Islam and Revolution: Writings and Declarations of Imam Khomeini

Islam and Revolution collects key writings and speeches by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the religious leader who spearheaded Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. The texts span from 1941 to 1980, documenting Khomeini's development of political Islamic theory and his calls for overthrowing the Shah's regime. The book includes Khomeini's foundational work on Islamic government, originally delivered as lectures in 1970. The collection also features his public statements, religious decrees, and communications with political figures during the revolutionary period and early days of the Islamic Republic. The writings establish Khomeini's vision of an Islamic state guided by religious law and led by Islamic jurists. His arguments draw on Shi'a Islamic traditions while engaging with modern political concepts and responding to Western influences in Iran. This compilation offers insight into the theological and political foundations of Iran's Islamic Revolution, revealing how religious ideology can be mobilized for revolutionary change. The texts demonstrate the intersection of traditional Islamic thought with contemporary politics and governance.

Readers find this collection valuable for understanding Khomeini's political-religious ideology and the foundations of the Iranian Revolution firsthand. Reviews emphasize its importance as a primary source document. Liked: - Clear translation that preserves Khomeini's original tone - Detailed explanations of Islamic governance concepts - Historical context provided through footnotes - Direct insight into Khomeini's vision and reasoning Disliked: - Dense theological arguments difficult for non-specialists - Repetitive sections and circular logic - Some readers found the rhetoric inflammatory - Limited coverage of certain periods/topics Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (82 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 reviews) Notable reader comment: "While I disagree with much of his ideology, this book helps explain the Iranian Revolution better than any Western analysis could." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers noted the book requires background knowledge of Islamic law and Iranian history to fully comprehend.

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📚 The book was translated by Hamid Algar, a prominent British-American scholar who spent over a decade carefully translating Khomeini's works to ensure accuracy. 🕌 Khomeini wrote much of the content while in exile in Iraq and France (1965-1979), developing his concept of velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the Islamic jurist). 📜 The collection includes Khomeini's famous series of lectures from 1970 known as "Islamic Government," which became the theoretical foundation for Iran's current system of government. ⚔️ The book reveals Khomeini's transformation from a religious scholar focused on Islamic law to a revolutionary leader who merged religious ideology with political activism. 🌍 When first published in 1981, it was one of the few English translations of Khomeini's works available to Western readers, making it a crucial resource for understanding the Iranian Revolution.