Speech [Enemies' plot to isolate the clergy; the profound duty of the clergy at this juncture]

First I would like to thank the distinguished spiritual leaders of the towns and cities, and the Sunni and Shi`ah Friday Imams (congregational prayer leaders) who have taken the trouble of coming here. Similarly, I thank all brothers present here and are either sitting or standing here in great discomfort. There are certain issues that must necessarily be brought to your notice though you, yourselves, are aware of them. There is one thing which we all know and you all know. It is that the satans, big and small, and those that wanted to- and want to- grab power for themselves everywhere and rob the nations of all their assets have been hatching bizarre plots for many long years. Unfortunately, many of the strata of the people were heedless of these matters. One of these was that the clergy should have nothing to do with political affairs, and that they ought to guide the people in matters relating to prayers, fasting and such things and restrict themselves to the mosques and their homes. Their occupation concerned the mosque where they should go and pray, and then go home and rest. Propaganda had been made of this matter in such a way as to convince almost all the people. For the clergy to take part in politics was tantamount to being abused. Saying that so-and-so clergyman is involved in politics was taken as abusing him. Many of the people and the clergymen as well came to believe in this. If something concerning a social issue or the nation was mentioned, some of the clerics would say that they had nothing to do with political matters. If a clergyman said anything concerning the nation's policies or the country's interests, It would be said that he was a politician and was acting against the norm. This was the issue they had made much of within and outside the country, and which could not be easily erased from the people's minds. They wanted to isolate a large group from society- a group which society itself followed - and take their place. They wanted to be the ruling power and restrict the clergy to bare congregational prayers devoid of social and political issues.

I heard a story from the late Haj Rouhullah Khorramabadi «1» and I have a story myself. It is about the late Mr. Kashani «2»- may God have mercy on his soul- who was exiled to Khorramabad and was jailed in the Falak al-Aflak «3» fort or somewhere. According to Haj Rouhullah, he had requested the army officer- who was in charge of the fort where Mr. Kashani was being held in his custody- to take him to Aqa Kashani.

When I say" jailed" in Rida Khan's time, you may think that it was like being imprisoned in the usual way in the other periods. In this respect, the son, too, was like his father. When an ordinary person was arrested, he would be so intimidated as to be unable to utter a word against the government, for example, or some government official. As the late Haj Aqa Rouhullah told me, he had requested the officer in charge of the place to take him to Mr. Kashani. The officer accepted and duly look him too see Mr. Kashani, while the three of them were together, the officer started talking. Looking at Mr. Kashani, he asked him why he had got himself into trouble or something to that effect. He asked Mr. Kashani as to why he interfered in politics. He (the officer) said that it was beneath Mr. Kashani's dignity to take part in politics. And with such remarks, he began talking. Mr. Kashani rejoined:" You are a real ass." Such a word in those days was unutterable. It was tantamount to murder. Nevertheless, Mr. Kashani told the officer that he was a big donkey, adding that if he did not take part (in politics), who would? I too have a story when I was in prison; it was decided to transfer me from there to Qaitariyeh «4» to be incarcerated in that place. The security chief «5» was there at the time. When I was taken to him, he said:" Sir, politics means falsehood and telling lies. It means cheating, chicanery, rascality and such things. You leave it to us." I replied:" Such politics is for you!" He later came and lied to me that Mr. So-and-so had given up politics whereupon I gave him a fitting reply. This is the whole thing. The politics which these people talk about such as telling lies, playing tricks, indulging in chicanery, plundering the people by duping and defrauding them, dominating the people, confiscating their property and so forth, have no bearing on Islamic policies. Such politics of theirs is satanic. But the politics that means guiding society and directing it to where its interests lie, has been documented in our Narrations, using the term" politics," in the case of the Noble Messenger. And in the supplications known as" Ziyarat-e Jami`ah," the term" politician servants" «6» is evidently mentioned. It also appears in that Narration that the Noble Messenger was given the mission of being responsible for the ummah's policies. «7»

