Normally every revolution that takes place in the world has different motives and causes, and in every revolution a certain fraction of a society rises up and through its common demands gathers the common masses around itself, riding on the wave of change it forces the ruling power – which has no concern about the public demands whatsoever – to kneel. However, from this point of view, the Islamic Revolution is unique and unparalleled, that it cannot be confined to any particular class, such as the working class or the professional class. There is representation of every class of society here; The rich, the poor, the working class and the industrialists all rose up against oppression and handed over the 2500 year old monarchy to the Museum of History. The unique feature of the Islamic Revolution is that it happened in an era when religion was introduced everywhere as a sedative that paralyses its followers, as if they have taken sleeping pills and have nothing to do with the world. In these circumstances, the Islamic Revolution not only influenced the followers of all religions of the world, but also proved to be a turning point in the history of religion and spirituality, after which the world, evasive about religion, became fascinated with it. It was the blessing of this Islamic Revolution that caused millions of people around the world not only to turn to religious principles, but to remove any obstacle that stood in their way. Looking at the effects of religion 42 years ago, it is quite clear where religion stood in social life yesterday and where it stands today. Today, not only Muslims but also Christians, Jews and Hindus around the world have returned back to religion. In Russia, where the mosques were once locked up, today holds Friday prayers in its capital city Moscow with heavy crowds of worshipers filling up its roads and highways is a testament to the revival of religion. Turkey, which had been founded on Ataturk’s principles and atheism, is demonstrating its glorious return to religion. Whether in the United States, Europe or Africa, the religion that was once abandoned by the people as a source of sedentary and indolent lifestyle, today we witness that they are reviving their existence with the same religion. If we want to see the results of the revolution, we can use several estimates and standards. One of the best ways to understand the consequences of the revolution is to look at how the architect of the revolution described the effects of the revolution. The article seeks to describe the effects, the blessings and achievements of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in the light of the statements of Imam Khomeini (may God have mercy on him). Undoubtedly the results and effects of the revolution as expressed by its founder are more reliable and credible than the statements of others, and these are the results on which the current state of the revolution can be measured and evaluated. Significant effects of the revolution on Iran’s domestic policies and the people It is true that the Islamic Revolution has important and significant effects on the domestic policies and the people of Iran, on which many things can be written and read, but according to its Islamic goals, some important effects and results can be described as below: 1. Establishment of the Islamic State The establishment of an Islamic state / government, at a time when Islamic values were being trampled on, and people considered religion as a calamity, is a great achievement of the Islamic Revolution. Anyway, after achieving this goal, Imam Khomeini (RA) didn’t say that we have achieved our fundamental goal, but has stated, “If the Islamic objectives are being achieved, only then can we claim that we are achieving our goals.” Therefore, the only country in the world today that is recognized as the face of Islam and the truth, is the Islamic Republic of Iran. The establishment of an Islamic government is such a great achievement that given the current situation in Iran, one can say that it has no precedent at all. This is an achievement that Imam Khomeini (RA) says about: “We never imagined that we would succeed in this way and within a year and a half we would not only draw the lines of Islamic government but also introduce a practical Islamic model of governance to the world… What we have achieved in this revolution, was beyond our imagination; and after enduring a lot of persecution, we achieved great success; and overthrew a 2500 year old arrogant and oppressive monarchy and formed an Islamic government, a government that is about to step on the path of Islam, Insha’Allah.” It is worth mentioning that the first step to form an Islamic government is to complete the structure of the government and raise its pillars; and it was well done. In the past, there was no record of the people rising up against a corrupt government and in a time span of less than one to one and a half years emerged successful in creating everything that is necessary to form a government. He not only provided the necessary components and pillars for the government, but also drafted the “Constitution of the Islamic Republic” and approved it by the people. He prepared the ground for the election of the “Islamic Republican System” through a referendum, made possible the election of the president and the elected “Council of Experts” and formed the “Islamic Consultative Assembly” by the popular vote. Meanwhile, Imam Khomeini (ra) says: “Even with all these successes, we are still half way, there is still a long way to go ahead. Our biggest goal was not to oust Mohammad Reza Shah, but it was all just a beginning. They had to be removed, and therefore these thorns had to be picked so that we could achieve our real goal, and our real goal is the practical implementation of Islam.” 2. Compilation of the Constitution The compilation of the constitution of the Islamic Republic, in a short span of time after declaring the establishment of the Islamic Republic, is one of the great achievements. Imam Khomeini (RA) says in this regard: “One of the great outcomes of the revolution is the penning of the constitution, rather it is the greatest fruit of the Islamic Republic”. 3. Public and Islamic Revolution One of the great achievements of the Islamic Revolution is that the foundations of the movement that resulted in its victory, are based on Islam. Imam Khomeini (RA) says: This is one of the blessings of this movement, one of the blessings of Islam, that all its institutions are Islamic and popular. 4. Establishing a powerful and stable country A great result of the Islamic Revolution is the introduction of the newfound government of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a stable government to the world. Looking at the stability, power and magnificence of the present day Iran, it is not possible to assess that this is the same country that has been suffering from economic sanctions for 42 years. And this is the country that had been at war for eight years, a war in which the whole world aligned with Saddam, and it fought successfully only with the strength of its faith. Even today, Iran is fighting global imperialism on the fronts of Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Imam Khomeini (RA) talks about the stability and power of Iran in the early days of the revolution. “Iran is one of the most stable countries… Where can you find a country that is so stable? Where can you find a country where none of its existing organisations get disturbed by the killing of one or two people? Whereas we have witnessed complete system paralysis if someone died. Today, we saw that the president was martyred and the entire Iran is stable and has strengthened even more. Everyone is mourning for the martyred president and asking each other to protect one another.” 