Speech [Tribute to Martyr Beheshti and the other Martyrs of the 7 th Tir Tragedy; Defining duties of the `ulama', officials and the people at the present juncture]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I both congratulate and condole the society of `ulama', the Iranian nation, all the world's Muslims and the world's oppressed people; condolences for the fact that since the 15 th of Khordad (June 5,1963) till now, we have lost many youth, men and women. This is a great tragedy «1» for Islam and for Muslims, especially the recent crime that saw the exposure of the hands of the US from the sleeves of these traitors, who have inflicted such a crime on the Muslims and against those who never thought of anything else except the interests of Muslims. These were very important figures,(who attained martyrdom) from among the MPs, from the government, from among the distinguished ministers, and from the judiciary, especially people like Mr. Beheshti, who were the target ever since the formation of the Islamic Republic. You have been witness to the fact that all these Islamic organs have been targeted. The Majlis was the target; the Experts Assembly was also the target when they saw that many of its members were the `ulama'. They targeted Islamic Consultative Assembly since the majority of its members were committed persons and there were many `ulama' among them. They targeted the judiciary when they saw it became active through the efforts of committed intellectuals. This trend is still continuing. We have lost many of our friends and those dedicated to Islam. But I congratulate the Iranian nation on the occasion. I congratulate the nation who brought up such children, offered them to the society and dedicated them to God Almighty. The nation is still standing firm without flinching. Many of our dear children are at the battlefronts for safeguarding the country and the Islamic Republic system. They are steadfast in their Defense of the Islamic country, and spare no effort in doing so. The brave Islamic Republic Army, the dear Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, the Basijis, the tribal people and all Iranians at large are standing steadfast in their resistance, without caring to think about issues going on behind or on the battlefronts. These issues cannot distract or dishearten them. They rather get more cohesive, united and powerful in order to ensure their goals are finally accomplished, and the tree of Islam bears its fruits.

Of course, a nation, that wants to resist and withstand all the powers and does not seek compromise with the West or the East, should follow the right path of humanity and Islam. The nation should get prepared to face all events. We should not assume that all the events and dangers are over. We have cut short the hands of all the superpowers from our wealth and resources and as a result they would not stand idle. We should be mindful and alert and trust in the infinite power of God Almighty. When our support is God's infinite power, our backbone is Islam and our goal is righteousness, why should we feel feeble at these calamities? We have found our ways; our nation has found its way; our nation is seriously and vigorously following its own path. Of course, there are many difficulties on the way but the righteous ones and those willing to follow the right path, should not think of any vulnerability; the nation should continue with its path vigorously and powerfully. People who consider martyrdom an honor, who are martyred on the battlefronts and whose last wills indicate they are very strong will not be exhausted. I am proud of the people who took to the streets over the past couple of years, made mosques their bastions, held congregations and mobilized the public without fearing any tanks and machineguns. Those days, all powers, all the satanic powers, were on the scene. Now that all those powers are gone and only some of their evil offshoots are left behind, which carry out secret, underground plans, there is no ground for fear.

Our nation is the one which works for its goal; our nation is steadfast to fulfill its religious duty; Islam is today a trust in our hand; that's a trust given by God's prophet to us; we have the duty to safeguard it and not betray it; we have all the duty to forward the trust to the future generations without it being damaged and hurt. Why should we be concerned? I mean we who abide by our duty should not be concerned, as our path is not other than the right. Those who think if they are killed or die in their belief, are annihilated but whom we believe will go to hell should be concerned. Why should we be concerned? If we are martyred, our spirit would get free of any compulsion in the world and ascend to the heavens besides God. Why should one be concerned? Is there any reason to be worried of death? Is martyrdom the source of concern? Our friends who have been martyred are besides God Almighty. Why should we miss them? Should we miss them because they have got rid of any restriction and transferred to a free world under God's mercy? Of course, we are unhappy because we used them for Islam; they were arms of Islam but our nation has a population of 35 million people. And these residues may- let's say- number around several hundred thousand people. Our nation comprises 35 million resolute people. Some the mothers whose children have been martyred come to me asking to pray for them. The mothers say they have some more children. There also old men coming to me. They say their children have been martyred. They weep and complain of not letting them to join the theater. Such a great nation has nothing to be worried about.