I should say that politics is the right of the clergy, the prophets and the saints of God. But the scope of their politics is different from what these ones practice. Suppose that we find someone who practices politics in the right way- not in its corrupt, satanic sense- and a government, a president, an administration that adopts correct policies are to the nation's good, such politics is then one dimension of that which has had to do with the prophets, the saints and, now, the clergy of Islam. Man is not one-dimensional, and neither is society. Man is not merely an animal to be only concerned about food and eating food. Satanic policies, even if correct, lead man in one direction which in the animalistic one. The social dimension is a materialistic one which is an imperfect part of the politics that in Islam, has been specified for the prophets and the Imams, their aim was to guide the people, all the nations, society and individuals, and lead them towards every good imaginable foar mankind, for society. It is the same as the" Straight Path" that appears in the Qur'an and which we mention in our prayers: Show us the straight path «8». It takes the nation, society and people along a path that is a straight one beginning from here and terminating in the Hereafter. It leads to God.

Politics means guiding and leading society. It means to take into consideration all which is to its benefit, and all the dimensions of human beings and society. It is there to guide them to that which is of benefit to them, the nation and individuals. This is the preserve of the prophets. Others cannot manage such politics. It is exclusive to the prophets, the saints and those following them- the vigilant clergy of Islam. It also concerns the vigilant `ulama' of every nation that existed in the time of its prophet. Even the correct policies of those that tell us not to take part in politics and to leave it to them, are animalistic ones. The politics of the corrupt people is satanic. Even the politics of those who guide the people properly is at the level of man's animalistic nature, the world's welfare and worldly considerations. But the prophets guide this world and also the next one, the former being the way to the latter. They invite the people to this path and whatever is to their and society's benefit; material and spiritual benefits from the first level to the last, as man has various levels of perfection. Politics is the occupation of Islamic and spiritual politicians, and of the prophets (`a). Religiousness is that same politics that moves people, and everything that is to their and the nation's good, from here. It takes them along the path- which is that straight path- that is beneficial for the nation.

You gentlemen and the entire nation ought to bear in mind that they had trained us in this way in the past. Through their propaganda, the plundering powers tried to keep us out of politics. They ensured that we play no part in the people's social and political affairs. Those that wanted to serve the big powers, wanted to take the political affairs in their hands and also the government and all other matters. They wanted to drag the people towards that state which they themselves and the big powers wanted. That is, to throw us into the lap of East or West. Such politics is satanic. Suppose, if they had politics based on humanity, they had it in only one dimension. Only the politics practiced by the prophets had all the dimensions. And this the committed clergy have inherited. We must never imagine, and you, too, should not think that the big powers have left us to our own devices. At present, all kinds of ruses are being employed to keep you out of politics, and not allow you to have any part in social affairs and in any administrative matters. Yes, I had once said when I was in Najaf that the status of the `ulama' is higher than that which calls for entering into the realm of executive affairs. But this is true if there are individuals who are dedicated to Islam and are able to carry out their duties in accordance with Islamic principles. This does not mean that if there is nobody like this, or there are people who cannot or do not want to work in the Islamic way, the clergy should keep aloof and merely watch them drag us where they want us to be. This is not the point. The point is that if there are politicians who can act the (Islamic) way the Muslim want, though in its one dimension; the worldly one, and adopt policies by which our independence and freedom are protected without being dragged towards the East or West, then, of course, they can carry out their work; there is no objection, and the `ulama' will step aside. When they (the clergy) see that there are such people (to run the government) they will busy themselves with their own work which also concerns politics, but of the spiritual kind. But when we notice that after taking over all the posts and power, they are not using these to take society towards freedom and independence, then we who are committed individuals and cannot be influenced either way, are obliged to intervene and exercise supervision over the affairs. You, we, and the coming generations must keep our eyes and ears open so that the satans do not return and begin to inject repeatedly into our minds that the `ulama' have nothing to do with politics and the country's affairs. This is a diabolical plot that they are now busy implementing. They are also indulging in propaganda. Therefore, it is essential; in fact. It is the duty of you Friday congregational prayer leaders, and all the other Friday congregational prayer leaders in all the Islamic realms and countries to awaken the people and make them understand that they should pay no heed to this tune that is being heard in all the Islamic countries to the effect that the `ulama' should not take part in politics. This is a super power conspiracy that is being carried out by these ones who are inside the countries. They must tell this to the people so that they understand that this tune being played is to drive the `ulama' out of politics and bring about the same situation that was our lot in the past. So, we must be vigilant and give our attention to this matter. The coming generations, too, must be heedful about it so that they do not lose their way; this one which the Muslims, themselves, have found.

