Imam Khomeini and Islamic Unity

By Syed Iliyas Ali Rizvi

One of the great divine blessings and favours of mankind is the subject of ‘Human Unity and Solidarity’. Unity and solidarity are intrinsic, rational, religious, political and social necessities that are of the most critical factors for the survival of a society, and the human civilization. It is difficult to write about the subject of great importance – Imam Khomeini and Islamic Unity – as it is very hard to judge the conduct of those who change the course of history. The ones who climb to the roof of the world’s history and usher marvellous events that affect the destiny of millions of people at their era and beyond. They thus not only rid themselves of the dark and tiring of a Boring Life, but lead their societies to ‘peaks of pride and dignity’.

Very often the reality of great men remains undiscovered, either amid the extreme light of hollow praise and admiration of their devotees, or lost in the deep and frightening darkness of their so worn enemies’ poisonous propagation and even curses. One among them is the Imam Khomeini. There are scores of manuscripts and priceless works of the late Imam Khomeini written on subjects like Ethics, Mysticism, Asuol, Philosophy, Politics, Social Sciences and Islamic Jurisprudence. Most of these works are still in the different phases of publication. Unfortunately, many of the invaluable treatises and writings of Imam Khomeini were lost during his exile and during the Shah’s oppressive crackdowns on his literature. But that did not stop Imam to write on different issues.

The depth of the souls of multifaceted personalities, like Imam Khomeini, who became founder of consequential evolutions in the course of the development of human thought and Islamic Unity remains concealed. At a time when the world is full of fake information spread through the web, there is another side which can introduce concealed personalities like Imam Khomeini to the world. Recent misinformation and even disrespect by an academic publication towards this historical figure of the 20th Century needs thorough research and correction by academia. Calling Imam Khomeini an “evil” itself speaks a lot about how truth is concealed or presented with distortion to the larger masses of the globe.  

Imam Khomeini repeatedly emphasized on the rational and spiritual need for unity and solidarity among humans in general and Muslims and Islamic societies in particular and at times referred to unity as “Divine Obligation”. In his view, discord and disunity is considered to be among the most important factors for deviation, defeat, weakness and backwardness of society. This issue can be proven and analysed both from historic as well as the theoretical aspects. In the present globalised world too, the Islamic world has suffered from profound and suicidal differences as a result of the ‘Alien Conspiracies’ and numerous other factors which facilitated the circumstances for their  influence on Muslim Societies.

In the last few centuries, efforts towards unifying Muslims were begun by ideologies such as Sayyed Jamalludin Asadabadi and Muhammad Abduh and various other prominent personalities from across the Islamic societies rose in support of these two men and chanted the slogan of ‘Unity’. As a great theoretician, philosopher, theologian as well as the leader of the oppressed, Imam Khomeini has analysed this issue on various dimensions from a unique perspective and has taken practical steps towards realization of unity in Islamic societies.

Among the steps and efforts made by Imam Khomeini on the subject of Islamic Unity, one can mention various verdicts on this issue, especially the Treatise on Solidarity with other Sects, Revival of the Joint Friday Congregational Prayer, and Declaration of the Global Al-Quds Day.

Meaning of Unity

While defining unity, Imam Khomeini considers:

“Unity and Unanimity as gathering, becoming One, moving in One Single Direction, possessing Unified Objective together on a Single Issue”. 

He regards Muslims to have a mission to establish friendship, ties of kinship and to do well to one another as well as establish camaraderie and fraternity. 

Essence of Unity

In order to analyse the essence of unity, one must take note of its characteristics and special features from the viewpoint of Imam Khomeini. Let’s simply point some general characteristics of unity from his point of view:

1. Gripping at the rope of God.
2. Unity of Expression and Faith.
3. Unity of Action.

Levels of Unity

 From the viewpoint of Imam Khomeini, Islamic Unity can be achieved under different levels: 

1. Unity at the Global level or Unity of Mankind.
2. Unity of the followers of the Divine religions or Unity of the Faithful.
3. Unity of the Weaker and the Oppressed Classes of the Society. 
4. Unity at the level of the Centre of Islam or Unity of Muslims in Islamic World.
5. Unity at the Country Level or Unity of Nationality.

Divine and Religious Obligation of the ‘Sanctity of Unity’

Observance of Unity becomes a ‘Religious Obligation’ – especially in places where the more general interests are in danger.  In special and critical circumstances, Imam Khomeini considers absence of unity to be a kind of ‘Self-annihilation’ and ‘Mass Suicide’. At times, he also regards disunity and discord to be among the ‘Cardinal Sins’ and as betrayal of Islam because it creates a ‘void of power of Islam’ that will result in the defeat of Islam and Muslims. Present situation in Palestine is the best example of the contemporary world. 

Islamic Brotherhood

Based on the Islamic viewpoint, the relationship that is established between the faithful pious is known as ‘Fraternity’ or ‘Brotherhood’. By referring to Brotherhood, Imam Khomeini also stresses that, path to gain “liberation of mind” lies in the existence of such a brotherhood and fraternity. The path to preservation and perpetuation of civilization and the protection of the nation lies in the ‘bond between brotherhood and real unity based on affinity among the individuals of the society’, and this itself is a ‘Socio-canonical Duty’. According to Imam Khomeini, the main foundation of Islamic Brotherhood is: ‘General Expedience of the Islamic Nation’.

CONCLUSION.

Shunning weak and baseless differences that destroy the foundations, are rejected by every healthy mind and indeed, are one of ‘the great sins of social and civic life’ and are a factor of defeat and corruption in society. The world torn with disunity and discord needs healing. Based on what has been mentioned earlier, the essence of unity from the point of view of Imam Khomeini constitutes ‘Unity that is essential for safeguarding the Human Values’. As Imam Khomeini says: 

“Muslim nations should come together and compel their governments to stop sowing discord and stop safeguarding the interests of the foreign invaders. They should attain the path of honour and dignity, happiness, uniformity and brotherhood and above all Eternal Happiness”.

The author is a Consultant for Creative Arts and Crafts; Researcher on Cultures and Heritage, and has worked at the ICPIK (Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works), Tehran, Iran 

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