Imam asserted that women should actively take part in political, social and economic fields on large scale.
“Not only does the Shiite ideology not keep women away from the scene of living; rather, it places them in the lofty position of humanity in society.”
Imam Khomeini’s perspective of women can be interpreted through a humane-Islamic approach and in the bedrock of Islam’s progressive point of view. humanity. As the son of the liberating doctrine of Islam in the era of modern ignorance, the great Imam defended the community of women and aspired to restore the women’s identity.
The Imam’s emphasis on this subject was revolved round the description of the model persona of Islam’s great women, Her Holinesses Fatemah Zahra and Zainab (peace be upon them).
The great Imam put great emphasis on women’s effective and determinant presence in society combined with her observance of Islamic rules and tenets.
Imam also focused his thoughts in this field on the pathology of the societal-cultural situation of women before the Islamic Revolution and defined a great role for women following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
The great Imam believes that women should play an active role in all areas of the Muslim communities and societies.
“Women have a great role in society. Women are the object of realization of humankind’s aspirations. Women are the nurturers of honorable men and women. Women are the trainers of society. Women are the trainers of human beings. The happiness and misery of countries depend on the presence of women. With her proper training, woman develops human beings and with her proper training, she develops the country,” the great Imam once said.
The great leader of the Muslim world also reminded the women their historic role of bringing up the generations.
“Woman is the source of all goodness. The role of women in the world possesses special characteristics. The good and bad of a society originate from the good and bad of it’s women folk. The women of our era have proven that they are on par or rather ahead of men in terms of engaging in holy struggle. These same folks that are manifestations of moral purity were frontrunners of the movement as well as frontrunners in donating their wealth.”
According to great Imam, the mothers have a major role in raising bringing up their children. On this subject, he states:
“The mother’s lap is the greatest school in which the child is trained – and it is the job of training that is of the greatest significance. Great human beings are the product of the training of great mothers.”
The great spiritual and political leader of the Muslim world considered the mother’s duty to be the same as that of the Divine prophets; and reckons happiness and misery of the nations in the light of the mothers’ upbringing.
“May God preserve you for training human beings which is the occupation of prophets. If you bring up one child properly, it is possible that the same child provides for a nation. If God forbid, a bad child is nurtured in your lap, it is possible that immorality will find its way in society.” Thus, the Imam considers the origin of most social evils and corruptions in lack of receiving proper upbringing,” Imam pointed out in another statement.
The great Imam also emphasis on developing a suitable culture in order to facilitate the active presence of Muslim women in the social, political and cultural spheres.
The founder of the Islamic Republic not only considers raising the social status of women, their political and social participation and having a say in their own destiny to be the women’s right.
Imam used to say that woman is the main axis of development and main pillar of the Islamic system. Imam maintains that her humane and constructive capability must be used in a better manner for the benefit of the entire community.
Imam also noted that the Muslim societies must follow the teachings, ethical norms and practices of the holy lady Fatimah Zahra (peace be upon her) in order to attain salvation.
“Sahifah Fatimah was inspired to her from the very presence of the Lord most High to Zahra Mardhiyyah (i.e. Lady Fatimah),” Imam Khomeini said in his last will and testament.
According to Imam Khomeini, in the history of Islam, for very group or stratum of society, there is a suitable role-model who is guiding light for salvation and on the path to perfection.
It is noteworthy that the role-model for women, as declared by the holy Prophet of Islam Mohammad (peace be upon him) is lady Fatimah-Zahra.
“The best of your men is Ali Ibn Abi Talib, and the best of your women is Fatimah Binte Mohammad,” Said the holy Prophet of Islam, adding that: “Fatimah is part of me, that which annoys her annoys me, and that which harms her harms me.”
Historical accounts show Hadrat Fatimah’s home environment was an example of harmony, peace, tranquility, and modesty. She helped her husband in his worldly and religious affairs, and cooperated with him in achieving his exalted mission.
Imam Khomeini believed that the holy lady Fatimah had earned dignity and grace for all women and mankind thought the history.
"The history of Islam is witness to the immense respect that the prophet had for Hazrat Zahra (PBUH) which also powerfully reflects on the importance of women in society. If they are not superior to men, they are definitely not any inferior," said Imam Khomeini.
Imam always insisted that the Islamic and world societies could prevent from moral and social decline and collapse by following the character of the teachings of the divine lady Fatimah and her pure progeny.
This Fatimah (peace be upon her) is the role-model of all women of the world, her greatness is not limited to any particular time period or location.
Declaring the Birthday of holy lady Fatimah Zahra as "Woman's Day", Imam Khomeini has said : "This day is like the day of revival of real womanhood and the day of foundation-building for the important and respectable role, woman play in the society." Elsewhere, addressing groups of women he said : "If you don't learn from her asceticism, piety, modesty and other virtues, you have not even understood the true essence of womanhood."
“If a day is to be designated ‘Women’s Day’, what day is more deserving, is prouder, than the day commemorating the joyous birth of Fatima Zahra, upon whom be peace, a woman who is the pride of the family of divine revelation, and who, like a sun, shines brightly in the crown of beloved Islam.”
“It is a great day, on which a woman came into the world who compared with all men. A woman came into the world who was an exemplar for mankind. A woman came into the world in whom all traits of a (true) human being were manifest. So today is a great day. It is the day of you women.”
“I convey my best wishes and felicitations to the noble nation of Iran, in particular the respected women, on the immensely happy occasion of the birthday of Fatima Zahra, the most felicitous day to commemorate Women’s Day.”
“Felicitations to the mighty nation of Iran, in particular its great women, on this blessed day of the woman, this illustrious day commemorating a lustrous being who lays the foundations on which mankind’s virtues and the exalted values of God’s representative in this world are built. And even more blessed and precious is the most felicitous selection of the 20th day of Jumada II (as Women’s Day), the proud day of the birth of a woman who is one of history’s miracles and who is a source of pride for the world of creation.”
“I congratulate all you ladies and women in all Islamic countries on this joyous holiday marking the glorious birth of Hazrat Fatima Zahra, upon whom be peace. I ask God, the Blessed and Exalted, to guide all the respected women along the path that He has laid down, so that they can achieve lofty Islamic goals. It is a source of great pride for the women that they have designated Hazrat Fatima’s birthday as Women’s Day; it is a source of pride and responsibility.”