What Does Ayatollah Khomeini Want? Unpacking The Founder's Vision For Iran

Dr. Dagmar Wehner Jr.

30 Jul, 2025

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Many people, you know, often wonder about the core beliefs and the driving forces behind historical figures who shaped nations. When we think about Iran, one name comes to mind for many, and that is Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He was the person, the figure, who really set the course for the Islamic Republic, and so, understandably, folks want to get a better sense of his ideas and what he aimed to achieve. His impact, really, is still felt today, making his original goals something worth exploring, don't you think?

It's a question that, quite frankly, gets asked a lot, especially when we consider the ongoing events in the region. The founder of the current Iranian system, Ayatollah Khomeini, brought about some pretty big changes. He wasn't just a political figure; he was also a religious scholar who saw things in a new light, and that, is that, truly influenced how he wanted things to go for his country and beyond. So, we're going to try and look closely at what the available information tells us about his desires and his plans.

Understanding what Khomeini wanted helps us grasp the origins of many current policies and the foundational ideas of the Iranian state. He set a certain tone, a certain direction, for the country. His vision, his desires, they are still very much a part of the conversation, influencing leaders who came after him, like Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. So, getting a handle on Khomeini's original thoughts is, in a way, quite important for understanding the bigger picture.

Biography and Early Life
Khomeini's Central Aim: The Revolution
A New Direction for Shia Islam
Global Ambitions: Withering Corrupt Roots
Challenging Foreign Domination
Adapting Religious Law for Public Interest
Legacy and Public Perception
Frequently Asked Questions

Biography and Early Life

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was, for many, the very person who got the Iranian Revolution going. He was the driving force, you know, the one who shaped its core ideas. He had a central part in all of that, and he rejected the monarchy, the Pahlavi monarchy led by Mohammad Reza Shah. That's a big part of his story, for sure. He really believed in changing things from the ground up, and his teachings laid the groundwork for a whole new way of running the country. He was, quite frankly, a figure of immense influence, both religiously and politically.

Personal Details and Bio Data of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

Detail	Information
Name	Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini
Role	Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, First Supreme Leader
Key Contribution	Led the 1979 Iranian Revolution, bringing about a major paradigm shift in Shia Islam
Core Beliefs (as per text)	Rejection of Pahlavi monarchy, desire to cause "corrupt roots of Zionism, capitalism and communism to wither," belief that America's domination brought dictatorships
Approach to Fiqh	Tried to compensate shortcomings by servicing public interest
Legacy	Revered by loyalists as father of the Islamic Republic; vilified by critics for political repression and mandatory veiling

Khomeini's Central Aim: The Revolution

At the very heart of what Ayatollah Khomeini wanted was, arguably, a complete overhaul of the existing system in Iran. He was the person recognized as the driving force behind the revolution, you know, the one who truly shaped its main ideas. His goal was to reject the Pahlavi monarchy, which was led by Mohammad Reza Shah. This wasn't just about changing who was in charge; it was about changing the entire way the country was run, from its government to its social fabric. He envisioned a new kind of state, one built on Islamic principles, and that, in some respects, was his primary aim.

He worked to establish what became the Islamic Republic, a system that, for him, represented a true break from the past. The text mentions he remains revered by loyalists as the father of this republic. So, a key desire was to create this new political entity, one where religious law played a central role in governance. This was a really big shift, and it required, you know, a lot of effort to bring about such a fundamental change in how things operated. He believed this new structure would better serve the people and the principles he held dear.

The revolution itself was, in a way, the vehicle for his broader desires. It wasn't just a political uprising; it was a cultural and religious one, too. He wanted to replace what he saw as a corrupt and stifling monarchy with a system that, he felt, was more just and aligned with divine will. This involved, apparently, a complete restructuring of society, from the top leadership down to everyday life, and that's a pretty significant undertaking for anyone to try and achieve.

A New Direction for Shia Islam

One of the truly remarkable things about Ayatollah Khomeini's vision was how he aimed to change Shia Islam itself. The text says he brought about a major paradigm shift in Shia Islam. This wasn't just about applying existing religious rules; it was about reinterpreting them, giving them a new kind of political relevance. Traditionally, many Shia clerics stayed out of direct governance, waiting for the return of the hidden Imam. But Khomeini, well, he introduced the concept of Velayat-e Faqih, or the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist.

This idea meant that a qualified religious scholar, a jurist, could and should lead the state in the absence of the Imam. This was, frankly, a very bold move, a significant departure from previous ways of thinking within Shia Islam. It gave religious leaders a direct role in politics, a role they hadn't typically held in such a direct and comprehensive manner before. So, his desire was not just to rule, but to establish a new model of governance that, he believed, was truly Islamic, and that's a pretty big idea.

He wanted, in essence, to make religious principles the guiding force for an entire nation, and that meant, you know, changing how people understood the role of faith in public life. This shift was, in some respects, about empowering the religious establishment to lead society towards what he saw as a more righteous path. It was a transformation of religious thought that had, quite literally, massive political consequences, and that's something to think about.

Global Ambitions: Withering Corrupt Roots

Ayatollah Khomeini's desires weren't confined to Iran's borders, you know. He had a much broader vision, a global one, in fact. The text directly quotes him, saying, "we wish to cause the corrupt roots of zionism, capitalism and communism to wither throughout the." This is a very strong statement, showing a deep-seated desire to challenge what he saw as fundamental problems in the world. He wasn't just aiming for regional change; he was thinking about a worldwide transformation, or so it seems.

