Imam Khomeini and Trio Approaches to Issues Surrounding Death

Abstract

Death anxiety has been one of the most important concerns of human being since recorded history. This is a significant issue since the majority of thinkers have talked or written about it anytime anywhere. Since any approach toward death is affected by any individual’s worldview, three approaches may be distinctively argued on death and issues surrounding it: philosophical, ethical and mystical.In view of Imam Khomeini, the three approaches are intertwined. This paper intends to adopt a descriptive-analytical study on Imam Khomeini’s works in order to find and analyze his opinions about each approach individually. In philosophical approach, he follows Mulla Sadra’s line of thought about the issue of death, i.e. death is interpreted as the existential development of soul and its perfection. On this basis, Avicenna’s attitude toward death, its clarification and causes of death are criticized. His ethical approach toward death results in some consequences such as lack of death anxiety, readiness to embrace death, and adopting a non-absolutist attitude toward the material world. Death as a choice and mystical annihilation are two most important arguments in relation with death that have been covered in Imam Khomeini’s mystical approach. In this approach, he describes death as a means of “piercing the veil” that is interpreted in different ways depending upon the spiritual standing of individuals. In sum, although Imam Khomeini’s general approach toward death is in the same line with Mulla Sadra’s approach, his independent opinion and multidimensional personality have enabled Imam Khomeini to look at the truth of death from a higher position and meticulously analyze issues surrounding death.

Keywords

• ethics
• spiritual perfection
• transcendental wisdom
• mysticism
• annihilation
• death