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by Saybhan Samat
(May 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Nineteen years have past since the sad demise of a great leader, A leader whose smile warmed the hearts of millions of Muslims and who’s movement shook the world of oppressors. Yes, the world remembers the sad day when the spirit of Alhaj Imam Roohullah Al Musavi Al Khomeini departed for its heavenly abode.
June 3rd 2008 marks the 19th anniversary of the demise of the late Ayatollah Imam Roohulla Al Musavi Al Khomeini who strode the world stage like a colossus from February 11th 1979 to June 3rd 1989 and left a legacy that changed the history of Iran in particular and the whole world in general.
Nothing in the circumstances of the Imam’s early years suggested future greatness. An Ayatollah which literally means “sign of God” takes his name from the place of his birth. The future Imam was born in 1902 in the insignificantly small town of Khomein some distance away from the south of Tehran into a deeply religious family who were descendants of the Prophet Mohamed (S). His father Ayatollah Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini was martyred by one of the feudal lords backed by the then Iranian Government, he was only 6 months. His mother, Hajara who was raised in a pious family of scholars died of illness in 1908. From the age of 6, the young Khomeini was raised by his paternal aunt, Sahebeh Khanoum who passed away when the late Imam was 15 years.
The loss of his parents and beloved aunt at an early age were his first lesson for mysticism and gnosis. He understood that life on earth was transient and ephemeral and that one should not attach one’s self to the material world obsessively.
The lesson on mysticism learnt early in childhood and adolescence was to guide the young man as he went from his birth place to Arak Seminary and after to Qum to further continue his studies in religious sciences and his training enabled him to be an excellent scholar, writer, poet, gnostic, philosopher, and political ideologue. He finally blossomed out to be a celebrity and beloved charismatic leader of the Islamic revolution and founder of today’s Islamic Republic of Iran
The legacy is monumental indeed! He left an Islamic state now 29 years which functions as the closest model to the first Islamic state established by Prophet Mohamed (S) in Medina in 632 A.D
Perhaps his most outstanding achievement was in the fields of mysticism and gnosis. He was indeed a master of the art. His mystic powers in actual fact helped him to gain his other outstanding abilities and become a powerful personality. The Western world and other secular person who dominate the world could not fathom his behavior and actions.
His vicegeral figure was imposing. He was an ascetic all his life and did not care for the trappings of political power. He lived in a small house in down – town Jamaran near the mosque. They failed to comprehend the motivation and mind set of a man inspired by the transcendental and resplendent attributes of God of whom he had abounding faith and trust by his knowledge and practice of gnosticism.
Mystic sufi saints are familiar with the four part journey of wayfaring towards God propounded by Sadr – al – Mutahaallihin (Mulla Sadr) a famous theosophist.
The four part journey consists of
(1) Man’s journey from the material fleeting life unto God
(2) The Journey unto God with God meaning , knowing God
(3) The journey from God back to the material world with God
(4) The journey with God among creatures to work for human freedom and salvation
These parts are covered by the mystics and the prophets alike although the types of unitary experience in these stages differ in depth and comprehensiveness for each individual. Only the Prophets go through the last phase and complete the circle. Allama Iqbal wrote : “The Prophet’s return is creative. He returns to insert himself into he sweep of time with a view to control the forces of history, and thereby creates a fresh world of ideals.” A Prophet may be defined as type of mystic consciousness in which unitary experience tends to overflow its boundaries and redirecting or refashioning the force of collective life.
Imam Khomeini’s gnosticism and mystical practice were in line with the unique experience of completing all four parts of the spiritual journey to enter into active social political life that has left his name to be unforgotten in the annals of world history. As time goes on historians and intellectuals will study his life history and realize more of his greatness.
The scenario in Iran 19 years ago after the day of June 3rd that followed the death of Imam Khomeini was that of mass grief and public adulation which highlighted the re – assertion of the love of the masses to their beloved leader.
