Speech [Recommending that problems be resolved through peaceful negotiations and mutual understanding]

May God make this `Id a blessed one for all Muslims especially Iranian Muslims. This is our Majlis. None of the Parliamentary representatives since the start of the Constitutional Movement (except maybe in the first term) have been so humble as to sit in such a manner. They were all rich aristocrats who could not have possibly acted so modestly. They were not prepared to sit together in a gathering in this mosque-like fashion (that is, sitting on carpets on the floor). They all lived in mansions, with a few exceptions that were of your profession. No one like me, a regular student, could have ever expected to meet them much less to have the opportunity to talk to them, for they were from the privileged and upper classes. This [the modesty of the government officials] is one of the blessings of this Islamic Movement, and of the blessings of Islam in that all the government bodies are popular. This is popularly-elected Majlis. This Majlis' previous name was the" National Majlis"! Did the people have any say in it?! Was it possible for any of the normal citizens to become a representative? Especially in the recent decades not one of you was a member; it was not the place for you, morally speaking, as it was not a godly one. You could not have attended that Majlis because of your lofty (religious) status and their evilness.

Today we have Muslim figures in the Majlis who have no other intention but to serve Islam and their country. And I am hopeful about this Majlis which consists of the humane people from among our nation, whether those who are Muslims or those who are not but are even so are our brothers from among the minorities. These individuals are all from the people. Today the people are in control of the Majlis. In the previous regime, people were entirely unaware of what went on inside the Majlis and did not have any influence in the legislation. We must be very grateful to God for this blessing.

It is not only the Majlis that has been transformed from evilness to Islam and morality, but all the governmental institutions; the armed forces, the ministers, they are all from the people (and for the people). Our people can now claim to supervise all the affairs. I can recall many of the previous Parliamentary terms. I did visit the Majlis a few times, just as an observer; there was not one single person who was like you. The only terms that were exceptions were the terms in which Mudarris was also a representative and during those first terms which I did not see. Only in the first few terms were there individuals who were of your type. My intention in saying this is that now that you have such a favorable status, it is a pity if something occurs that is contrary to it.

I apologize in advance for the advice that I want to give you, for you are not really in need of any advice, but in any case brothers, giving a reminder is in itself useful. One of the punishments in Hell is that its inhabitants are occupied in constant quarrel. «1» And on the other hand, one of the blessings in Heaven is that its inhabitants enjoy brotherhood and affection. «2» It is one of the great blessings of God, while the quarrels in Hell constitute one of the punishments for its inhabitants that quarrel constantly surges with one another.

Learned people say that whatever punishments or rewards people receive in Hell or Heaven are the consequences of their deeds. It has been narrated in a tradition that Heaven and Hell are empty [they are composed of our own deeds]. And also there is another tradition- which I read long ago and whose meaning I do not exactly know- about angles that would sometimes construct buildings, and, at other times, stop doing so. Apparently the Noble Messenger saw this on the Night of Mi`raj [i. e. the night he visited the Heavens]. He asked Gabriel as to why they worked sometimes and stopped at other times. Gabriel replied that these are the peoples' actions. As long as they are busy in doing good deeds, their (the angles') interests are realized and they become occupied in the construction work. When they cease doing good deeds, the angles, too, cease construction. In any case it is a truth as far as the mystics are concerned that whatever we receive in the hereafter is the outcome of what we do. It is not that the Blessed and Exalted God has made fire to burn us; we generate the fire ourselves. And it has also been stated in the Qur'an that we will receive what we have done in this world.

