Speech [Low Class Distinction - Framework of Freedom of Speech and penning - Dignity of faqih in Islamic Government]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

It is not the first time I hear what you read. From the very start of revolution up to its victory releasing 35 million people began thinking about the troubles, with their attention to the revolution diminishing. Almost every day we read these in papers and listen to speeches. We are not negligent of these things; these issues are clear. You know that regardless of the 2500 years, in the past 50 years or so they had planned to drive Iran to revolt and decadence. They worked to eliminate everything. You see what has been done to agriculture in the name of reforms. Everything is kept underdeveloped and now whoever comes from his land says ours is worst of all! This ranges from Kurdestan, Bakhtityari, Balouchestan to Khouzestan. This is almost brought about as a matter of backwardness and public poverty, freely delivering the national resources to enemies of Islam beside further things of what you said.

When a country of 35 million people is driven out of strangling situation all of a sudden and is free maintain a right for them as they have had a part in the developments. Well, the problems are theirs, but they should think whether the problems could be resolved so soon. Can all this homelessness, misery, economic under-development, corruption, unemployment, let's say, agricultural drawbacks and the like be well done through a state or a group so soon? This, of course, needs time. You see that opposition does not give respite to the government and us to handle the things with ease of mind. They give rise to disorders. Well, when there is confusion around in Kurdistan, can asphalt road be made there? Assume it is asphalted? Well, there is war waged there. Can it be done in war? Can there be reconstruction works there? They are aggravating things to make people frustrated. They want to throw people aside, that is, a power, and let them be disappointed with no ability of working. These are the things under consideration.

Many of what you said is under study. Just the day before, some gentlemen were here and talked to me concerning the problems you enumerated and said the problems are being studied for implementation. Stop imagining that we are unmindful of these things; you see we are here now to hear their problems. Groups after you, one after another, come here to see me. I must go up on the roof to reach people. Yet, those who seek mischief argue that so and so never meets anyone at all! They write that I do not meet anyone, but you are here now. They say there is only one channel of meeting a few people of knowledge! Whereas as you know, I get up in the morning and meet many people until noon. I am 80 and meet all people, men, women, people of knowledge and different tribes. When they say I am not meeting people who raise their problems, they mean to make you realize that I am unable to do something because I am kept uninformed of the things! Well, when one is unaware of anything, one cannot do anything. I am well informed of everything and everywhere. The man raised something about Kurdistan that I well knew.

The issues you posed have been repetitively talked about. I say we are mindful of things and be assured that Islam lives for the oppressed. I talked to the capitalists and factory owners who frequented here that it is not unadvisable to see one group live that way, even getting a car for their dogs whereas another group is beheld to lead a ghetto life where every ten people stay in a cubbyhole. This is by no means bearable.

I warned them saying if, God forbid, an explosion takes place in context of Islam- once something would happen in taghout time, well, they said it is taghout and we said Islam, God willing, would fix the things in the future; now this is said again- with a disappointment, then no power can end it. The disappointment comes up if we cannot pull down the corrupt people a bit and pull up the oppressed a little. This is a threat to a class of people that is unmindful of affairs. I gave them some pieces of advice. I now admonish all those with much wealth to be mindful and know if, God forbid, the population grows discouraged and bursts into instigation, all of you and us will be wiped away. You must take a piece of idea and do something. Of course, they should not think this way. We are liable to think and we do it through legal aspects and divine guardianship.

I was in Najaf where Le Monde interviewed me «1» and I said what situation we had. We ourselves settle account with usurers. Islam will not be such as to let this group and that group does such a thing. We will square up with them. They had nothing to do with Islam. Usurers must be inspected in their actions and accounts whenever possible. At any rate, we know these troubles. I know what is happening in some places.

As for what you said that the courts act in disharmony, a few days ago in Qum a group of court judges were invited to propose unanimous action that might fix the case, God willing. We know well that there are some people even some clerics who act improperly. Of course, they will gradually mend their way. Rest assured that the case is settled. You were the people, empty-handed, who led the strong state and the satanic power to split apart and go to hell; what are you afraid of now? You fear four democrats or four thieves? These are bandits. I remember well, but you do not. Like the ones in Khomein where they came to capture but people stopped them. For some time, they launched larceny; later on, banditry centered on one spot, meaning Rida Khan and his son! They prevented others from it and made it exclusive to themselves. Now, they are gone and other bandits are free to act, like the four ones I mentioned. Who are afraid of them? Nobody. Everything will be corrected.

Considering the revolutions elsewhere like the Soviet's, one that is sixty years old, disordered and corrupted. Millions of people are murdered, millions! It is said there are million people killed in an unimportant revolution nowadays. Iranian revolution, being an Islamic one, caused them not to massacre people aimlessly as they had faith in Islam. This is the best revolution occurred till now. Of course, there was bloodshed, but it was little. On the other hand, people in the center of corruption killed the masses; some of them were punished and some others fled. Yet, the Islamic Revolution, among others in the world, has been better and proper. All were given absolute freedom after it occurred.