His aim to see Zionism, capitalism, and communism diminish everywhere suggests a comprehensive worldview, one that identified these ideologies as inherently harmful or corrupt. For him, these were not just political systems but moral and spiritual issues that needed addressing on a grand scale. This indicates a desire for a global order based on his interpretation of Islamic justice, something that, quite honestly, is a very ambitious goal for any leader to have.

So, his vision went beyond just establishing an Islamic Republic in Iran; it extended to influencing the entire global landscape. He wanted to see these "corrupt roots" removed, which implies a desire for a world where different values and systems would prevail. This global ambition is, in a way, a defining characteristic of his ideology, and it really shows the scope of what he was trying to achieve.

Challenging Foreign Domination

A significant part of what Ayatollah Khomeini wanted was to end foreign, particularly American, domination over the Muslim world. The text notes that it "perhaps even echoes what ayatollah khomeini thought,He believed that america’s domination over the muslim world had brought about dictatorships and stifled the people." This suggests a strong anti-imperialist stance, a desire for self-determination for Muslim nations. He saw external influence as a source of oppression and a barrier to true freedom and justice for people in the region.

He believed that America's presence and influence had, in some respects, led to the rise of oppressive regimes and had prevented people from truly expressing themselves or having a say in their own governance. So, a key desire was to remove this foreign hand, to allow Muslim societies to develop independently, free from what he perceived as external meddling. This was, in fact, a powerful motivator for the revolution itself, and it continues to resonate with many who feel similar sentiments today.

His aim was, essentially, to empower the Muslim world to stand on its own feet, free from outside control. This meant challenging the existing global power structures and advocating for a different kind of international order. It was a call for sovereignty and dignity, a desire to see nations, you know, govern themselves without undue pressure from powerful foreign entities. This aspect of his vision is, arguably, a cornerstone of Iran's foreign policy even now.

Adapting Religious Law for Public Interest

Interestingly, Ayatollah Khomeini also showed a pragmatic side in his desires, especially concerning religious law. The text mentions, "Ayatollah khomeini tried to compensate the shortcomings of fiqh by servicing the public interest." Fiqh refers to Islamic jurisprudence, the body of Islamic law. This indicates that he wasn't rigidly bound by every single traditional interpretation if it didn't serve the greater good of the people. He wanted, it seems, the law to be adaptable, to truly work for the benefit of society.

This desire to adapt religious law for the public interest suggests a flexibility in his thinking, a willingness to ensure that the principles of Islam could be applied in a way that addressed contemporary needs and challenges. It wasn't just about strict adherence; it was about making sure the law served its purpose effectively for the community. This shows a leader who, in a way, was thinking about the practical application of his ideals in a functioning state.

The idea that he tried to "compensate the shortcomings" of fiqh is, quite literally, a significant point. It means he recognized that traditional interpretations might not always be sufficient for modern governance and that adjustments were needed to ensure the well-being of the populace. This willingness to modify or reinterpret, for the sake of the people, is a pretty important part of understanding his overall vision for an Islamic state.

Legacy and Public Perception

Ayatollah Khomeini's legacy is, you know, seen in very different ways by different groups. On one hand, he "remains revered by loyalists as the father of the islamic republic." For them, he is the visionary who liberated Iran from foreign influence and established a system based on religious principles, something they deeply value. They see him as a hero, a figure who brought dignity and independence to their nation, and that's a powerful sentiment.

On the other hand, he is "vilified by critics for sanctioning political repression and mandatory veiling." These critics point to the restrictions on freedoms and the enforcement of social norms, like mandatory veiling, as negative aspects of his rule. They see the repression as a betrayal of the revolution's initial promises of freedom and justice. So, his desires, while aiming for a certain kind of order, also led to outcomes that many found deeply problematic, and that's a very real part of his story.

His influence, even now, is undeniable. The current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is, in a way, a successor to Khomeini's vision, trying to uphold the system he created. The challenges Khamenei faces today, like the war with Israel and internal threats, are, in some respects, dealt with through the lens of the system Khomeini put in place. So, Khomeini's desires continue to shape Iran's path, long after his time, and that's a significant thought.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Ayatollah Khomeini's main goal for Iran?

Ayatollah Khomeini's main goal for Iran was, you know, to overthrow the Pahlavi monarchy and establish an Islamic Republic. He wanted to create a new system of governance based on Islamic principles, replacing what he saw as a corrupt and externally influenced regime. This was, in essence, about bringing about a fundamental change in the country's political and social structure.

Did Ayatollah Khomeini want to change Shia Islam?

Yes, Ayatollah Khomeini certainly wanted to change Shia Islam in a significant way. He brought about what the text calls a "major paradigm shift" in Shia Islam. This involved introducing the idea that a religious jurist should lead the state, a concept that was, in some respects, a departure from traditional Shia political thought. He aimed to make religious principles directly relevant to state governance, which was a very big idea.

What were Ayatollah Khomeini's global ambitions?

Ayatollah Khomeini had, quite frankly, very clear global ambitions. He stated a desire to "cause the corrupt roots of zionism, capitalism and communism to wither throughout the." This shows his aim to challenge what he saw as harmful global ideologies and to promote a world order based on his interpretation of Islamic justice. He also wanted to end foreign domination, especially from America, over the Muslim world, which was, in a way, a very powerful motivator for him.

Learn more about Iranian history on our site, and link to this page for current events related to Iran's leadership.