A Study of Mystical Ethics in Viewpoint of Imam Khomeini

Mystical virtues are among the long-lasting areas of study for the Muslim thinkers. This approach comes from religious ethics, from the Holy Quran in particular, that specifically focuses on the relationship between God and man. In this study, we have reviewed three important pillars of soul, virtues, and salvation in addition to introducing various approaches toward Islamic ethics, especially theosophical ethics in view of Imam Khomeini. Following his predecessors, Imam Khomeini analyzes soul philosophically and finally comes up with a theosophical analysis of soul and its stages. This ethical approach rests on the pillar of virtues. In view of Imam Khomeini, purification of the soul and gaining virtues are mid-stage spiritual perfections, the attaining of which is an introduction to guidance toward spiritual path. Inspired by religious sources, Imam Khomeini accepts philosophical virtues in his presentation of religious virtues. It is through contemplation on religious virtues that theosophical virtues become meaningful. If the procedure of purification of soul takes place effectively through removing vices and attaining virtues, the result shall be human salvation. By Salvation, Imam Khomeini refers to monotheism that is the ultimate goal of human spiritual and theosophical journey.