Although he mainly campaigned for Islamic purity in his own
country, Khomeini included his political and religious beliefs in
a broad worldview. He taught that Muslim theologians bore
responsibility for opposing all corrupt governments.
His tapes were played in mosques by religious leaders who
agreed with him. Government agents cracked down on the
subversive campaign. Mullahs thought to be enemies of the shah
were placed under surveillance. Sometimes they were beaten or
imprisoned. One was tortured to death. Meanwhile, the govern-
ment took over some of Iran’s mosques and Islamic schools,
appointing clerics who did not oppose the shah.
Rather than force Khomeini’s followers to cower, these severe
actions brought the distant ayatollah new admirers. Notable
among the mullahs who helped spread Khomeini’s message
throughout Iran were Muhammad Beheshti, Ali Khamenei, and
Morteza Motahari. These men would help form the new Islamic
government after the revolution.
During this period, one of the ayatollah’s students taped
and transcribed a series of his teacher’s speeches. Published as
a book, they would become perhaps Khomeini’s most famous
volume,The Governance of the Jurist: Islamic Government
(Velayet-e Faqih: Hukumat-e Eslami). It naturally was outlawed
by the Iranian government, but revolutionaries smuggled
countless copies into the country. Many university students
committed to memory—and to heart—statements made by
Khomeini. They had found their voice, and they were ripe
for revolution.42 AYATOLLAH RUHOLLAH KHOMEINI
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