Ruhollah Khomeini, born on September 24, 1902, in Khomein, a small town in what is now Iran, is one of the most significant and controversial figures in modern Middle Eastern history. As the leader of the Iranian Revolution and the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Khomeini reshaped the political landscape of Iran and had a profound influence on global geopolitics. This article delves into the life of Ruhollah Khomeini, exploring his early years, rise to power, and the highlights of his legacy.
Early Life and Background
Ruhollah Mousavi Khomeini was born into a family of religious scholars. His father, Mostafa Mousavi, was a respected cleric, but he was assassinated when Ruhollah was just five months old. This early loss left a profound impact on Khomeini, shaping his views on justice and oppression. Raised in a devout Shia Muslim household, Khomeini was immersed in religious studies from a young age. His early education took place in local religious schools, where he quickly demonstrated a keen intellect and a deep understanding of Islamic jurisprudence.
As a young man, Khomeini moved to the city of Qom, one of the most important centers of Shia scholarship in Iran. There, he continued his studies, eventually becoming a prominent religious scholar in his own right. Khomeini’s teachings and writings began to attract a following, particularly among those disillusioned with the increasingly secular and Western-oriented policies of the Iranian monarchy under the Pahlavi dynasty.
Opposition to the Pahlavi Monarchy
The Pahlavi dynasty, established by Reza Shah in 1925, sought to modernize and Westernize Iran. These efforts included significant changes to Iran’s legal system, economy, and culture, often at the expense of traditional Islamic values. Many of these reforms were seen as direct attacks on the Islamic identity of the nation, leading to widespread discontent among the clergy and the general population.
Khomeini emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the Pahlavi regime. He condemned the Shah’s policies of Westernization and secularization, arguing that they were eroding the moral and religious fabric of Iranian society. In particular, Khomeini opposed the Shah’s land reforms and the granting of women’s suffrage, which he saw as moves designed to weaken the influence of Islam in Iran.
In 1963, Khomeini’s opposition to the Shah came to a head when he publicly denounced the White Revolution—a series of reforms introduced by Mohammad Reza Shah aimed at modernizing the country. Khomeini’s criticisms led to his arrest and subsequent exile. For the next 14 years, he would live in exile, first in Turkey, then in Iraq, and finally in France. Despite his physical absence from Iran, Khomeini’s influence continued to grow, as his speeches and writings were smuggled into the country and distributed among his followers.
The Iranian Revolution
The 1970s were a period of increasing unrest in Iran. Economic difficulties, political repression, and widespread corruption fueled popular discontent with the Shah’s regime. This unrest culminated in the Iranian Revolution of 1979—a mass uprising that ultimately led to the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty.
Khomeini, despite being in exile in France at the time, became the symbolic leader of the revolution. His calls for the establishment of an Islamic government resonated with millions of Iranians who were disillusioned with the Shah’s rule. Khomeini’s vision for Iran was clear: a return to Islamic values and the establishment of a government based on Islamic law (Sharia).
On January 16, 1979, the Shah fled Iran, and on February 1, 1979, Khomeini returned to Tehran to a hero’s welcome. His return marked a turning point in Iranian history. Within weeks, the monarchy was abolished, and Khomeini assumed the role of Supreme Leader of the newly established Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Establishment of the Islamic Republic
Following the revolution, Khomeini moved quickly to consolidate power and establish a theocratic government. In March 1979, a national referendum was held in which the Iranian people overwhelmingly voted to establish an Islamic Republic. Khomeini was appointed as the Supreme Leader, a position that gave him ultimate authority over all aspects of government and religious life in Iran.
Under Khomeini’s leadership, the new government implemented a series of sweeping reforms aimed at Islamizing Iranian society. The legal system was overhauled to conform to Islamic law, women were required to wear the hijab, and strict moral codes were enforced. These changes were accompanied by a campaign to purge the country of Western influences, which Khomeini and his followers saw as corrupt and immoral.
Khomeini’s government also took a hardline stance against political dissent. Opposition groups, including those who had initially supported the revolution, were systematically repressed. Thousands of political opponents were arrested, tortured, and executed during the early years of the Islamic Republic.
The Iran-Iraq War
One of the most significant events of Khomeini’s rule was the Iran-Iraq War, a brutal conflict that lasted from 1980 to 1988. The war began when Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Iran in an attempt to seize control of disputed border territories and to prevent the spread of Khomeini’s revolutionary ideology to the Shia majority in Iraq.
The war was marked by widespread devastation and heavy casualties on both sides. Khomeini framed the conflict as a holy war, calling on Iranians to defend the Islamic Republic against what he described as an invasion by infidel forces. The war galvanized Khomeini’s followers and strengthened his hold on power, but it also took a tremendous toll on the Iranian population, with hundreds of thousands of lives lost.
The war ended in a stalemate, with both sides agreeing to a ceasefire in 1988. The conflict left deep scars on Iranian society and further entrenched the Islamic Republic’s position as a pariah state in the eyes of much of the international community.
Khomeini’s Legacy
Ruhollah Khomeini’s legacy is deeply complex and highly controversial. To his supporters, he is revered as a champion of Islamic values and a defender of Iran’s independence from Western imperialism. Khomeini’s vision of an Islamic state has continued to shape Iranian politics and society long after his death in 1989.
However, Khomeini’s rule was also marked by severe repression, human rights abuses, and the establishment of a theocratic regime that has been widely criticized for its lack of political freedoms and its treatment of women and minorities. Khomeini’s policies have left Iran isolated on the world stage, and his legacy continues to fuel tensions between Iran and the West.
One of the most enduring aspects of Khomeini’s legacy is the concept of “Velayat-e Faqih” or the “Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist.” This principle, which Khomeini outlined in his writings, asserts that a senior Islamic scholar should have ultimate authority over both the political and religious affairs of the state. This idea has become the cornerstone of the Iranian political system and has ensured that the Islamic Republic remains firmly under the control of the clergy.
Conclusion
Ruhollah Khomeini was a transformative figure in Iranian history and in the broader context of the Islamic world. His life’s work fundamentally changed the course of Iran’s history, replacing a secular monarchy with an Islamic theocracy. Khomeini’s influence extended far beyond the borders of Iran, inspiring Islamic movements around the world and challenging the dominance of Western political and cultural norms.
Khomeini’s legacy is a testament to the power of religious and ideological conviction, as well as the impact that a single individual can have on the course of history. Whether viewed as a hero or a tyrant, Khomeini’s role in shaping the modern Middle East cannot be denied. His vision for an Islamic state continues to define the political landscape of Iran, and his influence is likely to be felt for generations to come.
