Ways of Confronting the Arrogant Powers from the Perspective of Ayatollah Khamenei, Based on the Conduct of Imams al-Baqir and al-Sadiq

Mohamadzadehmazinan, Ebrahim; Ghafoori, Mohammad

doi:10.22034/irsj.2025.531498.1149

Ways of Confronting the Arrogant Powers from the Perspective of Ayatollah Khamenei, Based on the Conduct of Imams al-Baqir and al-Sadiq

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

ebrahim Mohamadzadehmazinan ¹

Mohammad Ghafoori ²

¹ Associate Researcher, Imam Reza International Research Institute, Al-Mustafa University of Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran

² Director of the Ahl al-Bayt Studies Group, Imam Reza International Research Institute, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22034/irsj.2025.531498.1149

Abstract

Understanding the intellectual foundations and theoretical orientations of political and social theorists contributes to accurate analysis of events and sound comprehension of prevailing conditions. One such phenomenon is the contemporary actions of the system of domination (nezam-e solṭeh), the manner of confronting which requires knowledge of appropriate methods. The prolonged struggle of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) against systems of domination, and their presentation of contextually appropriate and diverse methods under specific circumstances, constitute a practical model for such resistance—one that requires precise understanding of its underlying subtleties. Ayatollah Khamenei’s mastery of the lessons and intricacies of the conduct (sirah) of the Infallibles—particularly the history and conduct of Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) and Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him)—and his utilization thereof, indicate reliance upon fundamental principles and orientations that warrant analytical examination. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study is to examine methods of combating domination from Ayatollah Khamenei’s perspective, with particular attention to the manner in which he references and draws upon the conduct of Imam al-Baqir and Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon them), given that during their era specific political struggles against systems of domination took place. By presenting Ayatollah Khamenei’s statements alongside the conduct of the Ahl al-Bayt through a descriptive approach, the study undertakes a discourse analysis of his perspective on confronting the system of domination. The data indicate that Ayatollah Khamenei’s references to the conduct of Imam al-Baqir and Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon them) play a significant role in articulating methods for combating cultural, political, and economic domination. Recourse to the conduct of the Ahl al-Bayt reveals the core elements of his intellectual worldview, orientation, and strategic outlook. This worldview reflects the foundational Islamic principles underpinning the political system, including opposition to arrogance (istikbar) and resistance to domination.

Keywords

Sirah

Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him)

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him)

Ayatollah Khamenei

System of domination

Subjects