Speech [Safeguarding Islamic and humanitarian dignity]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

One of the blessings of this Revolution and movement is that we meet the gentle personalities and figures closely. Previously, such get together with participation of the top officials and religious scholars never occurred.

At the dawn of Islam, the Friday prayers and the mosques occupied a certain status yet it was gradually washed out. Among the Muslims, a certain group never established Friday prayers while other group who would also maintained Friday prayers, their prayers was almost devoid of contents and real message. Issues were confined to a few words of admonitions and ended with some pieces of advice. At the dawn of Islam, the mosque and the Friday prayer was a tool in the hands of those who wanted to be involved actively in the affairs of the country. If you take notice of the sermons delivered at that time in Friday prayers, you would come to know how the Friday prayers were then performed and what kind of issues were discussed. It was not held in such manner at dawn of Islam but on contrary, the important issues used to originate from the mosque, and decisions were outlined there. Unfortunately, treacherous hands from the beginning gradually destroyed the Friday prayer as it became devoid of any real contents.

Even the seminaries were held reflecting a single dimension. They would keep on working hard and studying and so forth. They became addicted of teaching Islamic sciences and were mostly confined to subjects related to jurisprudence, consequently, a few of subjects became the focus of all the minds, and it turned into a matter of routine. At present, if you are examining that on the subject of giving judgment, we all including our nation as well others who are facing with big problems of regarding with law refers to former times because it was not at all taught to the religious personalities. Absence of debate on judgment would lead to be very little discussion regarding this subject. Now we have great religious scholars who have no knowledge of judgment. Their knowledge in other areas is also excellent and they are familiar with the fundamentals very well. They know jurisprudence and regarding topics they know very well yet they need to refer and concentrate on the subject of judgment, and seminaries are facing deficiencies in this subject.

The involvement of religious personalities in political and state affairs was regarded as deficiency. Some individuals still make objection that what such clerics have to do with what is happening in Iran. They should say their prayers, go home, and recite supplications. This was an imposed plot against all of us aimed at spreading such belief that the cleric had no need to know regarding occurrences and the affairs of Muslims. The affairs of the Muslims at the dawn of Islam were dealt through theologians of Islam and the honorable Prophet was also the greatest theologian of Islam; likewise were the loftiest personality of Islam, Hadrat `Ali, may God's peace be upon him. In that era and later, things changed so that a cleric, a theologian, a jurisprudent could not have their views in politics and could not intervene on an issue. They would say that it was none of our business and we should sit where we were! Why should we be concerned with such type of things.

Recently, there was a story narrating that one of the gentlemen (God willing, may his soul rest in peace), who was almost a theologian and an upright person, had come to this belief and it was not easy for him to change his belief regarding an incident that occurred in Qum in the course of this Revolution. In those times there was debate about what the government should do- now I do not recall exactly the concerning issue; that person had given his remarks that it did not relate to us! The affairs of the Muslims and of Islam were none of our concern! Now also, suppose that Hijaz (Saudi Arabia), which was the center of Islam and was the center of mobilization of all the Islamic forces, has the same attitude and they say that it is none of our business to be concerned about what is happening! That it is none of our business what Israel is doing! This" none of our business" had become a slogan among all and resulted in what you are witnessing that the lands of the Muslims have become a victim to the plots and designs of America to come from the other side of the globe and have a control over all the affairs of the Muslims. Today, America has become the guardian of the affairs of the Muslims; it must interfere in all their affairs and it must govern the Islamic state; it must send troops and so forth. This was because we had deviated from the essence of Islam. Now whatever slogans we chant in Iran- Praise be to God- it is great that we are making progress but in other places, these cries do not reach anywhere.

Mr. Mousawi Khoeyniha «1» who had paid visit over there, was commenting that after some pressurizing it was decided that the Friday prayers' leaders should gather on one particular day and talk about Palestine and so forth. Firstly, we would like to ask them, who regard these things to be forbidden by religion and banned everything and all things that are not rites of pilgrimage or heresy must be eliminated. That punishments faced by our pilgrims, put into prisons and those insults borne by them were in order to not be taken the name of Israel in the course of the pilgrimage. Are these all of the rituals of the hajj pilgrimage! This is against the traditions of the Messenger of God. If it was so then why did you specify a day for it without substance. Only to utter a few words that" may God do such and such for the Muslims; that God remove evil" and that was the end.

