How the future is built?
Based on the futurist perspective, it is necessary to pay attention to the construction of the future. In order to be able to build the future, one should answer the question “How the future is built?” Thus, the futurist not only acts as an outside observer who sees a definite future, but also, takes steps to build a more desirable future and attracts and manages different groups to engage in building the future. The leading futurist, James Dator, believes that the future is emerging from the interaction of four components: trends, events, images, and actions.
Trends
Trends are used in most of the methods of studying the future constituting in most cases the first part of the future studies. The trends can be easily identified and recognized. Although the concept of the trend has been used in future studies, yet basically, it falls into the category of financial issues. In financial discussions, the overall direction of a market or an asset’s price is called “price trend.” This direction of price may be increasing or decreasing and long-term, short-term or medium-term. Furthermore, based on this definition the changes of the variable in question should happen in the long run so that the variable can include different business cycles. For example, to estimate the employment rate, one should take into account the summer, as a working period, and other seasons.
Events
The events are a description of the historical discontinuity. For example, after the Cold War, foreign direct investment in countries around the world was increased. The annual growth of foreign investment in those years provided the activists as well as multinational corporations with optimistic assessments and estimations thereby offering hope to them regarding the future. Nonetheless, the events of September 11th and the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre, broke such a trend.
Images
The concept of the image, which was introduced before Dator by Dutch futurist Fred Polak in his book “The Image of the Future,” answers this important question: “Does the reason for the collective success of a community (or civilization) lies with the image of the future held by that nation (or civilization) or does the positive vision which a nation (or civilization) hold of the future, an implication of the collective development?”
Emphasizing the validity of this claim, Dator believes that one of the things future studies try to do is to help people examine and clarify their images of the future that is to say their ideas, fears, hopes, beliefs, concerns about the future so that they might improve the quality of their decisions.
Actions
Action refers to acts and what sociologists call “social action” and it is based on the imagination of an individual or organization. Action can be affected by a number of factors, including one’s perceptions of the future. Futurists believe that the images of the future which people hold and the actions which they take on the basis of those images shape the future.
Driving Forces
In future studies books, the concept of driving forces refers to important forces shaping the future of the world. Obviously, the driving forces indirectly affect different areas; In other words, they are the main components or factors consisting of several trends that cause changes in a field of study. Driving forces or variables are unstable and changeable concepts, from which each of the cases of research sample assumes a particular state.
Foresight in Hadiths (Narrations)
By taking a glance at the quotations narrated from the infallible Imams one would realize that addressing the future, determination and foresight have been the points emphasized by these noble personalities. Some of these hadiths are mentioned below.
Imam Ali (a) says: “Whoever is aware of the days and times, would not neglect to prepare for the future.” And in another hadith, he says, “Believers are those who are aware of their future.”
The Future from Imam Khomeini’s Point of View
The word future has been mentioned 220 times in the book “Imam Khomeini’s Sahifeh.” A significant part of this collection is constituted from his numerous interviews with foreign journalists during the year leading to the Islamic Revolution. These interviews include the questions regarding various aspects of the revolution and the social, political, economic, etc. future of the system, as well as Imam Khomeini’s answers and explanation about his cohesive plan for the future.
Necessity and Importance of Looking to the Future
During his exile in Iraq and his teachings classes at the Shaykh al-Ansari Mosque of Najaf, Imam Khomeini presented a theory that became the roadmap for revolutionary and Muslim fighters. This theory revolves around the concept of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) introducing Imam Khomeini’s view and plan concerning the establishment of the Islamic government. Such a perspective shows the depth of Imam Khomeini’s thoughts and planning. In fact, since the beginning of his movement, Imam Khomeini had a clear vision regarding the general plan of the Islamic system and the Islamic model. That is why on various occasions, for example during an interview conducted on January 8, 1979, he raised such issues in response to a question about the possibility of the occurrence of a civil war in Iran:
“God-willing, Iran has found its path and is marching ahead. We believe that after the victory of the nation, through the execution of Islamic laws, a society will be established which will be an example and model for the world nations and for their own redemption and welfare. There will be no civil war.”