Do you imagine freedom is accessible in other revolutions? People were not granted freedom. In post-revolution period, all newspapers were banned, all gatherings were prohibited and everybody was suffocated in the name of revolution. Many things happen in revolution but ours prevented no group and no pen except those known for being conspiratorial were banned. Anti-Islam conspirators intending to raise a plot were barred and told what to do. Now spoiled writers say why we ban the so and so magazine. Well, they do not understand that newspaper or magazine receive entire resources from Israel. They expect us not to stop Israel even if it is engaged in conspiracy! Pens must be free, but pens that are not conspiratorial. All pens and newspapers are free when they do not aim at retarding and decaying our nation. These pens look like the former bayonets that wanted to lead the nation to decadence. Of course, the nation ceases to tolerate the situation because the youth have been sacrificed. Now four people sitting at their table devise a plan, saying the pen are not free. What else is not free? Which pens are not free? Spoiled pens need not be free. Presently, very many of the spoiled writers including those crying for freedom are free. They are conspirators.

Anyway, be assured and move forward with strong hearts and clenched fists. You are triumphant provided you preserve the revolution in its origin and strength. Do not refer to minor things, complaining that" I do not have my real place or it is smaller than someone else's. Forget considering things of your own, e.g my position must be such and such.

As you see what is said, we know a group of people lives in ghettos. We observe it and we feel sorry for them, but it is not so as they are not being considered. Consideration is given to them to improve their situation gradually. Just now some people in charge of Mustad`afin Foundation attended here showing how much they had done on building houses. They said they were doing it more. Surely, 30 million populations many of whom are vagabond and live uncomfortably. Such a problem needs gradual improvement. Besides that our economy is ruined; over dues left behind for our nation to pay back to banks and whatever they had were taken away. Assume whatever of their properties is mortgaged of banks in exchange for money. A few months ago, they knew they were going to be finished, so they thought of taking everything away and they did so. But God is with you and us. Whoever acts for God and rises up for God, one shall not let fear in one. If one is defeated, one should not be frightened because this is not a defeat. We work for God. The Doyen of Martyrs (`a) was overcome but as he worked for God he is not defeated whereas his defeat is in form not in content. You will become victorious, God willing. I hope Islam is fulfilled as we wish it to be. Once fulfilled, everything would be set in order.

Stop complaining of the Assembly of Experts as it includes `ulama' who consider everything in plans. One of the members of the assembly came to me the day before and said they had plans. Do not imagine they want to reinstate the arrogant powers. No, this is not the issue. Neither the assembly nor Muslims would be ready to restore the situation of former plundering nor usury and what the Khans did to farmers? This is not the issue and you should not fear it. Do not be deceived by those who deny the assembly. These are the people that intend to stop the assembly working and let not the revolution bear fruits but return to what they need. The good among them want a democratic republic minus Islam and the ones dependent on somewhere wish what is said above.

At any rate, we must join hands to chant what we cried at the outset:" Freedom, Independence and Islamic Republic". Islamic Republic means precepts of Islam; the precepts of Islam must prevail. If they say with the establishment of wilayat-e faqih dictatorship is formed, this indicates that they do not understand it. Wilayat-e faqih shall not be settled, as the government must belong to the nation. They are not well informed of wilayat-e faqih, who wants to stop dictatorship rather than be a dictator himself. They fear that larceny might be banned! If the president comes to power with the endorsement of faqih, one who knows what Islam is and is annoyed for Islam, allows him not to make a mistake, If the president is a westerner and is empowered, there would be no objection! Whereas if he is a faqih with his life devoted to Islam and is interested in Islam with the conditions restricting the faqih from any violation, objections are raised.

Islam is the religion of law. Muhammad the Prophet could not violate the law! He did not, because he could not disobey the law. God says to him," If Muhammad ascribed lies to me, he would be avenged and cut off his vessel of hand." «2» It is law that rules. No one rules other than the divine law. There is guardianship for anyone, neither faqih nor non-faqih. All act under law. All people, including faqih and non-faqih, practice law. Faqih monitors implementation of law so that they might not disobey law. He never wants to exert rule but intends to let not the governments be inclined toward taghout and dictatorship if they remain in power for a while. We have suffered a lot, for Islam and blood of your youths has been shed for Islam. Now will we let its foundation, existed in time of the Commander of the Faithful (`a) and Muhammad (s), shake because of a handful of cheap people who circle around, cross their legs, have coffee and use their pens against it? Can we allow them to do so? Is it permissible for a Muslim to leave aside Islam and waste the blood shed for it? This is because such wilayat-e faqih fails to exist! Well, you do not know who he is; wilayat-e faqih existed from scratch, when Muhammad (s) lived. What do they say? These people, uninformed of jurisprudence, of living affairs say such things to spoil the minds. They imagine that we are here for the capitalists! That was a statement I heard today! Sir, the issue goes beyond such things; this is propaganda. Do not be after whom they are; they are righteous people always busy with the affairs. Those fearing Islam must of course lash out at everything. They criticize every person in charge on one hand and attack every group at work on the other hand. Whoever talks of Islam, they shall block him.

May God assist you and good luck! We all are your servants. I hope we achieve our aim that is our Islam, God willing.