We are followers of men whom history relates as people eager about martyrdom. For instance, as Imam Husayn approached martyrdom on the day of `Ashoura, he would get more ablaze with enthusiasm. His young family members and relatives vied with one another to attain martyrdom. They knew they would attain martyrdom and they strove for martyrdom. They were eager because they knew where martyrdom would lead them to. They knew why they were born. They knew they had come to fulfill their divine duty of safeguarding Islam. Islam is dearer than everything. The Prophet of Islam and all his descendants and followers strove to safeguard Islam. Islam is a trust from God. Yes, it is a trust from God. The Prophet of Islam had the duty to protect this trust and he protected it since he was the repository of this trust until he passed away. He never showed a moment of laxity in fulfilling his duty. Our Imams were also like the Prophet. Hence all followers should follow this example.

We who claim to follow the Prophet and the Imams should act accordingly. Giving lip-service to be their followers is not sufficient. We should continue our way with power and resist the enemy strongly. The enemy is weak. The enemy has become weak. They do things that are done by people who are desperate and who cannot be on the scene. All should know that the enemies are no longer powerful. The Iranian nation should be strong and powerful. The nation is determined, solemnly following its goal. The nation presents Islam to the whole world. It is an honor for the Iranian nation that this mission starts from here. From Iran the divine call and the call of our noble prophet will reach out to the whole world. We are determined and regard it our duty to give our lives in the path of Islam. Now what should we do? What is our duty?

They fulfilled their duty and were martyred. God have mercy on all of them, God Willing. Now what should we do? What is our duty? What should we do in circumstances when the foreign powers are opposing us? Inside, you see the remnants of those who have crept into holes doing acts of sabotage. What is our duty? We have many things to do. You `ulama' and intellectuals all over Iran have many duties to do. Your responsibility is heavier. Your status and path reveal that you are representatives of the prophets. Your job and your clothes signify that your community represents Islam. The one who represents Islam has a big duty. Our duty is heavier. If we, God forbid, commit any blunder, others would attribute it to the Prophet and to Islam. You are defenders of Islam's honor. The `ulama' who are busy in the judiciary or are engaged in other duties have heavier duties. God forbid, if there were to be a wrong judgment, there would be the belief that they [`ulama'] are sabotaging.

You see, there has been originally something at work, trying to distance you from the people. There have been at least efforts not to let you be active in the executive, legislative or similar organs. This has been the case in the West with regard to the churches. They said the churches should go their own way and get engaged in the issues related to spiritual matters, letting others to run government affairs. They tried to follow suit in Iran. The Satans who studied issues related to different nations, had well understood that they would fail if the `ulama' came on the scene of politics. This was because the `ulama' had strong popular backing. What did they try to do? They tried generally to insinuate that the men of religion should have nothing to do with politics. They said the `ulama' have only the duty to wear their own religious costumes, go to say prayers at noon and then go up the pulpit to deliver sermons to the public with the subjects not being related to politics and sufferings of nations. They wanted the sermons to focus on what was then customary. Most parts of the Islamic jurisprudence have been actually neglected. Majority of the verses of Qur'an had been brushed aside. People used to read the Qur'an, kissed it and put it on the shelf. We had forgotten all the verses related to society, politics, war and the like. In fact, we had been forced to push them into oblivion.

The Imam who refused to get involved in politics was held in high esteem. Those who did not interfere in politics were honored. What a lovely Ayatollah was the one who performed the noon prayers and left the mosque for home straight afterwards. This mentality had been imposed on us. The Satans who wanted to isolate this community had inculcated the idea that those engaged in politics and speaking about people's problems are politicized. Once one was branded politicized, one had to be distanced from the society.

The Satans had imposed this idea on us. They had tried to prevent us from properly studying the life of Prophet Muhammad (s) and the life of the first Infallible Imam of his household, Imam `Ali (`a) lest we may understand how they behaved. Did not the Prophet of Islam play a role in politics? Can you dispense with the Prophet on the account that he was politicized? Didn't he engage in politics? He spent all his life in politics and established an Islamic government. Imam `Ali (`a) also established the Islamic government and sent governors to different areas. Weren't these acts political in nature? Are you trying to find faults with Imam `Ali (`a) ? Are you right that Akhunds should not be engaged in politics and that they should do their own job claim they follow Imam `Ali (`a)? Do not you believe in their engagement in politics? Do you think the Prophet had no government and simply sat in a mosque in a corner of Medina, speaking about religious issues? Was that the case? Do you think Imam `Ali (`a) simply sat in a corner of his house, wearing a cloak, going to the mosque to say prayer, sitting there and studying? Is that the case, or were they involved in politics since the very beginning?

