By Ahmad Shuaibu Isa
With courage in heart and spirit bold,
Khomeini’s legacy forever told,
Justice and freedom, his story to hold.
In a world of rising towers and crumbling souls, an era marked by the juxtaposition of towering edifices and shattered spirits of parliaments packed yet people poor, one voice rang out—not from gold-lined halls, but from the pulpit of conscience, from the heart of resistance. His name? Ruhullah Musawi—a man of robes, reason, and rebellion. He did not come to rule, but to remind; to awaken hearts dulled by despotism, to revive a faith trampled by thrones, to lift a people who had forgotten how to say “No” to injustice.
He asked the questions few dared to ask: Must kings forever rule over men? Must oil flow while blood is spilled? Must faith be chained in mosques while tyrants dance on pulpits? He answered with action. He brought down a palace not with bullets but with belief. He built a republic not from force but from books, conviction, and the broken-hearted.
He taught that governance must be moral, not monarchic; that laws must speak for the orphan, not the oligarch; that true leaders are not crowned—they are called by the cries of the oppressed. Imam Khomeini stood firm on issues affecting the oppressed, notably the plight of the Palestinian people, exemplifying his unwavering commitment to justice and liberation.
Is this message alien to those residing in cities such as Zaria, Abuja, Lagos, Dakar, Banjul, Accra, Caracas, or Lahore? Or does it resonate with the anguish of our streets and the ache for sustenance in our homes? Al-Khomeini discerned the dichotomies we still navigate: wealth towering above whilst destitution festers below; gilded towers adjacent to dust-riddled townships.
He dared to question the harrowing injustices: Why should children starve in a land that is fertile enough to nourish the world? How can nations plead with empty vessels whilst their earth flows with abundance? Imam Khomeini envisioned a just society where faith and commerce converge, empowering the poor and promoting equitable wealth distribution. He saw zakat and khums as instruments of justice, not mere rituals.
His leadership was rooted in service, moral clarity, and resistance to tyranny. He advocated for genuine faith to transform societies, uplift the marginalized, and challenge oppressive systems. His legacy reminds us to stand for truth, drawing lessons from Karbala. His vision resonated with both Islamic liberation theories and post-colonial resistance principles.
Echoing Gramsci’s ideology, he advocated for transformative change emerging from grassroots consciousness—fostering education, spiritual rejuvenation, and moral bravery. He epitomised Weber’s notion of charismatic authority, illustrating that true legitimacy resides in purpose rather than mere power.
Imam Khomeini (Q.S) imparted the profound insight that true freedom encompasses the liberation of not only physical chains but also the shackles of mental colonisation.
Imam Khomeini’s leadership was a resounding spiritual and ethical renaissance, reclaiming the dignity of an oppressed populace. The Iranian Revolution symbolized a backlash against foreign ideologies, corrupt monarchs, and global powers. It served as a clarion call to the Global South, resonating across deserts, urban landscapes, and valleys.
Khomeini’s vision was rooted in genuine transformation through conscientious self-awareness, not arms. He illuminated the world to the fact that sincere faith is an indomitable force against oppression. Zakat and khums became pivotal economic instruments for fostering justice, and resistance was a lucid articulation of collective refusal to countenance injustice.
His legacy is relevant today, particularly in Africa, where many countries are striving for economic and cultural liberation. The youth are questioning established alliances, and communities are rallying to reject dependency. Faith resurfacing as a vital source of meaning and ethical fortitude.
Khomeini’s teachings remind us that true freedom requires not just political independence but also moral and cultural reclamation. Africa stands at a crossroads, and his message urges Africans to reaffirm their values and cultural heritage. His legacy inspires Africans to rise with purpose and integrity, forging a future where all can live with dignity.
The question thus emerges: Is such a renaissance feasible for Africa in contemporary discourse? If indeed it is deemed possible, what pathways lie ahead? Conversely, if skepticism reigns, what insights underpin this hesitance? The floor is open for contemplative dialogue.
Ahmad Shuaibu Isa [email protected]