Speech [Martyrdom in Shi`ism; the ideal Islamic government]

I do not know whether to congratulate you for having such a distinguished personality in your household and a fountain head of honor for you and for your family, or give my condolences for his departure. We have lost a man whom we hoped could have served (the country) more. However, your father's martyrdom is the continuation of all martyrdoms which have taken place since the outset of Islam. Shi`ism is a religion of martyrdom. It has crystallized through martyrdom, and has lived on through with a series of martyrdoms. I hope it will continue in the same way forever.

Since man is not eternal and he has to depart from this world, it is better for him to pass away through martyrdom for God and Islam. Those who perform their duties for God or get martyred while they are serving God shall have immortal names and shall receive special position with God. The martyrs have specific place in this world and in the world after. I hope Mr. Mutaffih, whom I know very well, shall join the martyrs of the outset of Islam. It is our duty to continue treading this path until we can establish Islam in Iran and elsewhere. The way the Blessed and Exalted God wants it. The main objective is for Islam to materialize, which has been the objective since the Prophet's appointment up until the end of time to spread Islam. Regrettably, up to now Islam has not been introduced the way it should be.

Those who oppose Islam are against our way of life and everything we have. They have tried so far to bury Islam in the books and mosques. They never let Islam, neither its government nor its justice be implemented in the external world. If we could introduce Islam to the world the way that it was introduced by past Islamic leaders and if the way it was implemented in the world by certain Islamic governments, all the people of the world would show inclinations toward it. Now, when people hear of the words," the Islamic Republic", they visualize a government like that of the monarchical regimes kings, or a little better than that. This is because people have developed a mentality of hearing and seeing monarchical regimes and spending their lives till the end with such ruling systems of listening to the names of the kings. They cannot imagine any other form of government. It has been proposed before but never materialized. And if ever such schemes found reality then people would understand the true image of the regimes ruling over them.

Imam `Ali (`a), whose territory extended from Hijaz up to Egypt, Iran, Syria, and some parts of Europe, lived an extremely simple life. Others could not tolerate this simplicity. He used to tell the governors that they lacked the capacity for such a simple life. He asked them to help him lead a pious life. A man with such a domain of power used to go to the homes of the poor people at night to help them.

It is reported that one night Imam `Ali (`a) paid a visit to a home where there were some orphans. When he entered the house, these children were crying. He caressed them and gave them some gifts. When the Imam wanted to leave them, he produced a funny sound to make the children laugh. He said," When I entered, they were crying. I would like to leave them laughing. Such a ruler sovereignty over a vast empire extending from the Hijaz and Egypt and Turkey. He led such a life of frugality that at nights he like to leave them used to sleep on a skin with his wife, Hadrat Zahra «1» and, the following day, he used the same skin to feed his camel some forage. Thiis was how a ruler and an army commander lived. One of his great officers was Malik al-Ashtar. «2» It had been narrated that once, Malik al-Ashtar was going to the bazaar and while passing through an alley somebody unknowingly swore at him. Malik did not protest and continued his way. Others reproached the man, saying:" Do you know who he was?" The man said, "No." when told that it was Malik al-Ashtar, the terrified man dashed to follow Malik and found him in the mosque, to apologize and say that he did not recognize him. Malik told him," I came here to pray for you." This is the moral discipline that exists in Iran this was the way of the leaders of Islam. The life pattern of the leader was like that of its commanders and its foot soldiers. If such a just government is implemented then the top person of a country is equal to lowest person and at times, the life of the country's leader is even more miserable than that of ordinary citizens. Imam `Ali (`a) once said that once perhaps there was a hungry person living in and this thought would assume him to undergo hunger. On the night of his martyrdom, he was the guest of Umm Kulthoum. «3» She brought him milk, salt and a loaf of bread. The Imam (`a) asked her," Have you seen me having two courses of food at a time?" She wanted to take away the salt but Imam `Ali (`a) asked her to remove the milk. This was the life pattern of an Islamic leader. When the Imam was struck by Ibn Muljim, «4» may God curse him, the latter was taken into custody by the Imam's followers. The Imam ordered that they treat the assassin kindly and ordered them to take to him the same food they had brought him. He then told the follower," If I survive, I will punish him, if not be amicable to him." But surely, if the Imam had got better, he would have pardoned him. He then added," If you want to carry out the law of retaliation then remember one stroke for one stroke."

The Islamic government is the rule of law, the rule of God. It is the government of the Holy Qur'an. The scale of the measurement is the piety." Surely, the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most pious." «5» Such a government, if introduced to the world, would meet with general approval. Unfortunately, we are hampered to introduce it. All sorts of propaganda are being leveled against us and Islam. However, the changes taking place in Iran are heartening. When a young man who has lost his father says," I am proud of my father," «6» and today I read in the papers that the mother of the same youth said that she was proud, too, we feel the future is bright. There are many mothers who have told me that they have sacrificed many sons of theirs and that they are ready to sacrifice more. This change of attitude is delightful both for us and for Islam. This country has gone through a drastic change. Our country's position now is like that at the outset of Islam when people competed to get martyred. Now, we are happy that Islam is now improving and we are not bothered by the internal and external blows leveled at us.

I hope no one else would sustain any injuries. They kill our dignitaries one by one in the hope to strike a blow over us. But after each assassination we see the Revolution becomes warmer and takes on a momentum. When the late Mutahhari was taken from us, people did not sit idle. The same thing is happening nor that Mr. Mufattih is martyred. People now are different in that they would not give up even if they are confronted with many disasters. The enemy's efforts are in vain since our nation is invincible now. It is nonsense to threaten us with military intervention. Supposing this happened, our country would not fear the military forces. A nation who took to the streets, resisting such an evil government and brought it down would not get frightened even if the enemies brought about bloodshed.

I hope God will keep you safe. I congratulate you and give you my condolences at the same time. May God keep you in good health. I hope you will follow the way your distinguished father has taken. We, as well, should continue his way which is the path of God. I send my condolences to you ladies, gentlemen, his friends and to the Islamic nation in general.