According to Imam Khomeini, taking into account the way of life of religious leaders, it is necessary to study the misleading idea of the separation of religion form politics.
Usually, the leaders of every faith are considered to be the symbols of that faith.
A quick look at the lives of all religious leaders, in general, and the honorable prophet of Islam and the infallible Imams (peace be upon them), in particular would indicate that they did not keep themselves aloof from politics in their lives.
Regarding the Prophet's(PBUH) way of life, Imam Khomeini says:
“The Prophet's policies on internal and external affairs indicate that one of his tasks was his political activity.”
The clearest hallmark of the political life of the Prophet was the formation of a government in Medina and its extension to the Jazirat al-Arab (Arabian Peninsula).
Imam Khomeini stresses that even after establishing a government in Medina he began dispatching letters to different countries. In the seventh year of Hijra, he dispatched certain representatives to Iran, Habasha (Ethiopia), Egypt, and Bahrain to carry out his mission.
Another feature that signify the political life of the Prophet (PBUH) is his anxiety about the future of the Muslims in his absence and departure from this world. Hence, he used to introduce his representative to people in different occasions and made his official declaration regarding his successor in Ghadir Khum.
The Qur'an declared that if the holy prophet failed to promulgate message, his religion would remain incomplete. `Allamah Tabatabai's interpretation of this verse of the Qur'an is remarkable.
In this regard Imam Khomeini says:
“ Appointment of Imam `Ali the caliphate of Muslims by the Prophet(s) was a kind of delegation of power from the Prophet to Imam `Ali(PBUH). Even infallible Imams involved themselves in politics in their lives .Some of them devoted their time only on offering prayers or carrying out teaching .The fact is that through such opportunity, they wanted to reform the society.
In Imam Khomeini's view, besides the Prophet of Islam, all Prophets had political activities . In fact, the structure of the Tawhidi religions is intermingled with political and social activities.
Regarding the Prophet Jesus who seems to be, in the eyes of his follower, a pious man and away from politics, Imam Khomeini says:
“Even the Prophet Jesus whose followers consider him as a spiritual man, from the beginning he wanted to struggle. Even, when he was born, he declared that he had brought the Book. Such a person would never stay at home. If he wanted to teach only why had he been harassed.”