Rough Draft Narrative

Chris Dunfield

Knapp

English 1A

24 February 2013

Shi'i Ulama and the Revolution in Iran

      The revolution that took place in the 19^th century in Iran was both long and strenuous, and can be attributed to a plethora of causes. The Shi'i Ulama, or religious leaders, are powerful people, clerics and shahs, who are authorities on the Shi'i doctrine and its interpretations. Some of these influential leaders are a partial cause of the Islamic revolution of 1979.

In the 19^th Century, the Shi'iulama are said to have played a large part in defending native peoples against tyrannical oppression by the Qajar. The interpreted doctrines require leaders and believers alike to “strive to end injustice and limit tyranny.”(American Historical Review, p. 1481, ALGAR) Thus it was that these principles creates a natural flow of movement from those under its' faith to revolution. Khomeini, an important religious leader, is said to have started a movement which caused a massive readjustment to the 'traditional understanding'. After this reformation of sorts, it was understood there was no instance of Shi'i ulama taking over political power to control the government themselves. Furthermore, the Shi'i system had constitutional guarantees and checks on government. Although it is clear that the most of the Shi'i ulama faith tried to end tyranny naturally through their religious fundamentals, some doctrines did hold opposing beliefs, “The Shi'i doctrine can be mined to justify and encourage active opposition to the state as readily as to justify political quiescence in the face of oppression.” (SHAUL BAKHASH)