Analysis of Imam Khomeini’s Qur’anic Citations in His Pre-Revolutionary Statements
Document Type : مقاله پژوهشی
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Education, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of History, Arak University, Arak, Iran
10.22084/qss.2025.30300.1095
Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the pattern and significance of Qur’anic verses in the political thought of Imam Khomeini (RA) during the pre-revolutionary period. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, it seeks to answer the central question: what conceptual and frequency patterns characterize Imam Khomeini’s Qur’anic citations in this period?
In the first stage, all his Qur’anic references found in written works and speeches of the time (including Sahife-ye Imam and Velāyat-e Faqih) were examined through quantitative content analysis. The data derived from 79 extracted citations were categorized into three main components—“Formation of a Monotheistic-Islamic Society,” “Divine Promise of Victory,” and “Qur’anic Models”—and statistically analyzed using the chi-square test. The quantitative findings indicate a significant difference in citation frequencies: “Monotheistic-Islamic Society” (48.1%) and “Divine Promise of Victory” (40.5%) had the highest frequencies, followed by “Qur’anic Models” (11.4%). In the second stage, this quantitative pattern was interpreted through qualitative content analysis. The results show that Imam Khomeini’s discursive strategy was centered on two major axes: first, laying the theoretical foundations of an alternative form of government through the concept of a “Monotheistic Society,” and second, mobilizing the masses and inspiring hope among revolutionaries through “Qur’anic promises of victory.” The relatively limited use of Qur’anic models reflects his focus on broad social structures and foundational theoretical principles during that critical historical juncture.
In the first stage, all his Qur’anic references found in written works and speeches of the time (including Sahife-ye Imam and Velāyat-e Faqih) were examined through quantitative content analysis. The data derived from 79 extracted citations were categorized into three main components—“Formation of a Monotheistic-Islamic Society,” “Divine Promise of Victory,” and “Qur’anic Models”—and statistically analyzed using the chi-square test. The quantitative findings indicate a significant difference in citation frequencies: “Monotheistic-Islamic Society” (48.1%) and “Divine Promise of Victory” (40.5%) had the highest frequencies, followed by “Qur’anic Models” (11.4%). In the second stage, this quantitative pattern was interpreted through qualitative content analysis. The results show that Imam Khomeini’s discursive strategy was centered on two major axes: first, laying the theoretical foundations of an alternative form of government through the concept of a “Monotheistic Society,” and second, mobilizing the masses and inspiring hope among revolutionaries through “Qur’anic promises of victory.” The relatively limited use of Qur’anic models reflects his focus on broad social structures and foundational theoretical principles during that critical historical juncture.
Keywords
1. The Holy Qur’an.
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2. Asghari Jafarabadi, M., Soltani, A., & Mohammadi, S. M. (2013). Statistical Series: Analysis of contingency tables (Chi-square test). Iranian Journal of Diabetes and Metabolism, 13(2), 83–101.
3. Creswell, J. W. (2016). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (A. Kiamanesh & M. Danayi-Tous, Trans.). Tehran: Jihad Daneshgahi Press, Allameh Tabataba’i Branch, 3rd ed.
4. Eftekhari, A., & Mortazavi Emami, S. A. (2012). A comparison between the theory of charismatic authority and Imam Khomeini’s leadership. Iranian Journal of Islamic Revolution Studies, 1(1), 9–28.
5. Fayz Kāshānī, M. (1418 AH). Al-Aṣfī fī Tafsīr al-Qur’ān. Qom: Islamic Propagation Office Press, 1st ed.
6. Hakimzadeh, F., & Abdolmaleki, J. (2011). Proposal writing in qualitative and mixed-method studies. Tehran: Sociologists Publications, 1st ed.
7. Hassani, M. H. (2010). An introduction to integrative methodology in interdisciplinary social research. Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities Quarterly, 2(4), 137–153.
8. Hazāveh’i, S. M. (2001). Reform and revolution in Qur’anic teachings. Political Science Research Journal, 15.
9. Khomeini, R. (2010). Sahifeh-ye Imam [Collected Works of Imam Khomeini]. Tehran: Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, 5th ed.
10. Khomeini, R. (n.d.). Velayat-e Faqih (Islamic Government – New Edition). Tehran: Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, 1st ed.
11. Lakzaei, N. (2011). An Introduction to the Qur’anic Foundations of Imam Khomeini’s Political Philosophy. Qom: Bustan-e Ketab Publishing, 4th ed.
12. Makarem Shirazi, N. (1995). Tafsir-e Nemuneh (The Exemplary Exegesis). Tehran: Dār al-Kutub al-Islāmiyyah, 1st ed.
13. Qara’ati, M. (2006). Tafsir-e Noor (Lessons from the Qur’an). Tehran: Dars-hā-ye Az Qur’an Cultural Center. Digital version available at gharaati.ir.
14. Qomi, ‘A. b. I. (1435 AH). Tafsir Qomi. Qom: Imam Mahdi Institute.
15. Rāghib al-Isfahānī, H. b. M. (1412 AH). Al-Mufradāt fī Gharīb al-Qur’ān. Damascus–Beirut: Dār al-‘Ilm, al-Dār al-Shāmiyyah, 1st ed.
16. Ṭabarsī, F. b. Ḥ. (1427 AH). Majma‘ al-Bayān fī Tafsīr al-Qur’ān. Beirut: Dār Iḥyā’ al-Turāth al-‘Arabī.
17. Ṭabāṭabā’ī, S. M. H. (1995). Al-Mīzān (Exegesis of the Qur’an). Translated by S. M. B. Mousavi Hamadani. Qom: Islamic Publications Office of the Seminary Teachers Society, 5th ed.
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Volume 4, Issue 1
September 2025Pages 6-27
- Receive Date: 23 December 2024
- Revise Date: 26 August 2025
- Accept Date: 01 September 2025