Another matter following these issues is that the clergy- wherever they are- whether the leaders of the Friday prayers or the congregational prayers, and also that are connected with the clerical profession, must realize that Islam has now been entrusted to our people and to you who are the guides and lead the others. Today, all of us are the Pasdars of Islam. The whole nation, including the government, the military and security forces, all the armed forces, all the bazaar merchants, all the offices and everybody elso, without exception, are responsible to God, the Blessed and Exalted, for that which has been placed in their trust. It is Islam that has been entrusted to us and is in our hands. Betraying it is a sin which nobody knows whether it will be forgiven. It differs from other sins, even the other cardinal sins. The reason is that there are many sins that concern the person himself; not the society. Betraying this trust however, is betraying Islam and the Muslim nations. Bear this point in mind that if the persons in all these organizations- whether those that have spontaneously emerged by the people themselves setting them up, or the ones established by the authorities, for instance- that have come into existence since the revolution, take a single step against Islam and the interests of the Muslims, they will be held responsible. The responsibility is greater than that which concerns one's own affairs; one's personal affairs.

The gentlemen should be careful of the satans present in the organs such as the Islamic guards, the army, the committees, the courts and all such places that have emerged under particular names after the revolution. The satans are not there for the well-being of these organs. Some individuals have infiltrated them and are, thereby, doing certain things in order to either create animosity between the clergy, the pasdars and others, or isolate them. I, nowadays, receive perhaps more than a hundred to sometimes two or three hundred letters daily, though I am nobody. Complaints are made in these letters against all of these organs. I do not wish to say that all these complaints are valid. There are many that are irrelevant. But the fact that there is a plot to fabricate complaints must be borne in mind. It begins with the taxi and bus drivers, the drivers of other vehicles and wherever a group of people have gathered. Among them are individuals who have been assigned the task of creating and spreading rumors. It is said that as soon as one gets into a taxi somebody begins to say something about some clergyman for instance or the `ulama', or about some committee or the consultative Majlis and so on. Now those are occupied in jobs in various quarters, such as the courts that are busy in passing judgments and attending to judicial matters, or the bodies appointed to distribute, for instance, lands that have legal sanction, or the"" (Crusade for Reconstruction) or any other" Jihad," as well as other (official) bodies, have been infiltrated by individuals who are up to no good. And the groups connected to these individuals intensify and magnify the rumors. And you, at sometime, will open your eyes when all the governmental and Islamic organs, including the Majlis, the courts and others everywhere, become mentally agitated because of the propaganda. That is, their aim is to create confusion in the Islamic Republic which consists of the government, the Majlis and the other organs. In this manner, they want to make the world think that this is the same Shahanshahi (monarchical) regime; it is just the same, and all its institutions as well. They come and say that they (the authorities) confiscate the lands and orchards of the people, and that nobody anywhere intervenes in this matter. They say that these (investigating) teams of seven people have been told- and the government has also notified them- not to interfere in matters when it is not legal to do so. But they do interfere and do not care about these issues at all. They say that people's properties are improperly confiscated without there being any legal basis from the aspect of religion. You must pay attention to this.

