Islamic Revolution and Its Impact on the Agent
To study the status and cause of any revolution, first, the dominant school of thought must be recognized with all its nature and generalities; second, the interests and approaches of the rising people should be taken into consideration.
Moreover, ideology serves as a kind of roadmap and guidance tool for the ideologist agent that controls the interactions and behaviors of the governments. It is indeed the drive force for political action of the masses and political agents. With respect to the above, it is impossible to have a sound recognition of the Islamic Revolution without understanding about the Shia or revolutionary ideology, Imam Khomeini's role as the major ideologist and agent of the Islamic revolution, and his interpretations of the Shia tenets. With respect to the role and importance of ideology in the behavior and performance of the chief revolutionary forces we can say Shi'ism possessed all the requirements to be a revolutionary ideology. With the help of the great ideologist of the Islamic Revolution it could question the existing order and present the appropriate substitute order not only for Iran but also for the other countries. The potentials with Shia Islam and some other factors inside this religion allowed presentation of an interpretation based on Islamic school of thought. On the other hand, some elements such a social equity, leadership of a pious man, and potentials for reinterpretation or ideological interpretation facilitated hegemonic development of Shia Islam.
Such factors and concepts as dissimulation, martyrdom, occultation of the Imam of Time, belief in the second coming of the Great Savior, ... coupled with Imam Khomeini's outstanding role in the place of revolutionary ideologist and architect facilitated transition of new interpretations of Islamic school of thought to the followers and the acceptance of Ijtihad (religious leadership).
Therefore, in the course of mobilization of the masses for revolution, the normal functions of an ideology could be realized desirably. This means that Shia ideology could manage well the transition of political awareness for alignment, questioning the existing social ranks in particular and social conditions in general, presenting a new System of values and generalities of a desirable society,... and finally the success in briefing the followers on the fact that the revolution is both legitimate and rational. The success in realizing ordinary functions of an ideology in the course of the revolution led to its hegemony in an appropriate way.
Source: Echo of Islam Magazine
Other links:
Iran’s Islamic Revolution events (20 &21 Bahman,1357)
Iran’s Islamic Revolution events (22 Bahman 1357)
Return of Ayatollah Khomeini to Iran
Culmination and Victory of the Islamic Revolution
