Khomeini and his Role in Modern Islamic Fundamentalism

An interpretation of Khomeini

“Islam makes it incumbent on all adult males, provided they are not disabled or incapacitated, to prepare themselves for the conquest of [other] countries so that the writ of Islam is obeyed in every country in the world. . . . But those who study Islamic Holy War will understand why Islam wants to conquer the whole world. . . . Those who know nothing of Islam pretend that Islam counsels against war. Those [who say this] are witless. Islam says: Kill all the unbelievers just as they would kill you all! Does this mean that Muslims should sit back until they are devoured by [the unbelievers]? Islam says: Kill them [the non-Muslims], put them to the sword and scatter [their armies]. Does this mean sitting back until [non-Muslims] overcome us? Islam says: Kill in the service of Allah those who may want to kill you! Does this mean that we should surrender [to the enemy]? Islam says: Whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword and in the shadow of the sword! People cannot be made obedient except with the sword! The sword is the key to Paradise, which can be opened only for the Holy Warriors! There are hundreds of other [Qur'anic] psalms and Hadiths [sayings of the Prophet] urging Muslims to value war and to fight. Does all this mean that Islam is a religion that prevents men from waging war? I spit upon those foolish souls who make such a claim.”

In the inflammatory statement above taken from the book Holy Terror: Inside the World of Islamic Terrorism (1987) by Amir Taheri,

Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran expresses his true viewpoint on Islamic fundamentalism and its need to be spread through violence.  As we as a nation reflect on the death of Al Queda leader Osama Bin Laden, Khomeini and his position came to mind.  When he took over in 1979 as the leader of the Iranian Revolution, the Islamic fundamentalist and nationalist movement he led spread far beyond the borders of Iran.  His position, policies, and religious conservatism fomented the spread of Islamic terrorism in the name of jihad that our world lives in today.  He began to incite this movement by encouraging anti-Western, specifically U.S.A-directed sentiments amongst the population of Iran.  In a 1979 speech, Khomeini issued a verbal attack on the United States, declaring it to be “the Great Satan” and the reason for all evil in the world.  Although his hatred for the United States originally derived from our alliance with the abhorred shah, he continued to speak out against the United States, fostering the motivation for Hostage Crisis in November of 1979.  Whether his intentions of hatred had shifted from anger with our alliance to hatred of religious and cultural differences, I do not know.  Yet when on November 4, 1979 when Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy, Khomeini gave his mark of approval to the movement.  He encouraged this act of blatant hostility and violence to the U.S.A., indirectly fostering the terrorism and widespread hatred against the U.S. of years to come. 

        Furthermore, the fact that he created a theocracy in place of a secular government supports that he instituted the first Islamic fundamentalist and nationalist widespread movement of our times and thereby starting a worldwide movement of fanatic, intransigent Islam that jihad is built upon.  His rule controlled not only the political aspects of the country but also the religious, which gave him more authority and power.  He united the country under his religious cause.  Komitehs, young thugs set on fulfilling Khomeini’s goal of a perfect Islamic nation, roamed the streets officiating and harassing individuals who defied Islamic law.  As Khomeini ushered in this new relationship where state was church, other countries in the Middle East took note. Islamic nationalism surged across the Middle East as a result of his radical movement.  He was the first of our times to put total power in the hands of clerics. 

      By doing such things, Khomeini sparked nationwide and regionwide support for die-hard religious conservatism, similar almost to the Islamic holy war of the eighth century.  He certainly supported jihad and violence as well, as he stated that  “Whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword and in the shadow of the sword! People cannot be made obedient except with the sword! The sword is the key to Paradise, which can be opened only for the Holy Warriors!”  His support for violence against western or any non-Islamic culture like Israel continued within his new Iran, after his death as well.  Iran was and is a huge supporter of Hamas and Hezbollah, terrorist groups that project their hatred particularly at nearby Israel.  They have funded them for over twenty years.  The fact that modern Iran is founded on Khomeini’s principles could lead one to believe that Khomeini indeed was himself a supporter of terrorism.  His role in current terrorism is something to be debated. 

      Reflecting on the quote above, what role do you think Khomeini had or has in terrorism and jihad today, in light of Bin Laden’s recent death? Do you think would support terrorism, if he declared that the sword was needed to spread Islam? 

image source: http://setad.org/