The Iranian Revolution

Then there came about in this country with its poor people a revolution in the name of Islam. People of all religious persuasions—Sunni as well as Shia—took part in it in the spirit of Islam. Whatever mutual hostility had up to then existed between the two groups became like ashes strewn about by the wind. People came together like brothers. Affinity came to exist where there was once only resentment and repulsion and hatred was replaced with love. People looked at one another in a new light. Brother was hugging brother and the air of Iran was incessantly reverberating with the call “Neither Shi’ism nor Sunnism. Only Islam.” There was this heartfelt hope that now the glory, power and unity of Muslims in the whole Muslim world would be restored. Even the leaders of the Revolution were to a large extent touched by that enthusiasm and those sentiments. Khomeini himself used to say: “Neither Shi’ism nor Sunnism. Only Islam.”

Yes, the Revolution took place. During those days, the Muslims were experiencing some of their best times hoping for a radiant future in which the dark night has been left behind forever. Sadly, though, that was to last for only a few short days of which nothing new remains except memories in our minds; memories which by right are the best memories a Muslim can have; memories which stir up sadness and are filled at the same time with admonition.

Yes, as soon as they secured the seat of power for themselves, things started changing. All hopes were cast to the winds. Things that could never be expected of them now came to the fore. Faces changed, hearts became estranged, and the dark night returned. The condition of the Ahlus Sunnah became worse than before and the clampdown of repression, murder and hatred grew worse and much more bitter than before. New ways and means of deception and deviation were invented that were much worse and less dignified than before. By Allah, we have no doubt that these oppressors are treading exactly the same path as their ancestors, the Safavids and other tyrants, even though they may lay claim to Islam (and what an easy thing it is to claim); or that they are Alawid—and not Safavid—Shia; or that they are the deputies of the Ummah on the principle of Wilayat al Faqih, in contradiction of the text of the Qur’an, the Sunnah and consensus.

Yes; the Revolution came in the name of Islam, as a result of which many Sunnis were misled. Consequently, they went out of their way to support it. The opinion-makers and thinkers amongst the ‘Ulama’ of the Ahlus Sunnah, the youth and the general masses worked side by side with them in the same spirit of diligence, devotion, enthusiasm, goodwill and solidarity. But the oppressive government replied after a short while by imprisoning these innocent ‘Ulama’, by driving them into exile and by killing them. Some of them, like Ustadh Bahman Shakuri and some of the youths of Kurdistan, Baluchistan and Turkmen-Sahra were executed. Others, like Sheikh Muhammad ‘Ali Khalidi of Bandar Lengeh, were driven into exile, while many were imprisoned, amongst whom were Ustadh Ahmed Muftizadah, his students and a large number of youths with him. The prisons are still open for the people of Haqq and Tawhid. Of this we will speak in detail in its proper place.

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