Message [Stating the situation of Iran and the revolution on the 4 th anniversary of the victory]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Thank God, three years has elapsed since the victory of the Islamic Revolution and we are on the threshold of the fourth anniversary. Based on the predictions made by the strata of people unfamiliar with Islam and the brave people of Iran, the Islamic Republic should have left behind over two years of its defeat! The sweet dreams the domestic opponents and their foreign supporters had and the promising illusions in which they were given golden places, crumbled one after the other with the unremitting efforts of the dignified people and prolific youth of Islam. These blind-hearted people, who are unaware of the help of God, who cannot understand divine promises, who consider the Islamic Revolution to be inferior to other revolutions and who look at this phenomenon from a material perspective, make erroneous calculations. They are unaware of the human values, the power of faith and the development emerging in the revolutionary people of Iran by the will of the Omnipotent God. They define values based on their material views as domination-seeking and oppressing the downtrodden people. The problems ensuing Iran's post-revolution period and the all-out plots of big and small powers impelled them to draw the conclusion that the Islamic Republic would inevitably be overthrown in a few months and the US and its domestic agents would take over. It was exactly this very same motive that instigated domestic splinter groups and the agents of foreign world-devourers such as Saddam to confront Islam and the Islamic Republic. In so doing, he has placed himself, his deceived supporters and uninformed army in a trap from which there is no escape except surrender or destruction. More unaware and dependent than Saddam is Jordan's Husayn, «1» who has not waken up from his feigned slumber after the experience sustained by his criminal brother «2» and has volunteered to fight Islam and the holy Qur'an. He has taken the lead in enlisting for this crime and treason against his nation and army. However, he is unaware that Jordan's people are Muslim and will never fight against Islam. He will not succeed in this engagement; his fate will be similar to that of the deposed Shah of Iran with his great satanic power and the support he received from big and small powers. Such will be the fate of Saddam by the will of God. They do not know what the uprising of an integrated nation of men and women, young and old mean. They do not know that a nation which has risen for God, helped His heavenly commands and saved the oppressed and deprived people will enjoy the assistance of the Omnipotent God. Inspired by my Islamic and human duty, I advise him not to be deceived by the promises of the great Satan and not to get entangled with the avenger army of God. Instead of leading this foolish un-Islamic movement, he had better equip his army for the liberation of Bayt al-Muqaddas, wherein lies his interest and those of the Arab and Islamic people. Foregoing this, playing with fire and confronting the power of Islam will bring about a painful consequence. The people and the government of Iran do not want any damage and loss to be inflicted on Islamic countries; rather they want to stand against the enemies of Islam, particularly Israel, the staunch enemy of Islam and Arabs; prevent the world-devouring plunderers from dominating Islamic countries, Muslims and oppressed people; and curtail the hands of plunderers and tyrants.
Now, the outset of the fourth anniversary of the victory of Islam in our dear country, it is necessary to make a few remarks however repetitive. The holy Qur'an says:" Certainly reminding is ion the interests of believers." «3»
1- The Most blessed and Exalted God's help for our Islamic country and every Islamic country is given on the condition that our country and countries help the true religion of Islam and its progressive commands, and also the oppressed and deprived people of the society. If we do not help the Truth, we should not expect God's assistance, so is implementation of Islamic justice in judicial and executive organizations across the country. Among the important issues is an expeditious investigation into cases of prisoners, particularly those whose crime is less serious than that of corrupt, apostate and rioting splinter groups. An investigation into the cases which have been postponed for certain reasons has a priority, as is the case of an investigation into judicial courts and that of the public prosecutor's office is of special priority. I hope that the executive organizations and offices treat the people in a way that would not need any investigation.
2- The strengthening and development of propagation activities, particularly outside of the country is the most important issue. In the past few years, our country has been almost deficient in this area. In the face of all propaganda apparatus of the world-devourers abroad, whom dear Islam has frightened, we are deficient in terms of correct propaganda. Our embassies have not done any positive action and the ministry of culture and Islamic guidance, irrespective of its recent efforts, has not been able to promote this important and vital issue. Our Islamic country is innocently subjected to attacks by mass media and lie-fabricating machinery. It is necessary that the government removes this defect as much as it can and makes serious efforts to convey the cry of the oppressed to the world by expanding radio networks so that nations can keep abreast of what has gone and is going on here, though him brief. Some groups should be dispatched abroad for enlightening and propagating on proper occasions, and conveying the cry of innocence of our nation and the crimes of tyrannical powerful ones to the nations and oppressed peoples of the world, and help them understand that the opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as it is quite manifest in their words and deeds, are primarily opposed to Islam. They oppose Islam wherever it is present.
