Abstract
This study aims to examine the position of tolerance and patience in Iranian society after the Islamic Revolution, specifically focusing on the views of Imam Khomeini (RA) and the Supreme Leader. The research question is: What are the main elements of an ideal Islamic society based on tolerance and patience according to the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran? The hypothesis of the research is: In the views of Imam Khomeini (RA), tolerance and patience negate violence and coercive behaviors, while in the views of Ayatollah Khamenei, tolerance and patience are not absolute matters but rather relative concepts that require a framework within Islamic society. The results indicate that tolerance and patience in Islamic thought are based on a type of ethical and political approach that necessitates a framework to safeguard the public morality of society and prevent the disregard of Sharia rulings. Therefore, contrary to what is proposed in a secular approach, tolerance and patience are not indifferent to the fate of public morality in society or the promotion of any idea, even the negation of Sharia rulings. These two concepts, like any other principles in political and social arenas, require consideration of public ethics and the responsibility of the Islamic government to support the expression of the opinions and views of the people, while also ensuring that citizens’ activities do not lead to insults, repression, belittlement, or negation of the principles of Sharia and ethics in Islamic society. This article employs descriptive and analytical methods and utilizes library resources, with the theoretical framework being the model of Islamic moral and political tolerance.
 
Introduction
The realm of politics and society has always been, and will continue to be, a place of conflict, contestation, diverse opinions, and new perspectives. However, political systems, each in their own way—either through coercive methods or peaceful means and by creating a calm and non-violent political environment—strive to manage these issues. The importance of managing conflicts, viewpoints, and opinions is so significant that political systems are classified into democratic, non-democratic, authoritarian, or populist categories based on the presence and degree of tolerance and forbearance. Accordingly, modern political systems, mostly grounded in law, have recognized the importance and role of tolerance and forbearance in governance. Most democratic systems endeavor to establish a public sphere free of coercion and violence, based on law and equality, so that citizens can express their views both in social relations and in interactions with the government, and witness their effects in personal and social life. Achieving a society based on tolerance and forbearance, however, is not easy; ideally, the system of tolerance and forbearance has always faced challenges arising from violent interactions by citizens or the government’s neglect of citizens’ right to express their opinions.
Given the significance of tolerance and forbearance in governance, the Islamic Republic of Iran—emerging from the discourse of the Islamic Revolution of 1979—although not explicitly naming these principles, contains numerous references, related terms, and laws supporting the principles of tolerance and forbearance in different parts of its constitution, as well as in the traditions of Imam Khomeini (may God sanctify his soul) and the Supreme Leader. Clear manifestations of support for these principles include Articles 24 to 27 and Article 56 of the Constitution, among others related to the sovereignty of the nation. Thus, tolerance and forbearance essentially imply acknowledging the role and position of the people, respecting their opinions, and providing a suitable platform for expressing their views free from violence, paternalistic behavior, or narrow-mindedness. Therefore, the importance of forbearance and tolerance is frequently emphasized in the intellectual tradition of Imam Khomeini, the Supreme Leader, and various laws. Since tolerance and forbearance are often considered Western-derived governance concepts, it is particularly important to distinguish and clarify their Islamic approach within managing an Islamic society. In Islamic thought, tolerance and forbearance hold a special status both as social values and as matters grounded in the sacred divine law (Sharia), inseparable from social and political spheres, with practical and tangible expressions similar to other religious concepts and rulings. Hence, this study seeks to discuss the place of tolerance and forbearance in Iranian society after the Islamic Revolution by examining the views of Imam Khomeini and the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
The necessity and importance of this paper lie in presenting the theoretical foundations of tolerance and forbearance in the opinions of Imam Khomeini, the Supreme Leader, and the Constitution, while also illustrating their practical examples. This aims to highlight the role of tolerance and forbearance and to propose a suitable framework for improving governance in post-revolutionary Iran. The central research question is: What are the characteristics of an ideal Islamic political system in terms of the role of tolerance and forbearance according to Imam Khomeini and the Supreme Leader? The paper employs descriptive-analytical methodology and library research, using the theoretical framework of Islamic moral and political forbearance.
