Sayings of the Ayatollah Khomeini: Political, Philosophical, Social, & Religious

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Book Overview

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553140329
• ISBN13: 9780553140323
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 125 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Disturbing Look Into the Mind of a Fanatic

For a little over a decade in the late twentieth century, the Ayatollah Khomeini burst onto the world stage from exile and became the figurehead of a revolution that toppled a decadent and at times ruthless Shah only to replace it with an oppressive theocratic republic. The seeds of the modern Middle East were partially sown unded Khomeini's leadership. This brief volume contains translations of some of Khomeini's sayings while in exile on subjects ranging from Holy War, to government, to sexual relations, to taxes, to wiping one's butt (yes, you heard me correctly). I personally feel this book needs to be more highly read by Americans if it even halfway describes the Ayatollah's true opinions. The overall result is a disturbing look into the mind of a man who seemed to think of himself as a Shi'a Islamic messiah. Overall, I recommend it to anyone interested in Middle Eastern history or who just wants a taste of what a fanatic thinks.

Perceptive Philosopher, Proven Prophet & Tolerant Theologian

Reminiscent of the thoughts of the father of freedom John Locke, these sayings are of course rooted in an indigenous Iranian tradition of respect and individual freedom within a certain religious milieu. No influence is implied at all; the tone is in any case much nicer than that of the snooty English liberal. The frank, matter-of-fact style is what makes the writing so endearing. Furthermore, the author displays none of the silly taboos or avoidance of perfectly natural functions - an annoying Western habit - which is refreshing and liberating. Reading the book was like having a talk about the birds and the bees with a wise and kindly uncle. Henceforth, I shall think of the esteemed Author as the Avuncular Philosopher. But first - j'accuse! The outrageously distorted picture of the Great Ayatollah in the West is due to The Failure of Middle Eastern Studies in America as Martin S Kramer so convincingly argues in his work Ivory Towers on Sand. This is confirmed by Khomeini himself when he points out that "[The imperialists] mobilized their Orientalist scholars in the service of imperialism ..." Having been a keen follower of the work of John Esposito and Karen Armstrong, I must respectfully but forcefully express my abject disappointment in both, neither of whom has ever introduced me to these precious words from Valayate-Faghih (The Kingdom of the Learned), Kashfol-Asrar (The Key to Mysteries) and Towzihol-Masael (The Explanation of Problems). This English text, translated by Harold J Salemson, contains a prologue consisting of a Special Introduction by Clive Irving, Editor's Note by Tony Hendra and Preface by compiler Jean-Marie Xaviere. Then follows Part One: Political and Philosophical Sayings with edifying observations on colonialism, revolutionary religion, the rule of the clergy, the Imam, Islamic justice, youth, and media & propaganda. Gems abound, like "Holy war means the conquest of all non-Moslem territories" which obviously refers to Jihad as a personal struggle to overcome sin and weakness. The war is waged in those areas of the psyche (the Dar al-Harb) where evil inclinations reside. With prophetic insight, The Ayatollah declared: "Europe is nothing but a collection of unjust dictatorships". Exactly! The unelected Eurocrats in Brussels are usurping power by stealth, leading to a steady erosion of the ordinary citizen's personal liberties. Combined with oppressive political correctness and suffocating levels of taxation, this usurpation shows the EU returning to a feudal past where a self-appointed ruling class will lord it over the peasants. He adds: "... living their stupid shallow lives!" Amen! For what could possibly be more superficial, wasteful and moronic than multiplying red tape in order to encumber the entrepreneurial spirit & lay heavy burdens on others whilst mouthing the postmodernist pieties of multiculturalism and moral relativism? Quite appropriately he blasts the Europeans for drinking wine whilst reprimandi