I hope that these Friday prayers in Iran revive their true substance that they contained at the dawn of Islam. Definitely, it shall spread to other places. When the Muslims see that they were negligent of this correct belief, gradually, they shall do this job even if their governments oppose it. The main thing is that contemporarily, the responsibilities are too much, we should fulfill our responsibilities and our own tasks in such a manner that we may not be considered as guilty in the presence of the Blessed and Almighty God. We must clarify the situation in the Friday prayers, in the mosques, at the meetings of the Friday prayer and congregation leaders everywhere and all things is to be circulated on behalf of this platform of Friday and congregation prayer leaders to all over the world. Just as it happened at the dawn of Islam when the Friday Prayer leader and the mosque as two tools were in the hands of the Muslims and they would arm themselves in the mosque whenever they wanted to move toward the war or they would plan it in the mosque on every occasion they wanted to accomplish an important task. They would announce that the people should attend the Friday or congregation prayer so that they would go to recite their prayers as well as discussing political issues and implement them. They would send armies and did all these tasks there. I hope that this tradition returns and the thinking arises from error or perhaps deliberate certain thinking, which argues," The cleric has no business to get involved in politics" and that" the cleric has no right to intervene in the affairs of Muslims" has been changed.

Well the Prophet has recommended that we must strive for the affairs of the Muslims; striving for the affairs of Muslims is not only that we say how many `rak`ah' the mandatory daily prayers are and what are the implications for having doubts between so on and so forth. Is this striving for the affairs of Muslims? It is not attending to the affairs of Muslims to mention the religious tenets. The affairs of Muslims include the political and social affairs and the problems. One who does not attend to this is according to the narration not a Muslim" then he is not a Muslim". «2» I hope that at last we do not depart from this world and this narrative does not apply to us to be told that we were not Muslims because we did not attend to the affairs of Muslims. We must strive to have total control and supervise over the affairs of Muslims.

However, I do not say interference; this interference and indiscipline is not correct. They must be enlightened; they must be told. If the gentlemen see that such and such provincial governor or individual is heedless, they should refer to other centers until get a hearing. You can direct all affairs with supervision and explanation and the gentlemen are answerable. This means that I, a cleric who is seated in this corner cannot accomplish anything. You are responsible; you who are present there at the centers and congregations are responsible to attend to the affairs of the Muslims and to observe the centers that want to attend to the affairs of Muslims, their problems and to involve them in all matters. I hope that God willing, you are successful in this matter and that our mosques return to the status of the mosques during the initial advent. It should not be such that when a congregational or Friday prayer leader wants to discuss a subject pertaining to the affairs of Muslims in the mosque, he is ridiculed and taunted that" Why he has done such a thing!" it should not be dealt in this manner any more. That person should be taunted who does not get involved in the affairs of Muslims, moves aside and nonchalant and isolated. You see that neither the isolation nor moving aside, being reclusive, and unconcerned had no place at all in the Islam. This attitude existed among non-Muslim clans but it has infiltrated into the ranks of Muslims and has reached to the stage where he is spoken of being a very good person who is unconcerned and has nothing to do with what has happened to certain issue!" being neutral was by itself praiseworthy!

One of the gentlemen, the late Haj Aqa Husayn «3» - may God bless him- would narrate that apparently he was in Mashhad and was walking with a man when he reached a place where he was asked what this or that thing in front of them was! He had replied to him that he did not know what this that he was asking about was! To which he replied that he should listen. He listened and heard that the shopkeeper was telling his friend that what a nice person as he could not distinguish by mentioning between for example, an eggplant and yogurt! In those days, this was regarded as a good trait if a person brought the money and paid him was considered as polite person so that the person who is able to distinguish between everything to pretend that he also is unable to differentiate! This is one issue, which was one big great affliction that was spreading and praise to God who has rescued this nation from such disaster. We must be thankful to the Exalted and Blessed God until eternity for having brought about such a transformation in our attitude.

In those days our youth would be attracted towards centers of corruption but now from among the university students to the traders are joining the war fronts and they are serving Islam and bring victory and honor to Islam. This is not something that mankind can bring about because the hearts of the people are in the hands of the Blessed and Almighty God who sustains the children from the time they begin to talk until reach old age and accomplish the stage of uniformities. It is unprecedented and this is a card other than that of former times which has been transformed in almost all aspects. In those times, whatever available was for their corruption and all things were at the disposal of vice. Those persons who were not of the type to engage in vices had nothing to do with these things; the clerics would only sermonize and the normal cleric was who would recite a supplication and attend a mosque regularly. God willed to transform all of them into something different and guide the thoughts in a different manner and this has been accomplished by the grace of God. Today, we are all responsible and you men are all answerable for which we shall be questioned about tomorrow. We must prepare ourselves right now because we are responsible to attend to everywhere and to act upon the tenets and fundamentals of Islam and then present them to the people.

