Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

Ethical Values Centered on Imam Khomeini’s Mysticism and Their Reflection in Social Posters of the 1980s

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Leila Khodabakhshi 1
Maryam Bakhtyar 2
1 PhD Student, Department of Islamic Mysticism and Imam Khomeini Thought, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Mysticism, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22034/ias.2021.307411.1744
Abstract
The innate human need for true spirituality and lasting tranquility is an evident reality that has manifested in the form of inclination toward mystical and meaning-seeking schools, movements, and circles in the modern world. This is a testament to theism, the pursuit of peace, truth-seeking, perfection, and a return to the self. It is a sincere need that the secular-liberal power system has sought to satisfy falsely, giving rise to modern spiritualities, pseudo-mysticism, and sects that aim to dull the motives, thoughts, ethics, and actions of the modern human in the new world. Consequently, a comprehensive attack-culturally akin to a soft war-has been launched against revealed monotheistic religions, especially the pure Muhammadan Islam and its comprehensive mysticism. This paper focuses on spirituality centered on Islamic mysticism and explicates the true mysticism and characteristics of Imam Khomeini to ensure that the straight path of human nature and the way to liberation from the deviations and satanic delusions of modernity are not lost, and that increasing religious spirituality remains on the road leading to truth and perfection. Imam Khomeini, by harnessing this spiritual power from the beginning of the revolution until the victory and establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, placed the power and capability of spirituality at the service of organizing human life in the eyes of the world. He made it clear to all that power does not lie in the vast capital of the West nor in the massive weapons of the East, but in faith in God and spirituality. Following this thought, the mystical approach was also reflected in the cultural and artistic spheres, particularly in poster art.
Research Objectives:

To examine ethical values centered on Imam Khomeini’s mysticism.
To analyze social posters of the 1980s based on Imam Khomeini’s ethical values.

Research Questions:

What are the ethical values centered on Imam Khomeini’s mysticism?
How do social posters of the 1980s reflect Imam Khomeini’s ethical values?

 
Keywords
Imam Khomeini
cultural invasion
spirituality
mystical revival movements
social posters
Holy Quran
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