It is in many ways remarkable that four decades after the triumph of the Islamic revolution that he led no serious, comprehensive biography of Imam Ruhollah al-Musavi al-Khomeini has yet been writte.
He was, after all, the pre-eminent figure of recent Islamic history, for his impact, considerable enough in Iran itself, has also reverberated throughout much of the Muslim world and helped to transform the worldview and consciousness of many Muslims.
Indeed, it may be precisely this magnitude of the Imam‟s achievement, together with the complexity of his spiritual, intellectual, and political personality, which has so far discouraged potential biographers.
The materials available for the task are, however, as abundant as his accomplishments were varied, and the present writer hopes to take up the challenge in the near future.
What follows is therefore nothing more than a preliminary sketch, intended to acquaint the reader with the outlines of the Imam‟s life and the main aspects of his person as an Islamic leader of exceptional stature.