In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Struggling and bearing difficulties in seeking our goals
The thing that makes all matters easy to bear is that we, our nation and Mr. Sadr «1»- May God give him health- have encountered difficulties for the sake of our creed. When it is a question of service, it is our duty to serve Islam. The felicity that lies in whatever measure of success we have in accomplishing the task in view is above that inherent in the act itself. And even if we are not successful, the goodness of the act; that is, serving Islam and the creed, will remain. I have known Mr. Sadr for many years. In fact, I ought to say that I had brought him up. I am aware of his virtues. I am aware of the service he rendered after going to Lebanon, and also of the fact that Lebanon needs him. I hope that, God willing, he will return to his own place and the Muslims will benefit by his presence. Even now that this person says that there is evidence to the effect of his presence in Libya is, itself, an act of service to Islam and the creed. It will be recorded as an act of worship on his part. These things that take place should also be easy to bear because it is for the cause of Islam.
We are aware of the pains the saints of Islam took. At their head was the Apostle of God who toiled and underwent a lot of trouble all his life. After him, our Imams took a lot of trouble also. They did not see a" single happy day" as per the terminology of the materialists, although they were" happy in pursuing a certain path" in the terminology of the mystics and the experts on Islam. In any case, this was a practice that the saints of Islam had from the outset. They were imprisoned, persecuted and killed in the pursuit of their aim. It is now two years that Mr. Sadr has been in prison. But his forebear is definitely said to have been imprisoned for seven years, and probably for even fourteen years. «2»
This was the" way" of all the saints of God; not only those of the Islamic era, but also the prophets and saints of the pre-Islamic period. It was not that they lived in material comfort and were engaged in ungodly pursuits. When you study the history of the prophets, you will see that it is replete with struggle, toil and trouble. But they were content inasmuch as they were pursuing their goals. And this is a matter of pride to you and to the Mr. Sadr's family that a competent, pious individual who had been serving[ the faith ]in undergoing this ordeal for the sake of this service. I hope that this final adversity will soon end. I pray for him and will continue to do so, and hope that, God willing, he will be released soon and return [home].
Nationality is of no importance in Islam
You know that the problems of Lebanon and Iran are not different problems. The Muslims, wherever they are, ought to be united. The pains and problems of one group should also be those of another group. Their problems should not be separate. The fact that we are Iranians and they are Lebanese, living elsewhere, is not at issue in Islam. It considers all those who believe in God to be brothers. It does not view them as separate entities. Islam does not make distinctions between the people of Arab countries, non-Arab ones, Iran and elsewhere. Such considerations concern materialistic-minded people who say that we are Iranians and ought to do this and that for Iran, and those who are Iraqis say that they are Iraqis and such things. There are no such considerations in Islam. Islam wants the whole world to be one family. It wants a single government to be established for the entire world; a government of justice. It wants all the people to be like one family. We have, therefore, repeatedly spoken about this matter. It is being mentioned everywhere that the Iranians and Iraqis are separate nations intolerant of one another. It is said that they have nothing to do even with Islam, but are concerned with" nation" and" nationalism". This is a baseless issue of no consequence in Islam; rather, it is contrary to Islam.
While Islam respects one's country inasmuch as it is one's birthplace, it does not place it together with Islam. Islam constitutes the basis. All the rest are secondary issues. And the main point about the people who are orthodox is service to Islam. It makes no difference whether this service is in Lebanon or Iran. It is service wherever it is performed; whether in prison or outside it. He [Mr. Sadr] is rendering service [to Islam] even now, the reason being that when one undergoes hardships- it cannot be called hardship- for the sake of Islam, everything becomes trouble-free and easy.
You can see the [high] morale of these youths who are serving Islam here and in Lebanon, etc. A youth had come here just the other day. He wanted to marry some lady. After the dowry had been discussed, that lady said that she wanted him to take her to Mecca as her dowry. The youth replied that he would not live to take her to Mecca as he would be martyred. Finally, after talking to him for a length of time, we persuaded him that he would live, God willing, and continue serving. Such a spirit engendered in the youths is a very good one. I hope that this spirit develops in all of us; the spirit of adhering to the faith and paying attention to the faith; not to other matters.
I pray to the Blessed and Exalted God to make all of us optimistic that Mr. Sadr will return and continue his service [to the Muslims]. May God grant patience to all his family members in this separation. May the day arrive when the waiting ends so that all of us see him and he achieves success in serving the creed, and the Shi`ahs of Lebanon; in fact all Muslims benefit by his presence, God willing.
May God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.