These widespread propaganda that has been launched now and which the foreign radio and television networks are telecasting- the foreign mass media which are all against us and are spreading huge lies that they discuss in detail and circulate these matters with details to all parts of the world. Well there is also a group in Iran that has the same facilities available. The gentlemen must by means of publicizing and enlightenment make the people understand through explaining what you have accomplished and it would be right if we complain about these achievements that have now been attained during this short period in comparison with the former era. Who destroyed the 2500- years old monarchy with all that ostentation and pride? This nation shattered it and caused a return to an Islamic republic. God willing, it shall move ahead in keeping with Islam. Is this feat not worth a small amount of decrease in our oil wealth? Is it not worth a shortage of such and such item? Is it not worth that such and such food item is in short supply or expensive? Is this not worth that we should not tolerate this and utter such expressions that nothing has taken place and everything is expensive and it has brought suffering through and through?

I know there are problems but is there any place existing where there is no problem? The inflation is far more in some places than here where there is no war. Those who have gone through revolutions are faced with problems; no revolution has occurred anywhere in which transformations have taken place within three years or rather one year and everything has fallen into place. It requires great sacrifices when you have done an enormous task. However, by the grace of God, the sacrifices made here are not as big. There is no scarcity in Iran now. On the basis of the trends in the world, after a revolution one of the main crises is widespread of scarcities and illnesses. Now these two things that are the requisites of a revolution, scarcity is a requisite of a revolution, praise be to God, it does not exist in Iran. There is price increase; yes, there is a price rise but we cannot now claim that nothing has been accomplished because of price rise in Iran. Has Iran undertaken a revolution for its belly that now their stomachs are not very full? Praise be to God, they shall be satiated. Now that our bellies are not in that fashion satiated or those vices, for example, are not available, we should now say that nothing has taken place? They had not revolted for their bellies; they did it for the sake of God.

We note in the history of the advent of Islam that those that endeavored for the sake of God had to face different difficulties; the Prophet himself was faced with what kind of problems, Hadrat `Ali was confronted with what type of problems. The Qur'an complains so much about a people who were not ready to go to battle; who were not ready to help. The Prophet himself was faced with so many obstacles in this regard; how often Hadrat `Ali would speak on this subject and would even at times curse those who were not ready to do anything. By the grace of God, here without the need to curse, the people are ready and are willing in the best possible way. This is something that God has done; a blessing that God has bestowed on us. The whole nation is ready in every way. We must nullify the negative propaganda; this means that it is the responsibility of these strata of the population of the clerics to go to the mosques and talk about the accomplishments. The people should see and the problems, which are the requisites of a revolution, should be told to the people so that the people are not instigated and create uncertainty and doubt.

For this reason, we have lost many worthy individuals and have met with severe losses. However, are these losses not worth it? Well, at the dawn of Islam, we lost His Holiness, the Doyen of the Martyrs, which was the biggest of all losses. The Doyen of the Martyrs knew what he was doing; he knew what journey he was undertaking and how it would turn out. Well, from the sermons he delivered while journeying and from the statements that he made, it is evident that this was the issue not that because they wanted to go there they would wait to see what would happen there. The circumstance was such that it had to occur; the sacrifice had to be made so that things would be set aright. Whatever we have today is the result of that sacrifice which was for the sake of Islam and has endured until now. We must safeguard this base and teach self-sacrifice to the people so that they must sacrifice. The issue is not only that we weep for the Doyen of the Martyrs- of course that too is great- but also we must take into account his self-sacrifices. We must state the true worth of all that he has accomplished and the oppressive regime that he brought down. He naturally negated their designs to draw people to faithlessness and the problems that Yazid wanted to create.

Now you, too, should do likewise. The problems that reached their climax during the reign of Muhammad-Rida and at the time of Rida Shah and the circumstances that was created, by the grace of God, were abolished by the people; the nation has nullified and has destroyed them. Now I think you will not see a single shop in the whole of Iran that openly sells a forbidden item. In those times, in every street the people who were residing in Tehran would go and see how much of these corrupting influences were available. Further up, between Tehran and Shemiran, one could see what was happening; those centers of vices and about the things that they talk! What things were happening at the beaches! Well, all these are over; a blessing that God bestowed upon us. These matters must be communicated to them that it doesn't not worth that now, for example; we do not have such and such a thing which we also did not have previously and later we had some of it but it is not available now. It is not worth that we now complain about these things that why this and that is not available.