Based on these two Holy verses [v.64 of Sad and v.47 of Hijr] we can figure out whether we are people of hell or heaven. If we are the inimical sort, our place is in hell. There are some instances when people discuss matters. This is very common among theology students who sometimes go so far as hollering, but when the discussion is over, they are still friends. The hot discussion does not result in animosity. There are two friends that discuss a topic and each one has his own opinion. And this is actually a good intellectual exercise which strengthens the students' academic abilities. Such an exercise does not perhaps exist in other academic circles. Of course, in some instances their arguments really become very intense and serious. Mr. Sayyid Ahmad Zanjani (may God bless his soul) once told me that one of the issues of" Mulla Nasriddin" newspaper, which was printed in the Caucasus «3» featured a caricature that depicted two clergymen arguing; one had knocked out the other's tooth and the latter had struck the former with his shoe. He had depicted this caricature in criticizing the clergy, ignorant of the fact that even though it sometimes happens that their discussions are very heated, but after their discussions, they are still friends.

If our difference of opinions regarding the problems we face in various situations does not elicit animosity, as is the case among the theology students [we are on the right track]. There are many issues being dealt with in the Majlis, and there will certainly be many more ahead in the future pertaining to the problems of our people; and on every issue, every individual has his/her own opinion. If this diversity of opinions is really based on hostility, God forbid, we should realize that we will burn in hellfire, for hostility in this world entails hostility in the next world. If our activities are based on faith, brotherhood and cordiality, then everyone is duty-bound to give his/her opinions [without any kind of hostile confrontation]. It is not permissible for anyone to neglect and hesitate in giving his/her opinion if they think they are correct. When they realize something, they should make it known, regardless of who agrees or opposes, for you are the peoples' representatives; they have faith in you. Thus you should pronounce your views regarding the issues pertaining to the people to the extent that you can and understand. However, this should not lead to defiance and hostility. Try to keep calm [when discussing your views] and it's no problem if you raise your voice. But this should not create hostility. Just like the arguments among the theology students which never lead to animosity. Sometimes, two friends burst into very furious arguments, over some topics pertaining to their studies. They even shout at each other, but after the discussion is done they are still friends; they are still brothers. They do not continue arguing about what he said and what the other said. They are friends with different opinions. The issues are in conflict. Thus, when different issues are dealt with, it is all right if you hold opposing views; just make sure you don't oppose each other's personalities. You should be friends and brothers, and at the same time pronounce your opposing views that deal with the progress of Islam and the country. They [the representatives in the Majlis] should examine such subjects and make known their views as best as they can, and to the extent of their ability. But after the session ends, they should be friends just like the theology students who sit down after their discussions and drink tea together.

People holding different opinions do not have to be enemies. You [i. e. the representative in the Majlis] are all Muslims and believers. You all belong to this country and thus follow the interests of this nation. We all want to seek the interests of Islam and of those who live in this land of Islam under its protection, and also the interests of all those who are here as representatives of the minorities. Islam calls for recognizing the interests of all people and on an equal basis. The people being represented are all citizens of this country and thus have rights in this country. And you are the representatives of these people and hence you should serve them. Every one of you is the representative of all the entire population and thus should keep in mind the interests of all the people. So the best discussions are the friendly ones. If friends come up with different opinions, they solve their problems congenially, not with hostility.

Of course, I know that many of you are pious, that is, I'm sure that most of you are such. Hopefully you are all virtuous. I am not familiar with everybody. But I can see from your faces: that you are from among the people of this country. We do not have representatives from among the wealthy classes who would have goals other than the interests of the nation

in the past or present or, God willing, the future. They all want to strengthen Islam, to implement the law of Islam and to serve the nation. Thus, when they all hold the same beliefs, the same goals- to serve the people and to improve the country and to uproot the kernel of corruption in the country- there will not be any hostility.

But supposing that the representatives were from a certain group who sought their wicked goals or if they were servants for the superpowers, in that case, yes; there would be animosity. Only then would animosity really make sense, for if there were such evil people in the Majlis who were conspirators and wanted to create disorder in the Majlis and the country, and who would not correct themselves and you had no hope that they would be guided, then you would have been duty-bound to respond and that would have created animosity. But none among you have such aims.

