Imam Khomeini’s lectures on Islamic governance

The famous work titled 'Government: Governance of the Jurist' originated in a series of lectures delivered by Imam Khomeini at the holy city of Najaf between January 21 and February 8, 1970.

ID: 55256 | Date: 2019/04/08

 Three major points emerge from the lectures.


The first is the necessity for the establishment and maintenance of Islamic political power for Islamic goals, precepts, and criteria.


The second is the duty of the religious scholars (the fuqahā) to bring about an Islamic state.


Third, a program of action for the establishment of an Islamic state, including various measures for self-reform by the religious establishment.


According to Imam Khomeini, Islamic government is a government of law. In this form of government, sovereignty belongs to God alone and law is His decree and command. 


Islamic government is neither tyrannical nor absolute, but constitutional. It is not constitutional in the current sense of the word, i.e., based on the approval of laws in accordance with the opinion of the majority.


 It is constitutional in the sense that the rulers are subject to a certain set of conditions in governing and administering the country, conditions that are set forth in the Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Most Noble Messenger (PBUH).


 It is the laws and ordinances of Islam comprising this set of conditions that must be observed and practiced. Islamic government may therefore be defined as the rule of divine law over men.


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Islamic government is a government of law, Imam Khomeini defined