It is evident that in a country where there was no judiciary, no religious judiciary as some of the former judges was communists and has stepped aside. Well, now when we do not have judges for this type of backwardness that we owned and we did not have a judge of such type that the sacred book has stated to offer, should we now allow things to remain as they are so that the communists come back and render justice. Alternatively, a devoted cleric, a priest to some extent even if he does not have the lofty conditions of justice yet devoted and righteous should go with the permission of the religious magistrate and do the job. Now should we do this or leave it? Should we say no and let the former judges and judiciary officials remain? After all the mind of a person tells him always the same thing that corruption must be forestalled and later on it reaches to the stage where God willing, a good judiciary is established and begins its activities.

In any case, we are now suffering from a lot of criticism both from outside and inside- outside with armaments and inside with both armaments and others. It is more difficult to answer unarmed rather than the armed. It is obvious that one must answer weapon with weapon, but these lesser ones that are injected ear to ear whereby this one tells that one and so forth, these make the task more difficult to handle. The gentlemen must attend to these issues in their sermons, in the mosques, on the pulpit and speak of the accomplishments of the Revolution to the people. Speak about, for example; on every Friday, they should inform them of a part of the accomplishments and inform the people of what all has occurred within the course of the fifty years that they were ruling and pillaging the country. Look at the villages; there was nothing substantial. Yes, except some place where His Highness wanted to pass through. This was how it was at that time. For example, he wanted to pass from such and such a place accompanied with some foreign dignitary; they would bring these hapless villagers to Tehran, dress them up and make them stand by the side of the road from where he was to pass.

Then, they would say that Iran has, by the grace of God, attained the status where all its peasants have such and such things. When you would move up a little further, you would see that that wretched soul was dying of hunger. He neither had a physician, nor pharmacy nor hospital, nor bread- he had nothing. Well, now we are witnessing that there was nothing and they are busy with building up. Well, they want to build from scratch; how can they build from scratch quickly? It has started from zero; it has started from the point of" willingness"; it has started from the many daily increasing immoralities. The destruction must be reconstructed. This place had everything; they took them away and departed. All our banks are bankrupt because of the withdrawals they made. Not bankrupt but their job has been retarded.

In any case, we must all awaken the people. Pay attention to them. By the grace of God, the people are talented. They sacrifice their youth and are proud of it. Well, it is also right that they must be honored because they are not sacrificing them for a human being but they are sacrificing them for the sake of God. They are from God; we all are from God and we must sacrifice ourselves for the sake of God. By the grace of God, the Friday prayers' leaders sometimes go to the frontlines and Mr. Ashrafi «4» despite his age goes there and talks to the people. Others also move toward there. I hope that you sustain the morale of the people so that they carry forward this Revolution to its destination and God willing, our Islam spread to all places. Of course, this has to be done gradually. This could not have happened at all and what has happened is a miracle. If, for example; we wanted these liquor shops, these centers of vice, and the likes of them to be obliterated, it could not have happened by ordinary means and would have taken years; but God willed that all the people should suddenly take notice and the issue was over. Now, we also hope that with the efforts of the gentlemen and the sermons that the gentlemen deliver, and the directions that they give, make the people awaken and become enlightened so that these problems do not appear significant to them- and in fact it is not so significant. The problems are not as many as afflicts face a revolutionary country. This also is because the people would not be very much getting involved in revolutions that occurred in those places and there was no divine will involved. Here, there was both divine will and involvement of the people. For this reason, the problems are less and if the government were supposed to do all the tasks, we would have retreated by now and would not be able to do anything. However, by the grace of God, it is very good now; there is welfare; everything is located in its place and of course, the welfare shall also improve. If this America had stayed a little longer here, it would have become like one of those countries where one cannot utter a single Islamic expression, where they are opposed to Islam. If you take notice of the speeches of some of their leaders, it becomes evident that they have nothing to do with Iran; Iran is not very important; they are opposed with its Islam. Likewise, some of our intellectuals and enlightened thinkers also are opposed only with its Islam. If you say" republic" everybody accepts; a republic is good except with the monarchists; if you say" Democratic Republic"; this is also accepted by everyone. So, what does" Islamic Republic" mean? The Islamic Republic is something new; it is heresy; it is something strange; something imported recently.

Therefore, we must be patient with these statements; enlighten the people so that they are not afraid of these words. By the grace of God, they are not afraid. They have witnessed all that has happened; it is not higher than for a human being to sacrifice his life; well, let it be sacrificed like all the Muslims that sacrificed their lives; we, too, should be among them.

May God endorse all of you; bless you with success and favor us with supplication and assist you with enlightening the people and help the people with being on the sight and the safeguarding of Islam by the will of God.

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