The Imam’s funeral was for all practical purpose a re – run of the Islamic revolution 11 years prior. If 2 million people lined of the streets and roof – tops of Tehran on 1st February 1979 to welcome the Imam to rule over his domination, a record 12 million people converged on Tehran from all parts of Iran and some from many parts of the world, to bury the body of Roohullah – Al – Musavi – Al – Khomeini, in fact to make the Imam immortal! It was the most attended funeral that ever was and will perhaps ever be!
What is most surprising is that even today on June 3rd, in Iran, in anniversary commemorative ceremonies held in Tehran and other provincial towns and villages millions gather to weep and grieve their lost leader.
After the weeping and prayer lively slogans rent the air assuring their commitment to the ideals and goals that their beloved leaders stood far. The crowds are not limited to Iranians, thousands come from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, and a few even from Sri Lanka.
Since 11th February 1979, 29 years after the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran the Western powers especially the U.S have imposed economic sanctions, demonized Imam Khomeini and his legacy in addition to aiding Iraq to attack Iran and have continuously tried and is always trying to destabilize Iran.
Through it all Iran has survived the hostility to this day stronger than ever, thanks to the efforts of a gnostic with mystic powers who gave dignity and honour to Iran, Islam and Islamic systems to a world gone to seed on secularism and materialism.
In conclusion, it is relevant to re call a supplication that Imam Khomeini taught all his followers which they repeated on a daily basis and which they even do so now.
Lord! Grant brightness of sincerity to the mirror of the heart. Cleanse the rust of hypocrisy from the tablet of the heart, and show the path of virtue and salvation to the helpless wanderers in the mazes of the bewilderment and error and confusion. Endow us with the nobleness and generosity of character. Reveal to us your glory and splendour, that you have reserved only for your chosen servants. Expel the legions of Satan and ignorance from the realms of our heart, implant the divine hosts of knowledge and wisdom in their stead. Enrich our hearts with the profusion of your love and that of your Chosen in this transitory world, this ephemeral lodging place. And shower Your choicest blessing upon us at the time of death and thereafter. Extend to us your mercy, and grant us proximity to the Highest Good. Aamin!
- Sri Lanka Guardian
(May 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Nineteen years have past since the sad demise of a great leader, A leader whose smile warmed the hearts of millions of Muslims and who’s movement shook the world of oppressors. Yes, the world remembers the sad day when the spirit of Alhaj Imam Roohullah Al Musavi Al Khomeini departed for its heavenly abode.
June 3rd 2008 marks the 19th anniversary of the demise of the late Ayatollah Imam Roohulla Al Musavi Al Khomeini who strode the world stage like a colossus from February 11th 1979 to June 3rd 1989 and left a legacy that changed the history of Iran in particular and the whole world in general.
Nothing in the circumstances of the Imam’s early years suggested future greatness. An Ayatollah which literally means “sign of God” takes his name from the place of his birth. The future Imam was born in 1902 in the insignificantly small town of Khomein some distance away from the south of Tehran into a deeply religious family who were descendants of the Prophet Mohamed (S). His father Ayatollah Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini was martyred by one of the feudal lords backed by the then Iranian Government, he was only 6 months. His mother, Hajara who was raised in a pious family of scholars died of illness in 1908. From the age of 6, the young Khomeini was raised by his paternal aunt, Sahebeh Khanoum who passed away when the late Imam was 15 years.
The loss of his parents and beloved aunt at an early age were his first lesson for mysticism and gnosis. He understood that life on earth was transient and ephemeral and that one should not attach one’s self to the material world obsessively.
The lesson on mysticism learnt early in childhood and adolescence was to guide the young man as he went from his birth place to Arak Seminary and after to Qum to further continue his studies in religious sciences and his training enabled him to be an excellent scholar, writer, poet, gnostic, philosopher, and political ideologue. He finally blossomed out to be a celebrity and beloved charismatic leader of the Islamic revolution and founder of today’s Islamic Republic of Iran
The legacy is monumental indeed! He left an Islamic state now 29 years which functions as the closest model to the first Islamic state established by Prophet Mohamed (S) in Medina in 632 A.D
Perhaps his most outstanding achievement was in the fields of mysticism and gnosis. He was indeed a master of the art. His mystic powers in actual fact helped him to gain his other outstanding abilities and become a powerful personality. The Western world and other secular person who dominate the world could not fathom his behavior and actions.
