Islamism Is Incomplete Without Mentioning Imam Khomeini

By Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, New Age Islam 6 July 2022 Among All the Ideologues of Islamic State, Political Islam, Islamism Only Imam Khomeini Can Be Attributed With Creating an Islamic State Main Points: 1. Imam Khomeini's ancestral roots can be traced to Kashmir. 2. Among Islamists only Imam Khomeini could establish an Islamic State. 3. Imam Khomeini's Fatwa against Salman Rushdie was uncalled for and did more harm to Islam than build its positive image. ------ Marhoom Imam Khomeini Aur Kashmir (Late Imam Khomeini and Kashmir) Author: Shafi Ahmad Qadri Publisher: Sheikh Ghulam Muhammad & Sons, Tajiran e Qutb, Srinagar, Kashmir. Year of Publication: 2022 Price: Rs 695 Pages: 141 ISBN: 9789384019747 ---- Islamism or political Islam is incomplete without mentioning Imam Khomeini. Among all the ideologues of Islamic state, political Islam, Islamism, if we mention the terms synonymously although these all convey different meanings and define variegated phenomenon academically, only Imam Khomeini can be attributed with creating an Islamic state. From Maulana Mawdudi to Syed Qutb, Hassan Al Banna to Taqiuddin al Nabhani, all have conceptualized, explained and struggled to establish an Islamic state but it was Imam Khomeini only whose struggle at establishing an Islamic state was successful in Iran. Since the Islamic revolution in Iran (1979), scholars have engaged with the thoughts, works and activism of Imam Khomeini. There has been engagement both at academic and theological level. Some have appreciated this revolution, others have condemned it, while few have explained the reasons for the success of Imam Khomeini and how he ushered a revolution. Many Sunni scholars have dubbed this revolution as Shia one, only to seek to diminish its appeal and appreciation. There is quite little written literature available by Sunni scholars about Imam Khomeini or his revolution. Mostly the works available particularly in vernacular Urdu are written as a rebuttal to Imam Khomeini and Iranian revolution. Maulana Manzoor Noamani’s book, Shi’ism, Imam Khomeini and Iranian Revolution is a manifestation of the same literature of refutation. It is quite interesting that Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi who was a stalwart scholar and always stood for unity among various Muslim sects, wrote a foreword praising this work, that condemned Shi’ism, Imam Khomeini and Iranian revolution, dubbing it as unIslamic. This book was then circulated in huge numbers with the help of Saudi Arabia, to diffuse the energy and inspiration that Iranian revolution had inculcated in the Muslim world. The present work by a seasoned writer of Kashmir, Shafi Ahmad Qadri, transcends the sectarian boundaries to appreciate the contribution of Imam Khomeini and Iranian Revolution. It locates Imam Khomeini in the Kashmiri milieu because his ancestors belonged to Kashmir valley and then migrated to Iran. This work reads as a biography of the Imam, depicting his turbulent childhood as his father is killed during his infancy. Then it deals with his education and also the prevalent political climate under the monarch, Reza Shah Pehlavi. Imam Khomeini since his youth is involved with religious interpretation and political activism against Shah. Shafi Qadri, although does not engage too much with Imam Khomeini’s Ijtihad. It was Imam who conceptualized Vilayat e Faqih, otherwise Shias were waiting for Imam Mahdi to deliver them from tyranny. They would never have dared to rebel against Pahlavi, had it not been for Imam as well as the communists. The role of communists has been condemned only by the Islamists but their role in the struggle against Pehlavi needs appreciation too. They were also responsible for instilling among people courage to stand up against the atrocities of the monarch. So it was Imam’s Ijtihad that informed the masses that help will not come from Mahdi, but they have to prepare themselves to fight, resist and usher a revolution. Imam led the revolution, once it was realized he also fought the counter revolutionary forces, something that Muslim Brotherhood under Muhammad Morsi, failed to undertake resulting in the establishment of the military dictatorship of Abdul Fateh al Sisi. He also led Iran during the decade long Iran-Iraq war that was part of the move of the counter revolutionary forces to shatter the image and energy of the revolution. In this war Muslims fought each other and their nations regressed and were destroyed as a result of this protracted war. The anti-Shah political activism, speeches and writings of Imam landed him into jail. Even incarceration did not break his resolve, so he was exiled to Turkey, then to Iraq and ultimately to France. The diplomatic pressure coerced these countries to make Imam leave their territories. Imam condemned the Bahais too, and at one point Pahlavi regime tried to tame him, to buy his loyalties but failed to break his resolve. Imam is the person who termed United States of America (USA) as the Big Satan. He was critical of the U.S policies towards the Muslim world. Pahlavi was one of the greatest allies of U.S and Imam was able to oust him with the people's struggle and his charismatic leadership. He remained critical of the U.S activities, cautioned the Muslim world against it and even now Iran although cosying up to U.S remains one of its greatest opponents in the Middle East. Imam Khomeini also articulated an unneeded Fatwa against the author and novelist Salman Rushdie for writing and publishing his novel Satanic Verses. U.S made Rushdie write Satanic Verses (P-110) is not a fact, although Shafi Ahmad mentions it, but Rushdie wanted fame, so he wrote this blasphemous novel. The fatwa of Khomeini made him quite famous and that led to the creation of an Islamophobic image of Muslims and Islam in the West. The fatwa did not serve any purpose and later on was withdrawn by the Iranian government. For this fatwa Imam Khomeini is legitimately criticized by many. Imam Khomeini lived a very humble and simple life, even after he was legally the head of the Iranian state. He did not plunder the state exchequer like most Muslim rulers who enjoy lavish lives at the expense of common masses. After his death it came to the fore that he possessed very few belongings. He espoused liberation and freedom of oppressed people, particularly Muslims. He laid great emphasis on the role of mothers and teachers in building a great society, which can be productive and help people progress. Shafi Ahmad also engages with the writings of the Imam. The book is a very welcome addition to the flimsy literature available in Urdu about Imam Khomeini and is the first attempt at finding his roots in Kashmir. The author needs to be congratulated for his efforts and a note of appreciation is a must for one of the oldest publishers of Kashmir valley for bringing out this work. The price of the book could be brought down so that common readers too can have access to this treasure. ---- M.H.A. Sikander is Writer-Activist based in Srinagar, Kashmir URL: https://newageislam.com/books-documents/islamic-state-islamism-imam-khomeini/d/127415 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism