In the history of Shiite political thought, the relationship between Islamic jurisprudence and politics has long been a subject of debate, with differing views on the scope and forms of religious scholars’ social and political engagement. Sayyed Mostafa Khomeini, following the political thought of Imam Khomeini, believed in the necessity of religious scholars taking an active stand against oppression and tyranny. He also put this conviction into practice.
From the very beginning of Imam Khomeini’s struggle against the Pahlavi regime, he stood alongside him. Following Imam Khomeini’s exile to Turkey in 1964, Sayyed Mostafa was arrested and subsequently exiled himself. In Najaf, his role extended beyond simply accompanying his father. He helped establish connections among activists, relay messages, and follow up on the affairs of the movement.
According to Dr. Ali Komsari, his political activities did not prevent him from teaching, studying, conducting research, and writing. The result is a portrait of a scholar who neither considers society’s problems outside the scope of his responsibilities nor neglects to deepen his scholarly foundations and expertise in Islamic jurisprudence under the pretext of political engagement.“This combination of knowledge and action presents the image of a scholar who neither regards society’s problems as beyond the scope of his responsibilities nor neglects to deepen his scholarly foundations and expertise in Islamic jurisprudence on the pretext of political activism.”
Adapted from the article “If Sayyed Mostafa Were Not the Imam’s Son” by Hojjat al-Islam Dr. Ali Komsari.