While in Mecca, Prophet Muhamma(s) could not form any government. He was busy gathering a group of people, and was pursuing underground politics. Later, when everything was appropriate, he migrated to Medina, established the government and send people on political missions. Even when the Prophet was laying on his deathbed in the last hours of his life, the army of Osamah was outside the city, ready to go. The Prophet said:" Curse of God upon the one who disobeys. «2»" After the Prophet passed away there were attempts to violate the precedents set by him and they really did. Imam `Ali (`a) displayed feats of bravery and fought many a war in those times. They tried to talk us into accepting that one of his offences was wearing the military fatigue. They said this is something against justice. Wasn't Imam `Ali (`a) a just man? Wasn't Imam Husayn (`a) just? Were the acts of the Doyen of Martyrs offences? Were the acts of Imam `Ali (`a) offences?

They intended to reduce you, the clerics and us into useless individuals deprived of every positive aspect and heedless of what might happen to the nation, its resources and how they tyrants or Khans might treat the nation. They actually wanted some nonentities and held them in great respect. They advised us to sit and narrate religious matters, for which we were even respected. They would warmly greet us for all such things. However, we were not allowed to move a step further. Other areas were off-limits to us. We could only narrate religious issues, go to the mosque, and at most, organize mourning sermons. They had imposed this on us and we should try to rid ourselves of this burden.

The `ulama' should be on the scene. You should defy all the irrelevant words that tried to get you away from the social affairs you should leave all the words behind. Thanks God, you have set them behind. The `ulama' should not sit idle and get isolated, letting the US or the Soviet Union decide their fate.

They had marginalized us and our fate was decided in the US. The deposed and damned Shah confessed to the issue. He was such a fool that he brought about disgrace on his own father as well. He was so selfish that he let his father fall into disgrace. He disclosed that there were some people whose names were registered in embassies and recommended to serve in the parliament. He said such things to show that from that state of affairs the country was now approaching the threshold of the `great civilization'. He wanted to deceive the public; he wanted to say such things were common in the past, but that they are no longer the case. However, his condition was worse than ever over the past few years. Plans were in progress to prevent the `ulama', who could mobilize the nation, from interfering in politics. This group had the power to unite the nation given the opportunity, but were barred from getting involved in politics.

And later they used to say that getting involved in politics would damage the sanctity of men of letter. Was not there piety and sanctity at the time of the Prophet? Was not the Prophet's sanctity preserved? Was not the Commander of the Faithful Imam `Ali (`a) pious? Were not Imam Hasan and Master of the Martyrs pious? They wanted to close our eyes and ears. They do want to do the same now. Since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution in Iran attempts were made to brush aside the `ulama'. The trend is still in frozen. Once this attitude had become widespread, but it is now in decline, I hope it will vanish altogether.

You should open your eyes and ears; it is no longer like the old days. At that time the village chief was isolated from his surroundings. This mentality was present everywhere. Today, whatever I am saying now is aried in London and the U. S. at night. They quote me as saying such a thing; they even attribute lies to us. Recently they reported that whatever I had said about the incidents occurring inside the country had noting to do with the U. S., whereas it is the U.S that does the things; it is the U.S that supports them.

"You are all shepherds and are responsible «3»". You `ulama' deserve mostly to be like a shepherd. We are all responsible. If we are killed in groups, others should come and replace us. It is the question of Islam. We should all sacrifice our lives for Islam. The prophet also devoted himself to Islam. The Doyen of Martyrs also sacrificed his life for Islam. Islam is the biggest thing trusted to us by God. We should be determined to attain martyrdom in such a path. The `ulama' should be more devoted to the goal.

I knew from the outset that we have problems. The problems came to light right recently. Of course, I might have also neglected the problem. We have problems; we will have problems in the future.

Use mosques as your bastions to defend Islam. Since the early days of Islam, mosques were the sites wherein all sorts of social activities were conducted. They were places for setting differences among people. Mosque was the site for mobilization of Muslims. You should strongly defend the mosques. Never listen to those saying we do not need mosques any longer. We launched the revolution to build mosques. We launched the revolution for God. Our nation had launched the revolution and the nation wants everything to be accomplished in the Islamic Republic in accordance with Islam. The mosques are bastions for Islam. Mosque is the site for war. These are bastions for Islam. Protect the bastions. Do not be deluded by people who want to fool you by distracting you from your social activities, suggesting that there are others who would do these sorts of activities.