3- After the revolution, the people of Iran faced problems and difficulties which are inevitable prerequisites of any revolution. They should know that this revolution is more fruitful and less damaging than all revolutions of the world because of its popular and Islamic nature. Our revolutionary people should know that for preserving Islam and the revolution, safeguarding its fruits and guarding the blood of the martyrs, it is necessary to display revolutionary patience and forbearance and ignore biased propaganda of the enemies of the revolution and Islam, who leave no stone unturned to demotivate and disappoint people about the revolution and the Islamic Republic. They should know that most of those who spread poisonous propaganda against the revolution are from among classes whose illegitimate benefits have been cut or those have been deprived of living in pleasure and debauchery. Firstly, the deprived classes who constitute the overwhelming majority, are loyal to Islam and the Islamic Republic. Of course, great goals generate great problems and difficulties as well. The deprived and suffering classes of the revolution did not undergo pain and agony, as did the dignified Prophet of Islam in the course of his life, particularly the 13 years prior to the Hijrat (migration). However, since their goal was great, they tolerated with a jovial face. The goal of our revolution is the same as that of the noble Prophet. With revolutionary patience and tolerance move forward to promote divine justice and spread our beloved Islam.
4- Among the noticeable shortcomings that we have suddenly faced after the revolution is the shortage of religious judges and Islamic preachers. Today thousands of judges and preachers need to be trained through the efforts of celebrated people, `ulama', teachers and scholars of seminaries across the country, particularly those in Qum, Mashhad and big provinces. From every part of the country requests are made to send judges and preachers. The need is increasing every day. Theological seminaries should spend time for this very important affair and make sustained efforts. Of course, in Qum, thanks to the efforts of respected learned people and teachers this process has already started, but since the volume of the work is great, it is necessary that seminaries increase their instruction efforts so that, God willing, this shortage be removed in the coming years.
5- One of the important affairs that has been heeded by celebrated men and `ulama' of Qum Theological Seminary, but in which no positive action has so far been taken, is the creation of order and discipline in seminaries. It is necessary that this process be launched from theological seminaries in Qum, which should take serious and fundamental measures. Of course, discipline is the most important religious duty for protecting seminaries against infiltration of devious elements with misleading ideas, ethics and actions. This is the responsibility of all, particularly the learned people, `ulama' and teachers. With the serious cooperation of all and the approval of distinguished maraji`(religious reference authorities), this idea can be put into action. At this time when theological seminaries and honorable clerics have a very effective role in the advancement of the goals of Islam and strengthening the Islamic Republic, there is no doubt that the powerful and power-seekers will not remain idle; rather they will attempt to weaken this dynamic power. This evil objective cannot be achieved except through the infiltration of corrupt elements in seminaries, who will pave the ground for the decay and collapse of this divine phenomenon from within and, God forbid, gradually divert the people in the long run. All of us know that if, God forbid, seminaries fail to train fuqaha (Muslim jurisprudents) and qualified `ulama' and preachers who are loved by people, and the seminaries are administered in chaos and without any correct program and Islamic and rational criteria, all should expect the disaster of the defeat of the Islamic Republic and the great Islam. If, today, through everyone's concerted efforts we fail to prevent the flow of corruption from its source, tomorrow will be late and it may reach a point of no return in the future. It is totally wrong to compare the present day seminaries with those of pre-revolution period when clerics, due to wrong propaganda, pressures and misunderstanding were not allowed to interfere in politics and the affairs of the country. Although a number of people who failed to understand the situation might have raised voice against this mentality because of grappling with satanic illusions and the thesis that" order lies in disorder", these people are in minority. A large group of thinking clerics who are attentive to issues of this nature are working out ways to resolve the dilemma. Finally, purging is necessary in all government, civil and military organizations, and it is even more in the seminaries and universities which enjoy special characteristics and are in unison with each other. With the purging of these two Islamic and national bases, entity of Islamic Republic will continue growing and progressing. With the deviation of these two, the revolution and the republic will deflect from its main course.
6- As the officials of the Islamic Republic and I have repeatedly announced, the nation and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran have resigned themselves to the sacred injunctions of the Qur'an and Islam. By the rule of the holy Qur'an, they consider themselves brothers in faith of all Islamic nations and different countries in terms of culture and geography, and seek peace and peaceful co-existence with all governments and nations. As long as no government transgresses the borders of our country and is committed to the commands of Islam, they consider them to be their brothers and call on all countries and nations to rise against aggressors, whoever they might be, taking up an integrated stand to rescue themselves from the clutches of world-devourers. Also, by the rule of Islam, they will defend themselves in the face of aggression against their rights and boundaries and punish the aggressor, in which case no power can, by the grace of God, the Most Blessed and Exalted, stop them from this sacred defense. I advise governments to abstain from any rancor and power struggle and shake the hands of brotherhood with the government and people of Iran so as to drive out usurper Israel from Islamic countries and the occupied lands, brush aside racism and linguistic supremacy which are condemned and rejected in Islam and embrace happiness in both worlds. No power can overpower.
