Imam Khomeini, "Islamic Government: Guardianship of the Jurist": "Present Islam to the people in its true form, so that our youth do not picture the ākhūnds as sitting in some corner in Najaf or Qum, studying the questions of menstruation and parturition instead of concerning themselves with politics, and draw the conclusion that religion must be separate from politics. This slogan of the separation of religion from politics and the demand that Islamic scholars should not intervene in social and political affairs have been formulated and propagated by the imperialists; it is only the irreligious who repeat them. Were religion and politics separate in the time of the Prophet? Did there exist, on one side, a group of clerics, and opposite it, a group of politicians and leaders? Were religion and politics separate in the time of the caliphs even if they were not legitimate or in the time of the Commander of the Faithful? Did two separate authorities exist? These slogans and claims have been advanced by the imperialists and their political agents in order to prevent religion from ordering the affairs of this world and shaping Muslim society, and at the same time to create a rift between the scholars of Islam, on the one hand, and the masses and those struggling for freedom and independence, on the other. They will thus been able to gain dominance over our people and plunder our resources, for such has always been their ultimate goal.If we Muslims do nothing but engage in the canonical prayer, petition God, and invoke his name, the imperialists and the oppressive governments allied with them will leave us alone. If we were to say “Let us concentrate on calling the azān and saying our prayers. Let them come and rob us of everything we own God will take care of them! There is no power or recourse except in Him, and God willing, we will be rewarded in the hereafter!” if this were our logic, they would not disturb us".
Islamic Revolution of Iran in a Snapshot
