Imam Khomeini’s Leadership, a Rejection of the Theory of Charismatic Leadership

Many local and foreign theorists and authorities have tried to present a theoretical elaboration of the nature of Imam Khomeini’s leadership and its profound impact. Therefore, the basic question of this research foresees this fact ‘What kind of interactions has existed between Imam Khomeini’s personality and leadership method and the observation of human dignity?’ Was this method of leadership and its immense influence on the basis of the rejected model of charismatic leadership and can it be interpreted on this basis? The findings of this research, based on the analytical-documental method indicate the complete interaction of Imam Khomeini’s character and leadership method, with the theme of human dignity and specifies that the Imam-as the highest symbol of human dignity and particularly a perfect human being and in the position of an educated, pure and dynamic religious authority in the lap of the high Islamic and Shiite teachings during his life and periods of leadership-had a special and inexpressible attention to the subject of human dignities and basically one of the reasons for the immense influence of his leadership are attributed precisely to this fact. Attempts have also been made concerning the incompatible aspects of the charismatic leadership with human dignities and demonstrating the lack of conjunction of this model with the Imam’s leadership style, as another document to be presented in support of quest for dignity and dignity-centered attitudes of his character and leadership. Indeed, the Imam was the symbol of dignity and the perfect divine human being and for this reason, he left his profound impact on the peoples’ opinion and the majority of Muslims, the impact that has not become routine and afflicted with any defect.

Keywords:

Imam Khomeini , Leadership , Islamic Revolution , Theory of Charismatic Leadership , legitimacy , dignity