7- Last year was a catasrophic year for the Iranian people, who lost great and committed civil and military personalities in Tehran, Tabriz, Shiraz and other parts of the country. «4» Although the enemies of Islam and the Islamic Republic imagined that they would defeat Islam and the Islamic Republic and enfeeble the morale of the people through such savage assassinations and that no one could supersede them in the administration and advancement of the affairs, everyone observed and the blind-hearted enemies realized that these calculations were wrong. These domestic and foreign calculators with all their claims had not understood the Islamic Revolution, which had emanated from the pure heart of a nation and was mingled with the soul of people and their faith and belief. It appeared that natural animalistic and satanic aspirations had closed their eyes and ears and blinded and deafened them from spirituality.
A nation in the heart of whose women and men love for martyrdom simmers and whose young and old outpace each other for achieving martyrdom and abstaining from animalistic and worldly passions and have come to believe in the unseen world and the Supreme Friend, will not leave the scene with these losses however big they might be. We all saw that each case of martyrdom generated noticeable growth for our brave nation in such a way that consecutive martyrdoms insured the Islamic Republic, making it immune from damage of the time. The martyrdom of each of our dear ones is a document disclosing the disgrace of unbelieving and hypocrite splinter groups and accelerated their inevitable defeat. Now, by the will of God, the Most Blessed and Exalted, the Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys power that is unprecedented. It is hoped that the powerful divine hand will back this, plundered and oppressed nation and support the armed and popular forces in the battle against the evildoers. May God's mercy be upon the martyrs in the path of truth in the course of history as of 15 Khordad up to the present time, and happiness and health be bestowed upon the disabled and injured of the war, the oppressed and the refugees and families of martyrs.
8- I humbly extend my gratitude and appreciation to the honorable and committed people of Iran and I thank God, the Most Blessed and Exalted, that at the present age which marks the rule of Satan over the earth, such an informed, brave and selfless nation in the cause of belief, faith and love for gaining proximity to God and struggling in the cause of God has granted this oppressed and plundered nation victory against the arrogant powers without relying on leftist and rightist powers, and helped them curtail the hands of the arrogant powers from our dear country and its resources, isolate the deviants and hypocrites and drive them out of the country. I desperately implore the Most Blessed and Exalted God to guide them in the right path and grant them resistance in the face of these (untoward) eventualities and inevitable problems following the revolution. The dear nation should know that resistance is of special importance that the Holy Prophet of Islam (s) had been quoted as saying:" Sourah Houd of the Qur'an made me old, where it says: Continue in the right way." «5» You and we, who have the honor of following the holy Prophet and claim to be his followers, should struggle to preserve the sacred religion, dear Islam and the Islamic Republic, removing the problems firmly and with open arms. May God be your friend and shelter, dear ones, and grant you revolutionary patience so as not to be impotent in confronting problems. May He grant you revolutionary insight so as not to be impressed by ungodly and arrogant powers that are heedless of Islam and the Islamic Revolution and not to follow the rumor-mongers opposed to the public interests of the revolution; and you must rise to confront them.
9- In the end, I congratulate the world Muslims and great people of Iran and the oppressed people across the world on the anniversary of glorious victory of Islamic Revolution. Congratulations to all for the victory of Islam and the forces of right over Satan. Congratulation to the people and particularly the armed military, disciplinary and popular forces on the victories at the fronts of defense of Islam and the Truth.
To show our appreciation of this great blessing and in honor of the Ten-Day Dawn ceremonies and the 22 Bahman, which marks the victory of the honorable people, I am asking Hujjat al-Islam Mousawi, «6» the esteemed Chief Justice of the country to send a circular to all public prosecutors and judges to investigate the cases for pardon, in addition to the list provided for amnesty as soon as possible, that is in no more than 2 months, and provide the list of prisoners who are liable for amnesty in accordance with religious law and send it to me. It is necessary that in providing this list the concerned officials not show strictness and make effort so that prisoners can join our dear people and traverse the path of the Islamic Revolution with them. It is appropriate to stress that no negligence should be shown in this affair. As I have noted earlier, public prosecutors and judicial courts are obliged to investigate the files, which have been delayed for any reason and give them priority. I beseech God, the Most Blessed and Exalted, to grant victory to Islam and Muslims. May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you!
Rouhullah a-Mousawi al-Khomeini