Khomeini was the first and only Iranian cleric to be addressed as “Imam”, a title hitherto reserved in Iran for the twelve infallible leaders of the early Shi’a. He was also associated with the Mahdi or 12th Imam of Shia belief in a number of ways. One of his titles was Na’eb-e Imam (Deputy to the Twelfth Imam).
That the laws of society should be made up only of the laws of God (Sharia), which cover “all human affairs” and “provide instruction and establish norms” for every “topic” in “human life.”Since Shariah, or Islamic law, is the proper law, those holding government posts should have knowledge of Sharia.
Since Islamic jurists or faqih have studied and are the most knowledgeable in Sharia, the country’s ruler should be a faqih who “surpasses all others in knowledge” of Islamic law and justice, as well as having intelligence and administrative ability. Rule by monarchs and/or assemblies of “those claiming to be representatives of the majority of the people” (i.e. elected parliaments and legislatures) has been proclaimed “wrong” by Islam.
