A Study of Political and Social Backgroundsof the Formation of "Religious State"in the Political Idea of Imam Khomeini

The purpose of the present study is to review political and social backgrounds behind the formation of "religious state" in the political philosophy of Imam Khomeini. In this regard, the books of Kashf al-Asrār (1941) and Wilāyt-e Faqih (1961) written by Imam Khomeini were studied using a historic-analytic method. The results show that in both books under study, the legitimacy of the religious state has been formed based on Wilāyat-e Faqh. Imam Khomeini in Kashf al-Asrār, relying on the principle of necessity of continuation of the political guardianship of the Prophet (PBUH), follows the identity of religious state through the parliament of founders, whereas in Wilāyt-e Faqih, he explains the principle of Wilāyat-e Faqih and formation of religious state based on leadership of a just and jurist who meets all the expectations. In other words, the political philosophy of Imam Khomeini has changed during two decades from a "constitutional" path to a "revolutionary" approach.