More than a leader: Most people know Imam Khomeini (1902–1989) as a political leader. But 'Irfan knows him as one of the greatest mystics of the twentieth century. In his last will and testament, he described himself first as a student of 'Irfan — not as a politician or a jurist.
The Forty Hadith: His Arba'un Hadithan — the Forty Hadith (1939) — is a profound commentary on forty narrations from the Ahl al-Bayt (as). It examines the inner dimensions of each narration with full 'Irfani depth: Kibr (arrogance), Riya' (showing off), the states of the Qalb, and the journey toward Taqwa (God-consciousness). It is not a political work at all. It is pure 'Irfan, and the most accessible modern entry into it.
The secrets of prayer: His Asrar al-Salat (Secrets of the Prayer) is the most complete 'Irfani commentary on the inner dimensions of Salat — Huzur al-Qalb, the Mi'raj dimension of every Rak'a, and the secret of Sujud. His early masterwork, Misbah al-Hidaya ila al-Khilafa wa al-Wilaya, is pure 'Irfan — on the nature of Wilaya, Al-Insan al-Kamil and the Muhammadan Reality. He also wrote a commentary on the Du'a al-Sahar, one of the most intimate 'Irfani texts in the Shia tradition.
One life, not two: Imam Khomeini simultaneously led a revolution, governed a nation, and wrote 'Irfan. He is the definitive proof that 'Irfan, Fiqh and public leadership are not contradictions. They are one integrated reality when the heart is truly aligned.
Example
The doctor's own medicine: A doctor writes a book about a medicine and tells his patients to take it. If he never takes it himself, his patients will doubt his words.
Taking his own medicine: Imam Khomeini wrote about purifying the heart — and he purified his own heart first. He wrote about prayer with presence — and he prayed with presence.
The book and the life agree: When the book and the life agree, people believe. That is why his Forty Hadith still guides readers today.
Key Terms
- Forty Hadith (اربعون حدیثاً) — Imam Khomeini's 1939 commentary on 40 narrations from the Ahl al-Bayt (as)
- Asrar al-Salat (اسرار الصلوٰۃ) — Secrets of the Prayer; Khomeini's 'Irfani commentary on Salat
- Taqwa (تقویٰ) — God-consciousness; guarding the heart from what displeases Allah
- Riya' (ریا) — showing off in worship; doing good deeds to be seen by people
Quran or Hadith
Imam Khomeini: "Prayer is the Mi'raj of the believer — of the heart." — to be checked.
Just as the Prophet (SAW) ascended in the Mi'raj, the believer ascends in prayer — and the ascent happens in the heart.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: An open book labelled "Forty Hadith" with forty small numbered lights rising from its pages toward a heart, and the caption "Forty narrations — one journey of the heart."
- Imam Khomeini (1902–1989) was one of the greatest mystics of the twentieth century.
- His Forty Hadith (1939) explains 40 narrations from the Ahl al-Bayt (as) — on arrogance, showing off, and the states of the heart.
- His Asrar al-Salat is the most complete 'Irfani commentary on prayer.
- He described himself first as a student of 'Irfan, not as a politician.