The Islamic Revolution and Social Ethics in Imam Khomeini’s Thought: From Theory to Practice

This paper is an attempt to explain social ethics in Imam Khomeini's thought by using an analytical-descriptive approach. Documental method has been employed to analyze the data collected from the works, speeches and books of Imam Khomeini. What follows is a good example for how the hypotheses have been tested in this paper. Ethics in Imam Khomeini's thought is the very Islamic ethical system which is based on Quran and hadith (traditions) handed down from the Infallibles. Ethics for Imam Khomeini encompasses the entire human life -- in this world and the Hereafter as well as individual and social life. Imam Khomeini has considered all aspects of ethics to propose a practical approach in this regard. For Imam Khomeini, the ultimate goal of ethics is for the human to get closer to spiritual values and God. Social ethics in Imam Khomeini's thought has intellectual and anthropological foundations, the most important of which are mentioned in this paper. Value, power of will, free-will and perfectionism are among the theoretical anthropological foundations of social ethics that leave a crucial influence on his social life. Comprehensiveness, moderation, priority of spirituality over materiality, rationality, incentive, and the ultimate ideal are among other theoretical foundations of social ethics in Imam Khomeini's thought each of which having its own influence on human life. In section of practical ethics in both political and social behaviors, some of Imam Khomeini's viewpoints and his ethical precept -- like social justice, mercy and kindness, serving the public, and attention to the Muslim's coffers – are mentioned that Imam himself did observe and asked others to follow suit.