Shia Islam

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Lore & Background

Though a minority of the world Muslim community, Twelver Shias form the majority of the population in the countries of Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan, and substantial minorities in Afghanistan, Bahrain, India, Lebanon, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Islamism in general has been defined as a religious revivalist movement for a return to the original texts and the inspiration of the original believers of Islam, but one which requires Islam to be a 'political system'. Khomeini's form of Islamism was unique not only for being a powerful political movement which successfully came to power, but for having completely swept away the old regime, created a new one with a new constitution, new institutions and a new concept of governance (the velayat-e-faqih). Historian Ervand Abrahamian argues that Khomeini's Islamist movement not only created a new form of Shiism, but converted traditional Shi'ism 'from a conservative quietist faith' into 'a militant political ideology that challenged both the imperial powers and the country's upper class'. Khomeini himself followed traditional Shi'i Islamic attitudes in his writings during the 1940, 50s and 60s, only changing during the late 1960s. In late 1969, Khomeini's view of society and politics changed dramatically. What prompted this change is unclear as he did not footnote his work or admit to drawing ideas from others, or for that matter even admit he had changed his views.

Reader's Guide

Some major tenants of Twelver Shīʿa Muslim belief are: the sorrowful tragedy of the martyrdom of Imam Hussien; how he refused to bow to worldliness and power of the tyrant Mu'awiya I whose malicious servants outnumbered and killed Hussien at Karbala; how his virtue and his suffering in martyrdom inspires and unites Shia community (Ummah); the return of the Mahdi (the Twelfth Imam, Hujjat Allah al-Mahdi); the last of the Imams who never died but has lived for over 1000 years somewhere on Earth in 'Occultation'; who prophesies tell us will return some time before Judgement Day to vanquish tyranny and rule Earth in justice and peace; ritual purity; this prohibits physical contact with impure substances such as dogs, pigs, excrement, nonbelievers; and prohibits impurities from entering 'mosques, and shrines, and the like'. Prior to the spread of Khomeini's book Islamic Government after 1970, it was agreed that only the rule of an Imam, i.e. the Twelfth Imam for the contemporary world, was legitimate or 'fully legitimate'. While waiting for his return and rule, Shia jurists have tended to stick to one of three approaches to the state, according to at least two historians (Moojan Momen, Ervand Abrahamian): cooperated with it, trying to influence policies by becoming active in politics, or most commonly, remaining aloof from it. For many centuries prior to the spread of Khomeini's book, 'no Shii writer ever explicitly contended that monarchies per se were illegitimate or that the senior clergy had the authority to control the state.'

Did You Know?

• Khomeini's form of Islamism became known as Khomeinism.
• The Iranian Revolution (1978–1979) changed militant Islam from a topic of limited impact to one few were unaware of.
• Historian Ervand Abrahamian argues Khomeini's movement converted traditional Shi'ism from a conservative quietist faith into a militant political ideology.
• Khomeini followed traditional Shi'i attitudes in his writings until the late 1960s, then changed dramatically in late 1969.
• Prior to 1970, no Shii writer had explicitly contended that monarchies were illegitimate or that senior clergy should control the state.