The Dialectic of Resistance and Surrender: A Conceptual Study in the Political Sphere in Light of the Thought of Sayyid Ali Khamenei

Abstract

This research addresses the dialectic of resistance and surrender in the thought of Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei, framing it as a conceptual and strategic lens through which the global struggle between the oppressed and the arrogant is interpreted—not merely from a military or political perspective, but as a comprehensive civilizational paradigm rooted in the depth of Islamic prophetic thought. The study views resistance as a broad liberation project that transcends emotional or momentary reactions to become a rational path grounded in core values such as monotheism, justice, human dignity, and Islamic unity. It is framed as a faith-based, ethical, and strategic stance that rejects dependency and domination, affirming sovereignty, independence, and identity.

In contrast, surrender is approached as a deconstructive trajectory that leads to the absorption into Western hegemonic projects and the eventual collapse of the political and civilizational self of Islamic societies. The study relies on a critical analysis of Imam Khamenei’s speeches and official writings to identify the foundational principles of resistance thought and applies them to contemporary political realities—most notably the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, the awakening of Western public consciousness, and the emergence of grassroots resistance movements in Syria despite political fragmentation.

The research concludes that resistance in Imam Khamenei’s vision represents more than a military tactic or reactionary stance—it is a comprehensive civilizational endeavor aimed at building an Islamic civilizational state founded on independence, justice, dignity, and the capacity to confront global arrogance. This study thus contributes to the development of a sociological framework that bridges theory and practice in the face of the political and civilizational challenges confronting the Islamic Ummah.