Main Body
Islamic thought does not view tolerance and forbearance as permissiveness or indifference towards expressing opinions but, distancing itself from secular models of tolerance, sees them as tools to realize the ideal Islamic society based on a monotheistic worldview. The core model of the ideal Islamic society grounded in tolerance and forbearance involves leniency towards people while preventing infringement on the principles of Sharia and societal beliefs. Thus, the model of tolerance and forbearance in the discourse of the Islamic Revolution, including in the views of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei, represents a distinct approach derived from the Sharia perspective—primarily related to the sacred Islamic law and secondly to social relations among community members. From this perspective, tolerance and forbearance are neither absolute nor permanent means of governing society and interpersonal or political relations but are tools to implement Sharia rulings, facilitate easy and hassle-free solutions, and consider effective ideas. The boundaries of tolerance and forbearance are also defined by adherence to Sharia principles, public ethics, and respect for others’ beliefs. Imam Khomeini emphasized that without forbearance, the Islamic political system tends toward corruption; therefore, one key factor in preventing corruption, including authoritarianism, is applying tolerance and forbearance. In Imam Khomeini’s views, tolerance and forbearance are ethical attributes and criteria to gauge rulers' popularity among the people. A government that does not rely on violence or coercion but fosters free dialogue within the limits of Sharia, Islamic values, and authentic religious beliefs will naturally attract others. Thus, applying Imam Khomeini’s ideas in domestic and foreign policy signifies a kind of soft power that uses compassionate methods to resolve political conflicts peacefully, leading ultimately to the flourishing of Islamic society and an ideal governance model based on reason and Sharia.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s approach to tolerance and forbearance emphasizes distinguishing between the absolute tolerance in secular Western discourse and the relative tolerance in Islamic thought. This means the Islamic legacy and the vision of an ideal future cannot accommodate absolute tolerance because it undermines the Islamic society’s values and, consequently, the Islamic government built to promote these values. Accordingly, Ayatollah Khamenei’s views involve tolerance combined with firmness and the establishment of clear boundaries by the Islamic government. Ignoring these boundaries and practicing absolute tolerance, as in secular governments, leads to questioning all accepted societal values and paves the way for moral and behavioral chaos in Islamic society. Therefore, tolerance and forbearance require limits to respect Sharia boundaries and prevent paths that ultimately question religious principles and foundations. In this regard, tolerance and forbearance are encompassed by a framework of Sharia rulings, emphasizing citizens’ responsibility and the Islamic government’s accountability to the evolving demands of the people.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of this study, tolerance and forbearance are fundamental elements in governance and societal management, particularly in political and social realms. In societies lacking tolerance and forbearance, violence, suppression, and disregard for others’ thoughts and beliefs dominate, and there is no social responsibility among citizens or governmental accountability toward the people. This research examined the position of tolerance and forbearance in post-revolutionary Iran, focusing on the views of Imam Khomeini and the Supreme Leader. The central question was: What are the main characteristics of an ideal Islamic society based on tolerance and forbearance according to these leaders? The hypothesis is that Imam Khomeini’s views promote the negation of violence and coercive behavior through tolerance and forbearance, while Ayatollah Khamenei sees these concepts as relative and requiring defined boundaries within an Islamic society. The results show that tolerance and forbearance in Islamic thought rely on an ethical and political approach demanding frameworks that safeguard public ethics and prevent neglect of Sharia rulings. Unlike secular approaches, these concepts do not imply indifference toward societal moral fate or endorsing any ideology, including those that deny Sharia rulings. Like any political and social principle, tolerance and forbearance require consideration of public ethics, governmental responsibility in supporting free expression within limits, and citizens’ actions not leading to insult, suppression, or denial of Sharia and ethics in Islamic society.