Divine prophets never ignored social matters, Imam Khomeini stressed

Divine prophets never ignored social matters, Imam Khomeini stressed

  Imam Khomeini maintains that apart from Islam, in Christianity also, Jesus did not, of course, ignores social matters, though his followers consider him as symbol of piety who detached himself from the worldly matters.

From the beginning of his life, Jesus declared that he had brought the Book. Thus from the outset he launched a campaign against injustice.

Imam Khomeini is of the view that politics can benefit from religious rules, likewise, religious rules are also linked with politics. In this regard he says:

“Saying we have nothing to do with politics, is tantamount to keeping Islam in isolation. Swear by God, Islam in all its aspects deals with politics. Islam has been in fact misinterpreted.” 

It seems that Mudarris, the renown Iranian scholar shares the same views with Imam Khomeini .He says, “Our politics is our religion and our religion is our politics.”

It should be cleared ,therefore, whether Islam deals only with certain general principles  or it also deals with particulars of political affairs presenting a separate political theory?

As far as the question of a political theory is concerned we need not borrow from other theories to develop a theory on politics, for, the religion itself can provide all particulars of a political theory. Nevertheless, it does not mean that all particulars of every age is contained in religion but it means that one can refer to religious sources to develop a perfect political theory at each particular age.

There are certain Muslim political figures who advocate the former idea, i.e. Islam only deals with the general principles. For instance, the author of the book Marz al-Miyane al-Din wa Siasat” says:

“Religion provide the principles of politics and clarify the objectives of a government without touching the particulars .

There are also some other people who put into question the possibility of the implementation of the Islamic rules at present age. They are of the view that we should find out a substitute for religion approach in order to run the country properly. Hence, after the Islamic Revolution in Iran, they started opposing the idea of the wilayat al-faqih (guardianship of jurisconsult) and Islamic law of Qisas(retribution), etc.

On the country, Imam Khomeini had a firm conviction that Islam is a comprehensive religion and can provide a political theory for a society. In his political will he writes:

“Unlike other atheist schools of thought, Islam take into account all aspects of human life, that is, individual, social, physical, spiritual, cultural, political, economic and military affairs of life. Islam does not leave any point helpful for the material and spiritual development of man and society untouched. Islam elaborates on the obstacles of such development in society and teaches how to remove them.

Imam Khomeini even disagrees with those who try to justify the political thought of Islam with the help of un-Islamic sources. In this regard he says:

“Be sure that Islam can provide justice, independence, freedom, economic equality without relying on the teachings of other schools of thought.

Imam Khomeini bases his ideas on theological accounts. He refers to some of the Qur'anic verses and narration from the infallible Imams (a). In his speeches he affirms that political and economic system of Islam has not been worked out seriously.

He refers to the following verses of the Qur'an to support his views:

.We have not neglected anything in the Book...

.nor any green nor dry but (it is all) in a clear book.

There are also certain narration indicating that necessary rulings are not entrusted to man.

 Keeping in view to these verses and narration some of the scholars of Qur'an concluded that it is possible to propound a political or economic theories.Yet it does not mean that we have to ignore the outcomes of scientific works in persuading our task. 

The teachings of Islam encompass all aspects of human life . Through establishing a just government, Muslims can bring about social justice. Therefore, it can be inferred that Islamic politics, while taking into account all physical and spiritual dimensions of man, is meant to guide man towards perfection.

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