Imam Khomeini took literary criticism to new lengths

Pundits and researchers maintain that in addition to being a religious authority of high-caliber, Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic, was also an outstanding poet and literary figure of Persian language.  

Imam Khomeini was popular in this respect from the very beginning and was known for the soundness of his speech and writings.  

As a creative author, some of his theological and mystical works are well-known across various parts of the world.

 Imam Khomeini has left an enriched academic legacy as the topics he covered include commentaries on the Qur'an and the Hadith, works on Islamic law, plus multiple tomes on philosophy, Gnosticism, poetry, literature and politics. 

 His poetry was exclusively a means for the manifestation of his mystical and numinous thoughts while praying to God and reflecting on the mysteries of the creation.

Imam wrote some surprising poems which contain treasures of mysticism and deep insightfulness. 

Imam Khomeini’s collection of poetry has been translated into various languages including Arabic, English and Urdu over the past few years.

For an instance, Imam said in one of his poems, which contain deep mystical concepts, as following:

Spring at Old Age

Spring has come. I shall begin youth after old age.

I will sit beside the Friend, and have the fruit of my life.

I shall return to the rose garden. I shall mingle with the flowers and the buds.

At the side of the garden I shall caress the moon-faced sweetheart.

I shall cast behind me autumn and its yellowness one day,

For in the garden I shall get news of the rosy-cheeked dear.

My feathers and wings molt in January with agony over the sweetheart.

In April with memory of union with the darling,

I'll get wings and feathers once again.

In the time of autumn I would perch in this ruined land,

If Spring has come, it is because I am ready to take off

for the sake of union with her.

If the wine-bearer spills some wine of the goblet onto the lovers,

If she spills it out of drunkenness, I shall pull the veil from her face.

Ordibehesht 1366 AHS
[April-May 1987]