Speech [Efforts for the establishment of an Islamic rule]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I felicitate all the Muslims, the noble Iranian nation, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic, the brave tribals of the country and particularly those present here from the Kohkilouyeh and Bouyer-Ahmad province, the Navy personnel and the other gentlemen who have come here from Hormuzgan and from the three islands on this auspicious day! This is the day on which `Ali ibn Abi Talib (`a) who was the doorway and the trustee of divine inspiration was born. And this is the day on which the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Noble Messenger (s) found a great exegete, and divine inspiration and Islam were given a powerful supporter and we could say that the doorway to Divine Inspiration and its exegesis and its continuity all came to be realized through the sacred being of this great master. I congratulate you gentlemen and the entire nation on this day, which is the Day of Bi`that [Commencement of the Prophetic Mission], the Day of Wilayah [Guardianship], the Day of Nubuwwah [Prophethood], and the Day of Imamah [Imamate]!

The need is for us to pursue the course of Islamic teachings. Our country managed to establish this Islamic Republic in the name of Islam and in the name of the Holy Qur'an and with the call of" God is the Greatest". Our main efforts, throughout the country, should be to establish and implement Islam. If we succeed in truly establishing Islam in this country and if our armed forces- the Navy, the Air Force, the army, the revolutionary guards- as well as the other strata of the nation all stay committed to Islam and pursue the path of the Imam (`a) whose day we celebrate today, we would not need to fear anything. Man fears death because he thinks that it is the end of his life. Only those who believe that physical death is the end of everything or those who are wary of the torment that awaits them (in the hereafter) fear death. But if we depart from this world with soundness of faith, whether at the warfronts which are the grounds of martyrdom, or whether in service behind the warfronts which are also the grounds of battle and martyrdom, once we have tasted the honor of martyrdom, we would no longer be concerned about our worldly gains which are anyway" illusory" or our worldly losses which are again" illusory". If at that point of our journey we emerge victorious, both our life as well as our death will bring us victory. Our efforts should be to emerge victorious from that battlefield in which the war is between God and Shaytan (Satan) or the battle is between the carnal soul of man and his pure spirit. If you can gain that victory, do not be fearful of any defeat because that is not really a defeat. When `Ali (`a) heard about his future martyrdom through the Noble Messenger (s), his main concern was if he would die with soundness of faith or otherwise! His question to the Prophet (s), thus, was:" Will I hold soundness of faith at the moment of my martyrdom?" The Prophet (s) answered him in the affirmative. «1» The main focus of attention of all the saints of God is on soundness of faith and heart. Even when `Ali ibn Husayn heard about his forthcoming martyrdom through his father, his question to him was:" Are we not with the truth?" The reply he got was:" Sure, we are with the truth." As soon as he heard that, he said:" Then we have nothing else to fear because we are not fearful of death!"

My dear brothers! Strive to traverse the path of Islam- as has been decreed by God Almighty- wherever you are, in whatever job you hold, and with whatever your beliefs are, because it is only through this path that you can be victorious! Today, you must open your eyes and see who and what groups you are dealing with. You are dealing with the munafiqin who make hypocritical claims to Islam, after which, much against all human and Islamic laws, they bombard the captives of the Democrats and martyr them in the most gruesome manner. «2» All these (crimes) prove that they are facing defeat and are detested by the people of the world and in order to save face, they have committed futile acts of brutality and insanity, and have martyred or wounded nearly two hundred of our beloved youth who were in their captivity. This is the kind of situation we are facing and these are the kinds of criminals we are dealing with. These criminals are inspired by the great criminals of the world and they even treat their own people in such a manner. However, you brothers should have your attention focused upon treading the path of Islam and should stay away from indulgence in unlawful acts. And wherever you are, in the garrisons or in any other organization, stay away from un-Islamic acts. As per the information I have received, you are dealing with people from whose captured trenches, alcoholic drinks and other instruments of revelry have been recovered. As the soldiers of Islam, the army of Islam, and the guards of Islam, you should bear in mind that there has to be a difference between you and the guardians of kufr [unbelief] and nifaq [hypocrisy]. Your homes should be like your mosques and places of worship. You are in the service of God. Your trenches are your places of worship because you are following the cause of Islam and are the followers of the Imam of the Muslims, `Ali ibn Abi Talib (`a). I am thankful to all the armed forces, including the navy- many of whose personnel are present here today- the Air Force, the Army, the Revolutionary Guards, the brave ethnics, personnel of the Jihad for Reconstruction, and the national forces that have emerged from among the people. God Almighty is your support! You should unite together, and with cooperation and teamwork and keeping in mind the principles of discipline and hierarchy, you should unite together to fight the kuffar. And, God willing, victory is yours and God will ensure that you emerge victorious both in the internal battle which is against your own ego as well as the external battle which is against the forces of kufr and nifaq. I pray to God to grant all of you with good health and prosperity!

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