The Islamic Revolution of Iran has been studied from various angles over the past 27 years.

This significant phenomenon of the late 20th century can best be studied through a historical–cultural approach which underlines the connection between tradition and modernity.

That is to say, one should know precisely what approaches have been adopted by the Islamic Revolution toward the greatest cultural questions Iran has faced over the past two centuries, i.e. the connection between tradition and modernity, and also the solutions it has proposed.

(1) Undoubtedly, the Islamic Revolution is neither an anti-traditional process nor determined to encounter all elements of modernity and modernism.

The Islamic Revolution is based on the noblest Islamic doctrines.

In addition, the Islamic Revolution is associated with some conceptions such as freedom, republicanism, justice, and even revolution. All these conceptions have been refined within the prism of modernity, and although they enjoy a long history, they are actually determined, both objectively and conceptually, within the atmosphere and epistemology of modernity and modernism.

Undoubtedly, the Islamic Revolution will not accept all elements of modernity and as Foucault says, it is determined to go beyond these elements. But this does not mean that the Islamic Revolution is an anti-modernist phenomenon.

The Islamic Revolution actually seeks to mix tradition and modernity, or religion and modernism, and its ultimate objective is to synthesize tradition and modernity.

(2) One can say that as a religious reformer, the theorist and architect of the Islamic Revolution, the late Imam Khomeini, offered a solution for the opposition between tradition and modernity in order to both save the Iranian nation’s past and honor and also to meet the needs of the modern world.

During the past two centuries during which we were confronted with the confrontation between tradition and modernity, there were those who believed that our problems were the result of our over-reliance on the past and our traditions.

Others believed that we should seriously encounter modernity and modernism.

However, the experiences of the Iranian nation proved that neither of these two approaches were fruitful. The most significant characteristic of Imam Khomeini’s thought is that it can both save tradition and meet needs.

This characteristic of Imam Khomeini’s theory is evident both in his religious attitude and also in the government he founded named the Islamic Republic.

Despite those solutions that suggested a total imitation of Western civilization or a complete return to Islamic principles as the only possible way to settle the opposition between tradition and modernity, Imam Khomeini presented a quite different theory.

He actually condemned both those who were totally enamored by Western capitalism and civilization and those who were reactionaries and traditionalist.

Imam Khomeini was a reformer whose revivalist spirit did not allow him to use modern methods. Therefore, Imam Khomeini tried to find a new kind of compatibility between Islam and modern phenomena and offer a proper answer for the significant question of the relationship between tradition and modernity.

(3) One of the most significant answers the Islamic Revolution offers for the relationship between tradition and modernity is manifested in the idea of “religious democracy”.

The Islamic Revolution actually occurred at a period in time in which most politicians were talking about the opposition between religion and democracy, and while all popular literature of the day were opposed to the role of religion in political affairs, a revolution occurred in Iran that synthesized religion and democracy.

However, the report card of the Islamic Revolution should be considered with regard to the ups and downs which the Islamic Revolution has faced over the years.

However, one can not neglect this significant cause of the Islamic Revolution, i.e., to synthesize democracy and religion.

This cause is particularly manifested in the Iranian Constitution.

Yet, one of the most significant elements that will help the Islamic Revolution become more dynamic is a social, intellectual, and spiritual approach to this concept.

That is to say, the future of the Islamic Revolution is totally dependent on the correct understanding and application of this concept.