I request the Friday prayer leaders and the `ulama' of all the regions to cooperate and appoint groups to look into these matters; to look into the actions of the people who want create confusion; to look into the condition of the courts and the rulings given therein. It could so happen that people with no knowledge of judicial matters sneak into the judicial apparatus. There are certain requirements to be met in order to be a judge who must be appointed by the high-ranking `ulama'. It is not that anybody can go anywhere and taking on the duties of a judge, pass judgment; even issue the death sentence and whatever. You gentlemen who are present in the various towns and cities, ought to investigate these individuals from the deviationist groups who have got into these organs connected to the judiciary, land distribution, Jihad-e Sazandegi; all of them. You must appoint committed, well informed and impartial individuals to go and look into these issues and submit reports to you, so that you may take corrective measures. Just sitting here and allowing anything to happen anywhere, and letting anybody do anything wants; will only bring disaster later on. You must accomplish this task by yourselves. The point is that they want to shift the responsibility of all those corrupt practices to the clergy and the Islamic government, and so make them, the Majlis and all these organs fall out of public favor and render them abhorrent. Therefore, you must be vigilant. You must stop these things from happening. I am an old man. I cannot undertake these tasks. You gentlemen are young. You too must pay attention to these issues. You should form groups everywhere in the country. The groups should go and investigate these matters. If things are going against religious laws, you must stop them. In case any offenses are being committed and if persons not up to the task are working in the courts and other places- the Jihad-e Sazandegi, the team of seven people, etc- we do not want them. We don't want a chaotic country or one where the aim of the communists or the foreigners is realized. You must take action in these matters before losing the opportunity of doing so, and before these traitors, who want to take the country back to its previous state, avail themselves of the opportunity and succeed in their designs. You must appoint competent, well informed and impartial persons to visit these places where such things are being done and address the people's grievances. Open an office to receive the complaints and pursue them. See where the complainant has come from and whether his complaint is valid or not. Who advised him (to complain)? These matters must be followed up. The people should be made to understand that such plots are afoot; that they (the enemies) want to obstruct matters. The individuals who are really creating obstacles ought to be made known to the groups appointed by the gentlemen (the clergy) so that they determine as to what should be done about them.

If we sit by while many things, God forbid, are now being done contrary to religious law in our country, it means that we, with our own hands, have turned this Islamic Republic into a non-Islamic one. We want to have an Islamic Republic. In other words we want the laws to be Islamic, not that there be complaints wherever we look about offenses being committed, or about so-and-so judge issuing a wrong verdict. We do not want complaints being made to the effect that so-and-so, for instance, who is responsible for land distribution, is distributing people's lands and orchards, or cutting down the trees. These matters must be looked into. Are you sitting by until the people raise an outcry and say that this government, this Majlis these courts and commissions and all such things are not Islamic, and so rise against you? And for me to agree with them when such a time comes?!

May you be successful, God willing. May your congregations increase in number and grandeur. These congregations are very good and impressive. This is a great blessing of the Islamic Republic in that it has brought together all of us and all the Shi`ah and Sunni brothers in one place, with all of us desiring to make efforts for Islam. We should all be careful lest propaganda be made, and which has been made almost throughout history; propaganda that divided us and divided our brothers from one another. They divided the Sunnis from us, and the Shi`ahs from them. We must be attentive to this matter. We must be like brothers. We should not allow others to come and take away everything of ours leaving us quarreling over the matter; over something that we do not have to quarrel. In any case, these Friday congregations ought to be greater and larger in number. More of the people should attend them. They must attach importance to the Friday prayers. The preachers, too, should awaken the people through their sermons. They must invite the people to do good deeds. They must inform the people that these conspiracies that are now being hatched from every quarter are aimed at erasing Islam. They must awaken the people so that they meet with success, God willing, and our nation, that is now watchful and attentive, reaches the stage where all the Islamic laws are implemented in this country, turning it into a model for all the other countries to follow. It was a good thing that this meeting was arranged by the gentlemen. The Sunni and Shi`ah brothers gathered together and discussed the issues. I am thankful to them all. May they assemble again by the will of God and look into the condition of the people. You must look into the problems of the people. Make yourselves aware of the conspiracies and thwart them. Awaken the people. I hope that such gatherings are also convened in other Muslim lands. You, yourselves, must solve the people's difficulties. May God grant you long life, and bestow honor and greatness on you. And may He deliver our people and the Islamic nations from the yoke of the satanic powers.

May God's peace and mercy be upon you.