socio-economic and political life, making them a useful and essential
component of the society. Today, women can be seen working in all sectors and
fields of Iranian national life. Without this factor, the dream of creating an
advanced and stable society could have not been realized. Such a big social
upheaval would have never been possible in a male-dominated Eastern society.
The
Iranian nation is certainly very fortunate that they not only found a legendary
leader like Imam Khomeini leading them through all stages of moral and material
promotion. Very few reformers in the history of mankind have been capable of
achieving the fruits of their struggle during their lifetime.
Ayatollah
Ruhollah Mousavi Khomeini, better known as Imam Khomeini, engineered Iran’s
1979 Islamic Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the US-backed Shah of
Iran. Imam Khomeini passed away on June 4, 1989, at the age of 87. Every year,
the anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s demise is marked with a ceremony at his
mausoleum in the presence of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Rasheed Ahmad Chughtai, President of the Islamic United Council
of Pakistan and Chief Editor of International Page (thepageintl.pk@gmail.com)
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