Ervand Abrahamian introduces his work Khomeinism: Essays on the Islamic Republic with a discussion of two terms interesting for an analysis of the Islamic Revolution, particularly considering Western images of Khomeini and his movement: fundamentalism and populism. These ideologically loaded concepts depict the book’s central thesis, namely that fundamentalism is not an appropriate term for describing Khomeini, his ideas and movement. According to Abrahamian, it alludes “religious inflexibility, … political traditionalism, … social conservatism, the centrality of scriptural-doctrinal principles, [and] … the rejection of the modern world.” He instead presents populism as a more apposite term, which “connotes attempts made by nation-states to enter that world.” The scholars Daniele Albertazzi and Duncam McDonnell define ‘populism’ in a widely accepted definition as
an ideology which pits a virtuous and homogeneous people against a set of elites and dangerous ‘others’ who are together depicted as depriving (or attempting to deprive) the sovereign people of their rights, values, prosperity, identity and voice.
Essentially approving of Abrahamian’s cited thesis, this essay attempts to illustrate that the Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, does not represent a movement driven by “religious fundamentalism” or “fanaticism,” but the Iranian way of emancipation from domestic and foreign oppression and domination, materialized by the Shah and the West. This thesis will be developed through exploring the Shi’ite history and especially its appearance in Iran. Furthermore it will continually explore the religion’s revolutionary and supposedly fanatical characteristics and its contribution to the 1979 revolution, which, as its leader Khomeini, Western mainstream media often denounce as fundamentalist and radical.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Importance of the Concept ahl al-bayt
- The Concept of Imamah
- Shi'ism as an Oppositional Movement
- The Duality of Quietism and Rebellion
- Shi'ism and the Absence of the Imam
- The Emergence of the Iranian State
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay seeks to challenge the common Western perception of the Islamic Revolution, specifically the portrayal of Ayatollah Khomeini and his movement as "fundamentalist" or "fanatical." Instead, it argues that the revolution represented a form of Iranian emancipation from oppression and domination. The essay achieves this by exploring the history of Shi'ism, particularly its emergence in Iran, and examining the religion's revolutionary and supposedly fanatical characteristics.- The Importance of Ahl al-Bayt in Shi'ite Thought
- The Concept of Imamah and its Role in Shi'ite Leadership
- The Dual Nature of Shi'ism: Quietism and Rebellion
- The Adaptation and Evolution of Shi'ite Doctrine
- The Emergence of the Iranian State and the Role of Shi'ism
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The Importance of the Concept ahl al-bayt: This section delves into the core principle of Shi'ism, which emphasizes the lineage of ‘Ali, Muhammad's son-in-law, as the rightful leaders of the Islamic community. It explains the Shi'ite understanding of charisma and how ‘Ali's authority, though not divine, is derived from his closeness to the Prophet.
- The Concept of Imamah: This section discusses the concept of imamah, the succession of divinely appointed leaders from ‘Ali's lineage, and its importance in Shi'ite theology. It highlights the Shi'ite belief that ordinary Muslims lack the necessary knowledge to interpret the Qur'an and thus require the guidance of imams.
- Shi'ism as an Oppositional Movement: This section examines Shi'ism's early development as an oppositional movement against the Umayyads and their religious ideology, which eventually evolved into Sunnism. It introduces the practice of taqiyyah, which allows Shi'ites to conceal their religious identity in times of danger, and argues that this practice demonstrates Shi'ism's pragmatism rather than extremism.
- The Duality of Quietism and Rebellion: This section explores the two contrasting strands within Shi'ism: quietism, represented by Hassan, ‘Ali's son who relinquished his leadership without fighting, and rebellion, embodied by Husain, whose martyrdom is a significant event in Shi'ite history. It connects the theme of suffering and sacrifice in Shi'ism to the Ashura rituals.
- Shi'ism and the Absence of the Imam: This section addresses the issue of the 12th imam's disappearance and its impact on Shi'ite doctrine. It explains how Shi'ites adapted to the imam's absence by relying on the Prophet's teachings and the legal interpretations of a growing class of scholars. This demonstrates Shi'ism's ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
- The Emergence of the Iranian State: This section focuses on the Safavid dynasty's adoption of Shi'ism as the official religion in 1501. It discusses how this event, which involved forced conversions and a resurgence of Sunni-Shi'a rivalry, laid the foundation for the modern Iranian state. It also highlights the subordination of the Shi'ite religious elite to the state during this period.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on the historical and religious aspects of Shi'ism, specifically its emergence in Iran and its relationship to the Islamic Revolution. It explores key concepts like ahl al-bayt, imamah, taqiyyah, quietism, and rebellion, in order to demonstrate the complex and nuanced nature of Shi'ite doctrine. The essay also examines the historical context of the Safavid dynasty's adoption of Shi'ism and its impact on the development of the Iranian state. The essay challenges Western perceptions of Shi'ism as inherently fundamentalist or radical, arguing instead that it represents a form of religious and cultural resistance to oppression and domination.- Quote paper
- Sophie Duhnkrack (Author), 2009, The History of Shi'ism and Iranian Shi'ism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/141508