Presidential election is due very soon. What is your duty? What is the nation's duty? All of you, all the people, all men of letters wherever they are, invite people seriously to take part in the process. All should have a role in the process. If you are not present on the scene and a president of their choice comes to power as in the past and we are all fooled, we will be all responsible. If you leave the scene and others take over and appoint a president who might ruin the country, all of us will be responsible. The one living in a village with ten or 200 people or the one living in a city with two million, four million or five million people would all be equally responsible. We should invite the public not to be indifferent to the elections. All should go to ballot boxes and vote. Of course, informed individuals, I mean the `ulama' and others choose one or several candidates who are qualified. In so doing, you should note to whom we should cede the country's fate. If we have a president who is not the right kind of person everything would be ruined. We are suffering from their residues. You should not say there are others to vote. You should tell yourself, `I should also vote'. You too should vote. The villager, who works on his farms, should also vote. That's a duty. That's a divine duty. You should not say" there are others", and" I can do nothing." Never!

Every individual has the duty to defend Islam. Everybody should defend Islam. Now we are facing a number of problems in our country; we have the duty to defend Islam. Defending Islam means electing a president who is committed to Islam. You should be fully aware of his commitment to Islam lest we may have a corrupt president who would push us towards the U. S., and who would marginalize the clerics and Majlis. We are all duty bound to interfere in such affairs- in political affairs. We are all duty-bound by the religion, as was the prophet and Imam `Ali (`a). These days, on the eve of presidential elections, those serving in seminaries should stop working and go to cities, villages and remote areas and help others with the election. If they do not, they would be responsible before God. If they show dereliction, they would be accountable before God. They should invite the public to have a role in affairs; they should guide the public to vote to a right president; they should help bring ballot boxes to remote villages. If you do not do so, your enemies will do so and start propagating in those places. You are preachers of Islam.

Today preaching Islam aims to protect the religion. Preaching should be directed towards electing the president by yourselves. It is as much important as Islam is. If one who takes the helm turns out to be corrupt, God forbid, he would lead the country to corruption. If you had not opened your eyes and defused the plots, God knows we might get in the future? Our Army, IRGC, Basij, and tribal people, whom God may sanction, are defending Islam in the fronts and our nation should support them. Likewise, you are the army of God and are duty-bound to act according to your mission and invite people to secure the public interests of Islam. You should drive the public to fulfill religious duty. You should brief them on their religious duty. The problem is not simply choosing the MP or minister of your own liking. No, this is not the problem. The problem is ceding the affairs and the country to a person who would hurt Islam and destroy the Islamic Republic if he turns out to be corrupt. This is a vital issue for you, for Islam and for Muslims. It is not a trifling issue that you can neglect. It is not acceptable that a group may say" Since it is a political issue, we will not interfere", and" It has nothing to do with us." This is a political issue related to all, Islam and to protection of Islam. If we do not supervise, I mean, if the nation does not supervise the affairs of government and Majlis, if they go away, cede the affairs to these and get engaged in their own jobs, the country may go ruins. We should see to the affairs of the public. The nation should supervise the affairs running in the government. Supervision! Pay attention to this. The nation should note that if in Majlis this time- for instance- they voted to the one who does harm in government and in Majlis, they should not vote for him the next time. They should say `We are not going to elect this one in the hope that he may mend his ways."

As in the case of President, electing a president is one of the affairs incumbent upon Muslims in Iran and all those eligible people. If they do not interfere and a hurt comes to Islam, each one of us are accountable before the court of God's justice- each one of us. If one says:" that's none of my business", it is like saying that Islam is none of his business. Can you say that Islam has nothing to do with you? You have the duty to defend the faith. That's a trust from God and its protection today is that its president be a right president. And then, perhaps those being aware of affairs, say, you might also know many of them.

A Majlis [should] be good. And if some of your representatives, commit an offense, you should advise them no to do wrong. If they persist with the offence, do not choose them next time; choose another one. And now, I am telling this to all parliament deputies that if they want to move in the opposite direction of the nation and if you want to be maverick and do not differentiate your duty from those who opposed Islam, who killed our youths that way and killed our good individuals this way, in the next term you will beg to remain if this term no objection is raised.

That's the duty of you gentlemen at the present juncture. Of course, the big duty is that wherever you are and whatever job you have, you should be serious not to do even something wrong. They plan to remove you from the scene. Removing away from the scene means, if they notice any shortcoming in you, they would magnify it publicly in order to make the people disenchanted with you. Plans were underway to get people away from you, motivating people to insult you. What had Mr. Beheshti, a Muslim, a committed person and a Mujtahid, done that if one sat in a taxi, one would hear two persons coming across each other, one part of their talk was insulting him? In gatherings a certain group would shout" death to that person, crying that `You killed Taliqani. You see, what an injustice it was to such an active individual who was like a nation for our nation. How did they want to remove him through such stratagems. Well, he is now gone; but they should know that their problems would not be solved by elimination of this or that. People know more as to what you had been and what you wanted to do.

