Ma`rifat Siyasi

This article employs a comparative approach to analyze two distinct models of religious politics in the thought of Saint Augustine and Imam Khomeini. Despite their historical, linguistic, and traditional differences, both thinkers—as theologians, philosophers, and mystics—have examined the relationship between religion and politics. Within the framework of Christian theology and influenced by Neoplatonism, Augustine presents a separatist model in which politics, as an earthly and perishable realm, remains separate from the sphere of religion and salvation. In contrast, Imam Khomeini, drawing on Islamic mysticism, transcendent theosophy (al-ḥikmah al-muta‘āliyah), and Shiʻi jurisprudence, regards politics as a manifestation of divine will and the concrete extension of religion within society. The article demonstrates that these two models differ not only in their understanding of political legitimacy, the role of people, the place of mysticism, and the purpose of government but also belong to two distinct meaning systems in ontology and anthropology. Thus, religious politics in Augustine’s thought is built upon avoiding the contamination of power to preserve the sanctity of religion, whereas in Imam Khomeini’s thought, religion does not fully manifest itself except within the context of politics and social guidance. This comparative analysis, by elucidating the philosophical, theological, and mystical foundations of the two approaches, provides a basis for rethinking the relationship between religion and power in different religious traditions.