His vicegeral figure was imposing. He was an ascetic all his life and did not care for the trappings of political power. He lived in a small house in down – town Jamaran near the mosque. They failed to comprehend the motivation and mind set of a man inspired by the transcendental and resplendent attributes of God of whom he had abounding faith and trust by his knowledge and practice of gnosticism.
Mystic sufi saints are familiar with the four part journey of wayfaring towards God propounded by Sadr – al – Mutahaallihin (Mulla Sadr) a famous theosophist.
The four part journey consists of
(1) Man’s journey from the material fleeting life unto God
(2) The Journey unto God with God meaning , knowing God
(3) The journey from God back to the material world with God
(4) The journey with God among creatures to work for human freedom and salvation
These parts are covered by the mystics and the prophets alike although the types of unitary experience in these stages differ in depth and comprehensiveness for each individual. Only the Prophets go through the last phase and complete the circle. Allama Iqbal wrote : “The Prophet’s return is creative. He returns to insert himself into he sweep of time with a view to control the forces of history, and thereby creates a fresh world of ideals.” A Prophet may be defined as type of mystic consciousness in which unitary experience tends to overflow its boundaries and redirecting or refashioning the force of collective life.
Imam Khomeini’s gnosticism and mystical practice were in line with the unique experience of completing all four parts of the spiritual journey to enter into active social political life that has left his name to be unforgotten in the annals of world history. As time goes on historians and intellectuals will study his life history and realize more of his greatness.
The scenario in Iran 19 years ago after the day of June 3rd that followed the death of Imam Khomeini was that of mass grief and public adulation which highlighted the re – assertion of the love of the masses to their beloved leader.
The Imam’s funeral was for all practical purpose a re – run of the Islamic revolution 11 years prior. If 2 million people lined of the streets and roof – tops of Tehran on 1st February 1979 to welcome the Imam to rule over his domination, a record 12 million people converged on Tehran from all parts of Iran and some from many parts of the world, to bury the body of Roohullah – Al – Musavi – Al – Khomeini, in fact to make the Imam immortal! It was the most attended funeral that ever was and will perhaps ever be!
What is most surprising is that even today on June 3rd, in Iran, in anniversary commemorative ceremonies held in Tehran and other provincial towns and villages millions gather to weep and grieve their lost leader.
After the weeping and prayer lively slogans rent the air assuring their commitment to the ideals and goals that their beloved leaders stood far. The crowds are not limited to Iranians, thousands come from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, and a few even from Sri Lanka.
Since 11th February 1979, 29 years after the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran the Western powers especially the U.S have imposed economic sanctions, demonized Imam Khomeini and his legacy in addition to aiding Iraq to attack Iran and have continuously tried and is always trying to destabilize Iran.
Through it all Iran has survived the hostility to this day stronger than ever, thanks to the efforts of a gnostic with mystic powers who gave dignity and honour to Iran, Islam and Islamic systems to a world gone to seed on secularism and materialism.
In conclusion, it is relevant to re call a supplication that Imam Khomeini taught all his followers which they repeated on a daily basis and which they even do so now.
Lord! Grant brightness of sincerity to the mirror of the heart. Cleanse the rust of hypocrisy from the tablet of the heart, and show the path of virtue and salvation to the helpless wanderers in the mazes of the bewilderment and error and confusion. Endow us with the nobleness and generosity of character. Reveal to us your glory and splendour, that you have reserved only for your chosen servants. Expel the legions of Satan and ignorance from the realms of our heart, implant the divine hosts of knowledge and wisdom in their stead. Enrich our hearts with the profusion of your love and that of your Chosen in this transitory world, this ephemeral lodging place. And shower Your choicest blessing upon us at the time of death and thereafter. Extend to us your mercy, and grant us proximity to the Highest Good. Aamin!
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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