Khomeini defends the absolute oneness of God against criticisms from contemporary religious sects and modernist thinkers. He argues that honoring the Prophet and the Twelver Imams does not breach monotheism, but rather serves as a conduit for understanding divine authority. 2. Imamah (The Leadership)
: In this early work, Khomeini did not yet argue for the absolute rule of the jurist ( Velayat-e Faqih
Khomeini's Views in Kashf-ul-Asrar | PDF | Ali | Sunni Islam kashf ul asrar khomeini pdf top
Uses Quranic verses and canonical traditions, such as the Hadith of Position, to establish the spiritual and political legitimacy of the Imams.
A major portion of the book is dedicated to defending Shia rituals that were under attack by Hakimzadeh. Khomeini provides a robust theological defense of key practices, arguing they are essential to maintaining faith and identity. These include: Khomeini defends the absolute oneness of God against
Khomeini penned the book in the early 1940s, shortly after the forced abdication of Reza Shah Pahlavi. The immediate catalyst was a controversial 1943 pamphlet titled Asrar-i Hazarsala (The Thousand-Year Secrets) written by Ali Akbar Hakimzadeh. Hakimzadeh, a former seminary student, attacked traditional Shia practices—such as the mourning of Muharram and the visitation of shrines ( ziyarat )—labeling them as superstitious corruptions engineered by the clergy to maintain social control.
For scholars, students of history, and researchers looking for a , this article provides a comprehensive overview of the book’s context, key themes, and its significance in Islamic political theory. 1. Background and Context of "Kashf ul Asrar" Imamah (The Leadership) : In this early work,
Defends the authenticity and chains of narration of Shia prophetic traditions.
On the other hand, the book’s radical departure lies in its insistence on the political authority of the (religious scholars). Khomeini argues that Islam is not merely a set of personal beliefs but a complete governing system that dictates law, economics, and foreign policy. Therefore, the state must be supervised by those who are most learned in Islamic law—the clerics. This call for direct clerical oversight of the state was a revolutionary idea that directly challenged the very foundation of the Pahlavi monarchy's secular legitimacy.