The Place of Hadith in the Interpretative Views of Imām Khomeini

Although Imām Khomeini has not authored an independent book on exegesis and Qur’anic sciences¡ his works abound in deep Qur’anic and interpretative discussions. Moreover¡ he has interpreted some Suras such as al-Fatiheh¡ al-Ikhlas and Al-Qadr in separate works in his youth and also interpreted some verses of al-Fatiheh verbally in five sessions in the wake of the Islamic Revolution. One of the most important sources of non-narational exegesis¡ including mystical exegeses¡ in the history of the interpretation of the holy Quran is the traditions of the holy Prophet¡ peace be upon him and his household¡ and the Immaculate Imāms¡ peace be upon them. This article is an attempt to explain the various works of Imām Khomeini¡ especially interpretative and mystical works¡ and also his views on hadith and tradition of the Immaculate Imāms and the frequency of reference to hadith in the interpretative works and the method of using them and its principles. The article concludes that in the view of Imām Khomeini¡ to understand the pure divine and Qur’anic mysticism there is no other way than turning back to the hadith and tradition of the holy Prophet¡ peace be upon him and his household¡ and the Immaculate Imāms¡ peace be upon them.