The Muslim Revivalist Movements: The Role of Imam Khomeini in its Development and Continuity

Imam Khomeini has achieved successes in continuance of the movement of religious revivalism, that other Islamic reformists have achieved less. Imam Khomeini is one of significant revivalists who led the Islamic revolution in Iran and consequently brought about changes in Muslim society and civilization. In this article, distinctive features of Imam Khomeini’s revivalism will be examined.

Imam Khomeini made a denunciation of both the Shah and the United States

During November of 1964, Imam Khomeini made a denunciation of both the Shah and his Western backers especially the United States.

Imam no longer accepted the idea of a limited monarchy

Logically, in the 1970s, as contrasted with the 1940s, he no longer accepted the idea of a limited monarchy under the Iranian Constitution of 1906-1907, an idea that was clearly evidenced by his book Kashf-e Asrar.

Imam Khomeini spent over 14 years in exile before historic return to home in 1979

Imam Khomeini spent over 14 years in exile, mostly in the holy city of Najaf in Iraq, before making a historic return to Iran in 1979.

Imam Khomeini’s lecture series in Najaf laid out his ideas on Islamic governance

In early 1970 Imam Khomeini gave a lecture series in Najaf on Islamic Government which later was published as a book titled variously Islamic Government or Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists (velayat-e faqih).

Imam successfully monitored and led Islamic Revolution from exile

Imam Khomeini successfully led Islamic Revolution from exile

Imam Khomeini spent over 14 years in exile, mostly in the holy city of Najaf in Iraq.

Imam Khomeini made denunciation of both the Shah and the United States

During November of 1964, Imam Khomeini made a denunciation of both the Shah and the United States, this time in response to the "capitulations" or diplomatic immunity granted to American military personnel in Iran by the Shah. In Nov. 1964 Imam Khomeini was re-arrested and sent into exile.