Islamic Political Thought

Religion and Democracy in Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei's Thoughts

Document Type : Research Article (Political Thought)

Author

Associate Professor of Political Sciences Faculty at Imam Sadiq University

Abstract

The idea of religious democracy as emerging from the thinking style of leaders of the Islamic republic, is going to create an ideal relationship between democracy and religion. The present paper will explain the religious democracy in the ideologies of leaders of the Islamic republic of Iran (Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei), within three theoretical, principles and components of religious democracy, and practical realization principles of religious democracy areas. In the thoughts of Imam Khomeini and ayatollah Khamenei there is a firm link between religion and politics, and democracy originates from religion. Since democracy is in the length of God's leadership, and people have chosen religion as their democracy framework, the link between Islam and democracy materializes. The leaders of the Islamic republic believe in human dignity and in the role of public participation of all men and women in realization of democracy. For them, participation in elections and political issues is both, a right, and an obligation. Thus, it can be claimed that elections have a key position in the realization of democracy. In fact, even the protector of the Islamic juristics who in the thought of Shiism and during the absence of Imam Zaman is in charge of religious affairs is elected through the votes of the Constituent Assembly (who are elected by people). Therefore, in the thoughts of leaders of the Islamic republic there is a link between the components and bases of Islam and democracy.

Keywords

Main Subjects

  1. The Holy Qoran
  2. Abedi, Ardakani, Mohammad, (1381), Iran's Islamic Revolution and foundation of Religious Democracy System", Hozour, Ne. 14, narrated in http://www.ensani.ir.
  3. Akhavan Kazemi, Bahram, (1386), Parties in the Thoughts of the Islamic Republic Thinking, Hokoomate Islami, No. 4.
  4. Alipour Gorji, Mahmood, (1390), The study of freedom in Political Thoughts of the Great Leader of the Islamic Revolution. The Islamic revolution Studies, No. 26.
  5. Ayatollah Khamenei, Seyyed Ali (1368, 1370, 1373, 1374, 1375, 1380, 1383), Expression, The Bureau of Protecting and Publication of Ayatollah Khamenei's works, (Hadith software of Velayat, Collection of Guidelines of the Great leader of the Islamic Revolution).
  6. Ayatollah Khamenei, Seyyed Ali, (1374). The Overall Plan of the Islamic Thinking in Koran, Research center of farhang va Andisheh Islami.
  7. Bashirich Hossein, (1387), Transition to Democracy, Neshre Negahe Moaser.
  8. Bashirieh, Hossein ,(1382), Instruction of Political Knowledge of Bases of Theoretical and foundational Science, Nashre Negahe Noaser.
  9. Eftekhari Asghar, (1384), The Position of Advisability in Imam Khomeini's Political Thinking and Action, Daneshe Syasi, No.
  10. Ettelaat newspaper 1379/07/26.
  11. Hosseini Khamenei, Seyyed Ali, The Soul of Monotheism, Rejection of Devotion to Non-gods, Bija, Bita.
  12. Imam Khomeini, Rouhollah, (1379), The position of People in the Islamic System, from Imam Khomeini's Point of View, Tebian works, 1st paper, Tehran: Regulating and publication of Imam Khomeini's works.
  13. Imam Khomeini, Rouhollah, (1385), The Protector of the Islamic Juristics: The Islamic Juristic: The Islamic Government, 13th publication, Tehran: Regulating and publication institution of Imam Khomeini's works.
  14. Imam Khomeini, Sahifeh Imam, Vol. 4, 5, 11, 14, 21. Receivable in http://www.imam-Khomeini.ir/fa/page/1210.
  15. Ismaeelabadi, alireza, (1384), Rights of Non-moslem Citizens, a Comparative Report of four Books, Social Sciences Ketabe Mah, No. 90 and 91.
  16. Jomhuri Islami newspaper, Azar 1379.
  17. Khomeini Rouhollah, Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 7 and 18 receivable in http://www.yjc/fa/news/4121375/.
  18. Parvin, Maryem, (1389), Imam Khomeini and Religious Democracy, Yadeayyam, No, 57, narrated in http://www.ensani.ir/fa/content/dofault.aspx126428.
  19. Salimi, Mousa, (1371), Explanation of the Position of People in Imam Khomeini's Political Thinking. Political faculty, Imam Sadegh university.
Islamic Political Thought
Volume 2, Issue 2
October 2015
Pages 45-65
  • Receive Date: 01 November 2015
  • Revise Date: 21 November 2015
  • Accept Date: 10 February 2016