I am sure that none of you have the [evil] intention of creating disturbances in the country. Your intention is to keep the country calm so that your brothers[ and sisters ]would have a comfortable and easy life in this country. You all want to keep the outsiders away from the nation- and God willing it will be done. You all want to serve your nation. You are from among the common people, not from the upper classes which have no idea what is going on among the other people, and are not aware of their situation. You have come from among the commoners and thus are aware of what goes on among them and among the poor who live in this country. You have the same type of life with just a little difference. What is necessary for us, for you and for all the people and for all of those who are responsible in the governance of this country is cooperation. If they have different opinions over some matter, they should sit down and solve the problem through (peaceful) dialogue. If the representatives sense something wrong occurring in the Majlis, they should confer and consult their friends. And, God willing, this will be the dawn of the final victory.

We have no fear of the superpowers. Even though, we lack all that murderous weaponry, our faith compels us not to fear, and not be apprehensive. When all the people unitedly decide to do something, they cannot be forced otherwise. Force is effective only when people are not united. When they split up, there is the chance for one group to impose something upon another. But if they unite, there will be no room for oppression neither from within nor from without. The world powers, no matter how mighty they be, are weak when confronting a [united] people.

I may have said this once before that the Soviet Union's ambassador met me some time ago and told me that the Afghan government has requested that they [i. e. the Soviets] interfere in their affairs. When he told me that, I did not know that they had already entered Afghanistan and that he was telling me after they had taken action- [I realized later on that] there was no Afghan government to ask the Soviets to intervene; they set up a government afterwards. But I told him that it was a mistake on their part. I told him that it may be easy for them to take the country because of their strength and the large force they have. But they cannot control a whole nation. I told him that they will not have any progress after they enter and that the Afghans will surely oppose them to the point that they will be weakened. But they had already taken action. They were not informing me to please me or to get my permission to go and take over a Muslim country.

The truth is that when a nation is united and the people are like brothers and support one another, the superpowers dissolve into the masses no matter how heavy their weaponry, the nation will swallow them. We do not fear such conspiracies at all. Moreover, I believe that the conception that some have regarding the recent action taken by the Soviet Union- that it is a terrible threat to us- is not correct. It is not a real threat; however, we must be careful. Our army, our gendarmerie, the Islamic Guard Corps, and all the people must be ready. Of course, all of our people are soldiers of Islam and thus must be careful. People must be attentive of what goes on around them and as soon as they notice some suspicious movements, they must inform the authorities. If they notice some unusual movements in and out of a house, they must let the authorities know at once. And the authorities must immediately take control of the matter. Even though all these precautions must be carried out, I assure you that they will not be successful and they will not be able to do any harm to this country.

Even after presuming such things, let us suppose that they come and, in their own words, kill all the priests and the believers. Is that any reason for us to be frightened? [If we die] we will just be moving to a better life. Why should we fear? I am not saying that we can overpower them; we are stronger in faith. We follow the same logic that the first Muslims went by: if we kill them, we will go to heaven and if we are killed by them, we will also go to heaven. This is the logic of the faithful. Those who believe in the Blessed and Exalted God and the Qur'an, believe that there is no way they can lose. Neither aspect of the matter is to our detriment. If we get killed, we are actually changing outfits- we are putting on a better dress- and if we kill, we are expelling inhumane beings. Thus, we have nothing to fear, but again I assure you that they will not succeed. The nation is an Islamic one; you are working for God. It is for the sake of God that our people are striving. They sacrificed their youth only for God's sake; they had no other purpose in mind. It doesn't make any sense for people to sacrifice their children in order to have better homes or, for example, to eat better food. They started off for God's sake and only had His rewards in mind. No one owes anyone else anything. We would have all done it for His sake, God willing, and will be rewarded by Him, either in this world or in the next.

May God give you success. I am truly your servant and will serve you for the remainder of my life. May God elevate you to the highest peak of knowledge. And may God deal with the enemies of this country and Islam, either by guiding them or by punishing them.

May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.