Imam Khomieni’s Power Bases(3)

The most profound basis of Imam Khomeini’s leadership lies in his precise and meaningful articulation of what the masses could only surmise deep in their hearts. What he says from the core of his heart effectively touches the ‘chords’ of the people’s hearts. This was because he reiterated the inexorable and timeless principles and values, cherished and reflected in our own (Islamic) culture, history and spirituality in depth. Throughout the last fourteen centuries, our people have deeply cherished the inspired sayings of Prophet Muhammad (sawa). They have also deeply valued the leadership qualities and heroic deeds of Imam Ali (as), Lady Fatimah (as), Imam Husayn (as) and Lady Zainab (as), as well as the bold accomplishments of Salman and Abu Dharr among hundreds of other devout, articulate and exemplary men and women.

All these meaningful and revolutionary Islamic values and traditions have been profoundly assimilated by successive generations of our people, such that they have become a natural motivational force for their individual and social lives. So it is no wonder then that when they heard a voice reminiscent of the Islamic leaders of the past they at once discerned it to be part of their own. It was as if they had felt in the traces of Imam Ali (as) and Imam Husayn (as), or visualized the their image, in him.”

Perhaps no one could speak about the personality of Imam Khomeini as Ayatollah Mutahhari could. He was one of the theorists of the Islamic Revolution who, throughout his life, sought to revive Islamic thought. In another part of his speech, in describing Imam Khomeini after his return from Paris, says: “Having spent almost twelve years following this great man, when I went to visit him during my recent trip to Paris, I found out certain aspects of his personality that not only astonished me but also increased my faith. When I returned, my friends asked me what I saw. I said I witnessed four aspects of his “having faith”. Having faith in his goal, that is to say, not even the entire whole world could have stopped him from pursuing his goals. Having faith in the path he has chosen. Nothing would discourage him from taking this path. It is similar to the same faith that the Noble Prophet had in his goal and his path. Having faith in his views; among all the people I know, no one has the same faith in the spirit of the Iranian people as he does. They advise him to be a bit softer, that the people are getting discouraged, that the people are losing their enthusiasm, and he says no, they are not like what you say. I know the people better, and we all see that day by day, the truthfulness of his views becomes more evident. And finally, his faith in Allah is the most important aspect. In a private meeting, he told me, ‘I am not the main cause and factor who does the work. I clearly feel the hand of God. A person who feels the grace of God and takes a step in His path, God will augment his support as stated in the Glorious Quran, ‘If you help Allah, He will help you’. Also, the Glorious Quran recounts the story of the Companions of the Cave by saying, ‘They were indeed youths who had faith in their Lord, and We had enhanced them in guidance and fortified their hearts’”.

In conclusion, it can be said that three main factors played a role in the influence and widespread power base of Imam Khomeini. The first and most important factor was reliance on the infinite power of God. He began his struggle in the position of a religious leader and a Marja. This characteristic was one of the main variables in reinforcing his influence among the people. The second variable was Imam Khomeini’s method of struggle. He believed in duty, not outcome, relying on the infinite power of God, and believed that the goal does not justify the means. This quality of Imam Khomeini, alongside the third factor i.e., popularity, was among the factors that expanded his social base and marginalized all other political movements which claimed to be fighting against the oppressive Pahlavi regime. If he did not hold the position of a religious and Islamic leader, if the people of Iran were not familiar with him, nor have a deep affinity and connection with Islam deep in their hearts, and if the people did not love Prophet’s household, and if they did not feel that his call is as the same as that of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ali or Imam Hussain, it would have been impossible for a movement and a Revolution of this magnitude to emerge in Iran.