Published in 1943 (or soon after), this was Khomeini’s first major political work and his first book published for the public. Written at a relatively young age (around his mid-40s), it serves as a foundational text that outlines the grievances and political philosophy that would later fuel a revolution.
Khomeini strongly refutes the narrative that Islamic scholars ( Ulama ) invent superstitions to preserve personal power. He argues that the clergy serve as critical guardians preserving prophetic knowledge from foreign and internal corruption.
The chapters are:
In the chapters covering government and law, Khomeini presents a radical critique of secular governance. He explicitly notes that the only truly legitimate government is the government of God. He argues that human-made laws are inherently flawed, and a state can only avoid being oppressive if it aligns itself with divine jurisprudence. 3. Early Traces of Velayat-e Faqih
He condemned the secular reforms of Reza Shah, specifically the banning of the hijab and the adoption of Western-style laws, which he viewed as a betrayal of Islamic identity.
However, the true revolutionary significance of Kashf al-Asrar lies in its third, fourth, and fifth chapters. Here, Khomeini moves beyond theology to envision the structure of a just Islamic society. This is where the seeds of the 1979 revolution were planted.
He criticized the monarchical system of the Pahlavi shahs, arguing that any government not based on divine law is inherently unjust. C. Foundation of Velayat-e Faqih
For researchers, students, and the politically curious, finding a reliable copy of this text is crucial. The search for "" is popular because of the book's academic and historical weight.
Archive.org - Iranian Revolution & Shi'ite Faith : A critical review by Maulana Mohammad Manzoor Nomani that includes extensive analysis of the book's contents. :