The Future Community
One of the responsibilities of leaders in any society is to outline the long-term prospects and visions. By referring to Imam Khomeini’s statements, we could understand how he holds out bright prospects for the future of the revolution. He states that one of the main conditions of establishing a government is that it should maintain its existence and survive during future events:
“The important thing is that government in Iran should be such that the next generation who come to power cannot change it at once. The people are willing for this. The government should make things in a way that when it is handed over to the future generation, they cannot do the converse.”
The Duty of Different Strata in the Future
In Imam Khomeini’s view, people from all walks of life, especially the officials and clerics, should take the future into account. By reviewing his statements, the following issues may be raised in this regard: “Academics are the constructive members of the society and our future salvation will be in the hands of these people, and on the other hand, destroying Iran will be possible by the academics.”
Also, regarding the role and position of the people in building the future, he says:
“I say to you that until you are alive, the United States shall not return; the Soviet Union shall not return. If in future, the nations and generations move in the same way and the clergy will be present everywhere, the people will be present on the scene and the defence and police forces also will be in the service of Islam.”
Correct Education and Obtaining the Divine Knowledge
“If you want the future of your country to be bright, educate those who study in theological seminaries or where you teach. Train them in a way that they migrate from this world and regard the world beyond. They should be spiritually trained and mentally developed. The early steps should be taken to educate them spiritually. When this was realized, things will be rectified. One who is strengthened from spiritual aspects will also become strong in material terms.”
Also, he states: “We should not be content with having had an Islamic republic realized in our own time. We now have to think of future times. That is, just as we have aims for which we carried out this movement, the following generations will also have the same aims. They will also need to have congregations and perspicacity so that they are able to retain this thing that you have achieved.
That concerns training and education, the path of which should be the same as that of this movement and should follow the same principles that you have established.”
Elements of Foresight in the Words of Imam Khomeini
1) Sacrifice
According to Imam Khomeini, looking at the future has various reflections of which is having or creating the spirit of sacrifice. In this regard, he states:
“Mercy of God be upon the martyrs, and the benediction and remission of the Truth be upon their holy purified souls that have attained the proximity to Him and have with honour and enthusiasm hurried towards their exclusive place in the presence of their God. Salutations and peace be upon you the parents, spouses, children, and survivors of the martyrs who have given the best of their beloved in the cause of the best objective, which is the beloved Islam, magnanimously. In the matter of the defence of the religion of God, you have shown such patience and forbearance that you have revived the memory of the heroism and steadfastness of the companions of the Doyen of the Martyrs His Holiness, Imam al-Husayn (may God’s peace be upon him) for the people of the world. I am confident that these sacrifices and acts of heroism shall in the near future enrich the blessed tree of Islam more than ever before and shall destroy and condemn to extermination the sworn enemies of Islam.”
2) The Constant Participation and Presence of People
Imam Khomeini says in this regard: “I say to you that until you are alive, the United States shall not return; the Soviet Union shall not return. If in future, the nations and generations move in the same way and the clergy will be present everywhere, the people will be present on the scene and also the defence and police forces will be in the service of Islam.”
3) Appreciate the Young Generation
Emphasizing the influence of the young generation on the development of the country, Imam Khomeini considers them as a source of honour and authority for the country and believes that making reforms in a nation depends on the reform of the youth:
“And now, dear youths, students, scientists and the present and future hope of the Muslim nation the big trust of independence and freedom obtained by the great Iranian nation from the two power poles of the East and West through their sacrifice and struggle is entrusted to you. You have a big responsibility. All people, especially Muslim students, who are the future leaders, are responsible for safeguarding this great divine trust.”
4) Awaiting the Reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi
In Imam Khomeini’s view, the current of the Revolution is providing the ground for the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi. Also, he believes that the revolution is linked to the ultimate vision of the advent of the last Imam.