It is the duty of the gentlemen to be on the scene for all Islamic issues coming up, whether you want to choose an MP or- let me say president. There is no excuse to withdraw. Of course, there are people who want to dissuade you from entering into politics through their words and writings. They want to choose the people who would entangle us in problems. You should be well aware of the issue and seriously attach importance to the issue in the interests of the public. And it is the duty of the nation to remain on the scene as it has so far done no matter what may come about.

Sometimes, when I see the people, their congregation and commitment, I feel ashamed. If he is the Pasdar who says night prayers his bunker and exposes his life to threat; or the soldier who sees his life in danger on battlefronts, still performing his night prayers and writing his will, what can I say? The duty of the nation is to help those engaged in protection of Islam, such as the army, and IRGC and all the armed forces who are active on battlefronts, in that hot weather and those unfavorable things. People should extend their support and declare their backing to these forces and boost their morale.

As in the case of president, all have the duty to take part. I am fulfilling my duty. All are responsible ranging from me, and theology student sitting here to your prominent `ulama' and all villages and everywhere. All are responsible to take part in this vital affair and not remain indifferent. There are now elements that are busy talking you and the nation out of entering the scene. You have to do. You have no option. It is the question of Islam and defending Islam! They should open their eyes not to fall into the trap! The U.S has now stretched its trap all over Iran; they should not fall into the trap! They should not be deceived by the publicity of the groups who are propagating. They should not be misled by these; they should see what the right, sound, committed and wise individuals say! If that one says," I am a farmer, it's none of my business", if you and I say the same and if they want to kill Imam Husayn, can you say such a thing? Can you say, `I am a farmer; I am an employee; I am in offices or some other places; that's none of my business. If they want to remove Qur'an How can you say such a thing? This is a prelude to remove the issues.

The big powers have today felt they have received slap from Islam. They are more aware than us what a blow Islam has dealt them. They want to set Islam aside. How? Through different tricks. One is to force you not to enter and make mischief themselves and assign a person. When that one is assigned, he would take us towards the US, even by next ten years. All should be careful of the issues. Political issues are related to all. All are responsible. All should observe; all should care what the nation does and guide all. Everybody should enter the scene actively, in close and active ranks. Do not be the least pessimistic.

God is with you. If others have machineguns and if, I do not know, what they have, if they have Phantom warplanes and the like, you have God. You destroyed all these, because you trusted God. God is your backbone. What did the nation have then? It had nothing at hand. They thought out making something that was not comparable to what they had. But God injected fear into their hearts so as not to use those fatal instruments against us. It was the work of God to instill fear in them, God terrified all and strengthened your spirit so that you would not fear martyrdom and regarded martyrdom a big salvation. These are all from God. Foregoing this, this was the same nation that when a cop came to Tehran bazaar and gave an order, the entire people in the bazaar would surrender to him. Such was the situation once. Who transformed the people afraid of a cop into ones that took to the streets and chanted `Death to the Shah? ' Who gave you this spirit? Could anybody other than God put the entire part of the country under a single banner? Who could do so save God? What can frighten you when there is God? Nothing. Now, the one among people lying in the hospital invites the pubic to resist and to help the army men. This is the nation, whose children, women, the young and old are on the stage and want to interfere. This is the right thing to do. They should get involved in affairs. If they see I am going astray, they should notify me. If they see someone or the government going astray, they should say: do not go the wrong way.

If you men of letters, who are the actual target, are removed from the scene, they have brushed aside Islam. Medicine without a physician can not work: it stands in need of a physician and specialist. Islam minus `ulama' is like medicine minus physicians. It was this class that brought Islam up to here. You are now responsible to hand it over to the posterity, God willing.

I am confident that as long as this nation trusts God, no power will be able to harm it. They may kill individuals, and might even kill me one day. No problem, but the nation will be steadfast in its path. They are making a terrible mistake to believe if they kill some individuals and some MPs, Majlis will come to an end. Other MPs will fill in their places since the nation is not dependent on a particular person. In it is a divine power reflected on this nation, not individuals. The nation is on the scene shoulder-to-shoulder and if a person is martyred another one will take his place. May God guide you and us to the straight path and provide us with the blessing to gain proximity to Him.

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