5. The fall of the oppressive monarchy Is it an ordinary success of the Islamic Revolution that the 2,500-year-old monarchy fell to the ground? If the revolution had no other achievement, this one alone would not have been insignificant. The Islamic Revolution saved Iran from 2,500 years of tyranny. And even today this revolution is withstanding the imperial temperament all over the world as it withstood Muhammad Reza Shah until he was defeated. Therefore, the overthrow of the monarchy was in itself a great achievement, which can be said that if the mission of the revolution was only to save Iran from the monarchy, it would still be a great work. And this is not us, but Imam Khomeini (RA) has stated: “This movement has several blessings and effects, one of its great blessings is that it broke the monarchy, evicted the thieves and the plunderers from the country, cut off the hands of the polytheism and the hypocrisy as well as the hands of those who were devouring the riches of oil, and plundering. These were the blessings that we’ve achieved. [Anyway] Even if we had not achieved any of these successes, it would have been enough for us to have ousted this plundering [Pahlavi] clan.” 6. Sovereignty and Independence There was a time when even the smallest issues of Iran were resolved in Washington, but today, thanks to the Islamic revolution, Iran is recognized as a country with an independent political stance. The entire world knows that the Islamic Republic is not under the influence of any country; and that Iran, in terms of political sovereignty, despite economic sanctions, still stands where it was at the beginning of the revolution and neither yesterday nor today has this country’s political sovereignty been compromised. One of the reasons for maintaining political sovereignty is that Iran has not allowed pro-Western elements, who wanted to make Iran a political puppet of any country or pro-East and West, to flourish. Imam Khomeini (RA) says in this regard: “Today, with the blessing of faith, commitment to Islam, a great change has taken place at various levels, Islamic Iran has removed the East and the West and other deviant elements from its country and does not allow any power to interfere in its affairs.” 7. Dismantling of oppression For a long time in Iran, the atmosphere was such that the oppressed and the poor were constantly oppressed by the ruling class, depriving the people of their rights while strengthening the rich. But thanks to the Islamic Revolution, the monopoly of a few royal families on the use of special benefits was lifted. On the contrary, the wealth of the country was distributed among the people, the era of arbitrariness in the affairs of the country is over, and now there is no one who commits lawlessness and is not accountable to anyone. Today, everyone is aware that everyone shall be held accountable for what they have done. As a result, those who did not follow the law and filled their pockets with national wealth were fired. The people raised their voices to achieve their right, and dismantled the tyranny. It is the same today and the Islamic Revolution is categorically standing against any kind of internal or external oppression. Imam Khomeini (RA) says: “Today’s era is different from the previous government, because today the state is running in such a way that it is not in the hands of anyone who does what he pleases and uses force, puts pressure on the people and imposes a task on the people, today we do not have such a position or official, meaning that our nation no longer tolerates such an official. On the contrary, the situation of the nation today is such that even if an official wants to impose something on the nation, the nation will stand before him, they will stand in front of him with their fists clenched resisting before him. This is a great blessing for a nation, that no one can oppress it.” 8. Freedom One of the achievements of the Islamic Revolution was that it gave the people freedom, without which the conception of human life is impossible. Is life without freedom also a life? Intellectuals like Hegel interpret freedom as the essence of life. In the pre-revolutionary era, freedom was only to the extent that the monarchy desired. But after the Islamic Revolution, this condition has changed and entered into the premises of religion. And the scope of freedom in religion extends to the freedoms that Allah Almighty has given to His servants. Where a person’s order does not apply unconditionally to anyone and no individual can arbitrarily restrict a person’s freedom. Regarding this, Imam Khomeini (RA) says: “This freedom that we have today, this freedom is for women, it is for men, it is for the writers, whatever is in your interest, whatever is in your favour, you have freedom over it, you are free to express yourself, criticise the government, criticise every person who acts indecently, no one is going to question you. 9. Political freedom The Islamic Revolution not only granted freedom of speech and writing, but also gave everyone the right to political freedom. According to the constitution, he can speak and criticise. Whereas in the past, during the rule of monarchy, these freedoms did not exist. As Imam Khomeini (RA) says : “The blessing of freedom is a great blessing that human beings have, you were not given this blessing, you were not free to say a word, you could not gather in this (Imam’s house) place, was it possible for you that we could sit and talk to each other, it was not allowed for anyone to step inside the door, even if someone entered secretly, he had to go to the police station, God has given you the blessing of freedom, now it is your test what you do with this freedom.” 10. Freedom of election Freedom of expression and political freedom is not the only thing that the Islamic Revolution has given the people, rather it has given every human being the freedom to express his views, to have his own opinion and to choose whoever he wants. As Imam Khomeini (RA) says: “As I have said many times, people are free in elections and do not need a guardian, and no individual, group or faction has the right to impose a person or persons on the people.” The above 10 points of the Islamic Revolution are among the most important points of the achievements of the revolution that Imam Khomeini (RA) described in the early years of the revolution, which are still resonant and lasting as well. And today, the Islamic Revolution is the voice of justice in the world against oppression, the beating heart of the oppressed, and the people beyond the land and geography see it as the voice of their own heart. ……….. Note: All of Imam Khomeini’s statements are derived from the magazine Hosoun: The achievements of the Islamic Revolution from the perspective of Imam Khomeini (RA); Sadegh Farazi, Hossoon Magazine Early 2005, No. 2. Written by: Syed Najeeb Ul Hassan Zaidi Translated by: Al-Haaj Hussain