“Our officials should be aware that our revolution is not confined to Iran. The revolution of the people of Iran is the starting point of the grand revolution of the Muslim world under the stewardship of promised Mahdi (may our souls be his ransom).”
“It is valuable for man to stand against oppression and oppressor, clenches his fist and strikes on their mouth, and prevents oppression from being spread. This is valuable. We are duty-bound gentlemen! It is not such that when we wait for the reappearance of the Imam of the Time (peace be upon him), we should sit at home, twiddle our thumbs or pray for his reappearance. His reappearance should be hastened through your struggle. You should provide the groundwork for his reappearance. To prepare the ground is achieved by bringing Muslims together and get them united.”
5) The Necessity of Preserving History for the Future Generations
One of the interesting points that is usually neglected is Imam Khomeini’s considerations regarding the preservation of history is recording the events of the revolution for the next generations. The followings are some of his statements in this regard: “If we are neglectful in our publicizing if we are neglectful in speaking and writing and reciting and in all forms of writing and speech, we shall be indebted to the future generations. This is because it would be possible that with the writings of you dear writers and your verses they would have awakened and become aware of what all has passed on this nation in this period and what sufferings we have gone through so that they would undertake to find the solution. Today, we must find the solution, too.”
The Depth of Imam Khomeini’s Foresight and Historical Predictions
With his deep and powerful insight into the future, Imam Khomeini had made various statements and guidelines in this regard. So far, some of his remarks have been mentioned. However, in the following, we will mention some of his predictions that have come true over time.
Imam Khomeini Predicted the Overthrow of the Bipolar System and Advised the Scholars to be with the Oppressed People:
“No doubt the situation of the world is about to undergo fundamental change. Today’s world will not let two powers do whatever they wish and a few people in a country shape the destiny of a nation. The committed ulama and intellectuals had better get closer to nations and bring them into consideration prior to the general transformation and treat their people as prescribed by the Holy Quran and tradition of the holy prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny). In this way, they can attack the attention of nations and remove or diminish the division emerging between the intellectuals of every society and the toiling poor masses of people.”
Predicting That There Would Be an Ongoing State of Military Tensions Between Iran and the United States of America:
“Today, one of the great honours of our nation is the deployment of troops vis-à-vis the biggest show of force by American and European warships in the Persian Gulf. I warn the American and European marines to leave the Persian Gulf before it is too late and before being plunged into the quagmire of death. It will not be always like the time when our passenger plane was shot down by your warship. The children of the revolution will send your warships to the bottom of the Persian Gulf.”
Predictions About the Fate of the Pahlavi Regime and the Shah’s Departure:
“The people of Iran, by sacrificing their lives, would discard the tyrannical Pahlavi Regime to the dustbin of history forever hoisting the flag of Islam in all countries.”
Predicting the fall of communism and the Soviet Union:
“Mr. Gorbachev; It is clear to everybody that from now on communism will only have to be found in the museums of world political history.”
Predicting that Saddam Would Invade Kuwait:
“Now, it is clear to all the enlightened people of the world that Saddam has not abandoned his beastly and predatory nature in the least, but, with the massive support of the world-devourers and the silence of international bodies and organizations, has turned into a wounded beast intent upon carrying the flames of war into the other countries of the region, especially of the Persian Gulf.”
Predicting The Movement of the Egyptian People and The Fate of Hosni Mubarak
“This second imposed president who plans to rule in Egypt just like his predecessor has completely put himself at the disposal of the United States. Prior to coming to power as president, he declared his solidarity with the United States and Israel. He has not realized that in the same way that his sinful predecessor was sent to hell due to the rage of the nation, similar treatment will be meted out to him as well.”
Conclusion
Imam Khomeini’s statements, some of which were mentioned in this article, discourse and views, indicate that he presents a coherent program for the implementation of the rules of Islam in all aspects of human life.
Reference: The journal “Future Studies of the Islamic Revolution.” volume 1, number 3, Winter 2021, pages 87-110
Archive of Imam Khomeini
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