A New Version of the Arguments for the Intermingling of Religion and Politics from Imam Khomeini's Viewpoint

The intermingling of religion and politics has long been a matter of continual controversy among the proponents and opponents of this theory. As a founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, who is an proponent of the theory of the intermingling of religion and politics, has resorted to the rational and transmitted arguments to explainthis theory. He maintains that Islam as a comprehensive religion, the nature of Islamic laws, Islamic government as a basis for the enforcement of Islamic injunctions, the administration of justice and the necessity of preserving the Islamic system all bring evidence for the intermingling of religion and politics, referring to the verses 58 and 59 of the Sura “Women” (an-Nisa‘), Mutheqa of Fadl ibn Shazan, Sahiha of Muhammadibn Muslim, Marazem’s tradition quoted from Imam Sadiq and Tawqi‘ of Sharif as transmitted arguments in favor of the intermingling of religion and politics. Furthermore, the life-style or conduct of the divine Prophets, and the political conduct of the holy Prophet Muhammad and that of the Infallible Imams (may peace be upon them all) are taken by Imam Khomeini as indications of the intermingling of religion and politics.