The Islamic Revolution of Iran, 42 years after its victory, continues on its path towards the goals it has set. This revolution continues to impress people who are searching for justice and truth.
The victory of the Islamic Revolution was the beginning of profound changes in Iran and also in many other countries. This historic event has changed many political equations in the world and in the region in favor of the disenfranchised and the weakened, and has triggered a wave of freedom movements around the world. The Islamic Revolution has brought new prestige and greatness to Islam. It has revived the religious identity of the world Islamic community and demonstrated to the world’s people how to fight the arrogant violent powers.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, which triumphed in February 1979, not only challenged the domination policies of the U.S. and other powerful countries, but it also sent important messages in the following 4 decades. These messages are not getting old, in fact they are becoming increasingly attractive to contemporary people. A distinctive feature of the Islamic Revolution is that it has maintained its goals, so that even though 42 years have passed since its victory, it continues to appeal to people seeking law and justice.
The Islamic Revolution in Iran persists in part because it is based on the approach and noble thinking of divine leaders, especially the Prophet of Mercy and Love, Mohammad (God’s blessings be upon him) and great events such as his appointment as Prophet, or the proclamation of his successor in Ghadir, and the heroic struggle of Imam Husain on Ashura Day. This revolution conforms to the spiritual goals and expectations of man. Exactly at a time when the liberalist and socialist way of thinking has lost its appeal, it has brought the message of honor, freedom and dignity to humanity. That is why the father of this revolution, Imam Khomeini (rh) has said, “Islam and Islamic government are a divine phenomenon, through the realization of which, at the highest level, the welfare of our children in this world and in that world is guaranteed. It can eliminate oppression and exploitation, depravity, corruption and encroachment, and lead people toward the desired ideal.”
Thus, as long as the Islamic republican state order follows the line of true Islam in the light of the Islamic Revolution and keeps alive the spirit of defending Islam and its values among the people, no power will be able to stop it on the way to its lofty human ennobling goals.
It is due to God’s power that He directs hearts in one direction and appeals to them by means of the natural disposition He has bestowed upon human beings. God has said in verse 63 of Surah 8 (Anfal) that it is He who unites between His servants. This could not have been achieved by the Prophet even if he had used all the treasures on earth for this purpose. The aforementioned verse states:
وَأَلَّفَ بَیْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ لَوْ أَنْفَقْتَ مَا فِی الْأَرْضِ جَمِیعًا مَا أَلَّفْتَ بَیْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَکِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ إِنَّهُ عَزِیزٌ حَکِیمٌ حَکِیمٌ
And He has joined their hearts together. If you had spent all that is in the earth (on it), you could not have joined their hearts together. But Allah has joined them together. Certainly, He is Almighty and All-Wise.
The Islamic Revolution went along with the desire and will of the people and this is another factor for its continuation. The great united protest with its purposeful and unanimous movement is one of the characteristic features of this revolution, which has rarely been seen in history.
An important point to note is that the unanimity and unification of a people needs guidance to bear fruit. The secret of victory is the leader at the top whom everyone obeys. Therefore, in verse 31 of Surah 3 (Al-i Imran), God the All-Knowing has commanded those who say they love God to follow the Prophet of God if they love God:
(O Prophet!) Say: If you love Allah, then follow me. So Allah loves you and forgives your sins. Allah is Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful.
Undoubtedly, Imam Khomeini, with his sincerity and honesty and courage, his high level of knowledge and rank as a jurist, as well as his simple life, was a good example of an influential leader. The believers in Iran have started their great revolution thanks to the guidance of this wise and prudent man and in hope of God’s promises of victory.