In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
It is most regrettable that I often face torturous issues and at times, I have to bring them to the attention of the noble nation. One such issue is price hiking and profiteering on which there have been repeated complaints. It is even said that commodities, which are distributed by the government to be sold at a certain price, are being sold at exorbitant prices to the poor people and caused inconvenience and distress for their brothers and sisters.
I would like to ask sellers, in particular, those selling foodstuffs to desist from price hiking and oppressive practices and return to Islamic ethics and practices. I advise them to treat the nation, which sacrificed its blood in the path of Islam and gave its youth (to the cause) fairly. I fear that, God forbid, we will be stricken with His wrath and fury and both the innocent and the guilty will burn together (in hell).
I am warning that if they do not stop price hiking and their defiance of Islam, they will be treated according to codes of Divine justice, religious law rule, and the Islamic and religious law code of punishment. My brethren! Come to your senses before the divine lash is meted out to you and cease doing these oppressive practices. May God amend your ways. May God's peace be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini