Examination of the Role of Imam Khomeini's Book Vilāyat-i Faqīh (Guardianship of the Jurist) in the Iranian Islamic Revolution in Terms of James Paul Gee's Discourse Analysis Theory

Abstract

The present study aims to examine the role of Imam Khomeini’s book Vilāyat-i Faqīh (Guardianship of the Jurist) in the realization of the Islamic Revolution according to James Paul Gee’s discourse analysis theory. The research method employed is discourse analysis, utilizing Gee’s theory. The findings indicate that, in light of the seven components of Gee’s theory, Imam Khomeini highlights elements in his book such as misunderstandings about Islam, the regime’s lack of Islamic character, the clergy’s dependence on the regime, non-Islamic laws, superfluous and non-Islamic institutions, the establishment of an Islamic government, the existence and necessity of a valī faqīh (jurist guardian) as the leader of society, the need for the rule of law and divine Sharia, the requirement for Islamic social and political institutions, the current undesirable political situation, and the emphasis on desirable governance. In other words, he first criticizes the current political condition and then introduces the people to an ideal political model and an alternative political system. The discourse analysis of Vilāyat-i Faqīh reveals that the author’s strategy and tools to escape the Pahlavi regime and establish the desired Islamic government involved the occurrence of the Islamic Revolution. Furthermore, the victory of the Islamic Revolution opened a new horizon and path toward the realization of Islamic civilization. Considering the guidance of Ayatollah Khamenei and Imam Khomeini’s strategy, it can be argued that Vilāyat-i Faqīh had a significant impact on the occurrence of the Islamic Revolution. Additionally, in light of the above discussions, Vilāyat-i Faqīh, as a proposal for an alternative political system by Imam Khomeini, contained all the necessary components for the formation of a political government, and it put to rest the hypothesis of the absence of political thought in Khomeini’s discourse.

Keywords

• discourse analysis
• the book vilāyat-i faqīh
• james paul gee
• imam khomeini
• the islamic revolution of iran
• islamic government
• political system