Speech [Barriers impeding establishment of Islamic government by Immaculate Imams (`a)]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Reciprocally, I extend my congratulation to the gentlemen, the great Iranian nation, Muslims of the world and oppressed peoples of the world over on this auspicious feast. I beseech the Almighty God to send down His blessings over Muslims on the occasion of this auspicious feast, to awaken the Muslims and to curtail the hands of tyrants from Muslim countries. On many occasions, I regret two matters, one of which is more serious than the other. One is that from the early days of Islam the opponents did not let the desired Islamic government find expression. In the time of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his progeny) there were so many afflictions, battles and oppositions withholding the government desired by the Prophet to find reality. In time of other Imams (`a), even in the time of the Commander of the Faithful (Imam `Ali) domestic wars and munafiqin who are worse than infidels and who did not allow the government to take shape as desired. If they had given respite, even for a short period of time, the government to be materialized, the model they showed to the world would be a great lesson for man to the end. We should regret for having been deprived of such a big blessing.

The second matter that was again prohibited and our Imams (`a) could not present the truth the way they wished. This also triggers great regret. Regret over this is more serious than the former. What kind of knowledge was it when the holy Prophet (s) confided in the Commander of the Faithful in his last tether? The Commander of the Faithful (`a) has been quoted as saying," Thousand doors of knowledge were open to me." This knowledge is not the ordinary knowledge acquired by fuqaha, philosophers, mystics and us. What knowledge has it been that the Commander of the Faithful says," I have genuine knowledge"? He has not been simply the bearer of knowledge.

It has not been the discipline of fiqh. The science of fiqh was taught later. It was not also that philosophy and other sciences that we have acquired. What is regrettable is that they were not given respite. At that time there was not the bearer they wanted. That science ascended to heaven along with them. We should regret to the end of the world for not taking any share of it. He was beyond the formal sciences acquired by man and Muslims, who are simply bearers of knowledge. Those who were not merely a bearer were the immaculate Imams and we should only regret that they did not find anyone to teach that knowledge. They did not find the opportunity to interpret the Qur'an that is the repository of all sciences, not being given the respite to explain the disciplines abounding in the Qur'an. These are the regrets that we have to take with us to the grave. Qur'an is now in veil; it is runic. Some verses of the Qur'an are not what we construe although philosophers, gnostics, and others have enunciated partially." Verily, one to whom the Qur'an has been revealed will understand it." «1» If it meant common concepts, people would understand the common meanings. However, we should regret to the end. Imam Rida (`a) was taken there to Khorasan province and with those ruses. They wanted to take refuge behind the Imam. It was clear from the beginning that they did not want to fulfill their promise, not allowing the Imams (`a) to administer a government, nor given the respite to impart their knowledge. Imam Sadiq (`a) had the opportunity to expand the discipline of fiqh and some other non-fiqh matters. However, he was not permitted to teach the canon and other crucial disciplines. We should only regret over the fact that we have been deprived of access to the essence of the Qur'an. The exegeses provided of the Qur'an as of the beginning up to the present time are not interpretations of the Qur'an. They are translations some of which smack of the Qur'an. Foregoing this, they are not interpretation. Anyhow," We are from God and to Him shall we return." When the Commander of the Faithful was martyred, the just divinely government was not materialized so that we could understand what we should do.

Now that God, the Blessed and Almighty, has favored this nation and made it successful, you see what treatment they are meting out against this government. The opponents do not give respite so that the administrators would present Islam. Any corruption and whatever happens in the world, Iranians and the Iranian government is accused of being involved. It is poisonous propaganda. If something happens in the Red Sea or in Suez Canal, Iranians have done it! Of course, if these evil propaganda ploys are concocted, they have good aspects as well. The world will understand that something has happened in Iran. Day and night they carry out propaganda operations against Iran and Islam. If they pound Islam and Iran, they are not so much concerned with Iran; they are concerned with Islam. They know that if that which Iran wants finds reality, their hands will be curtailed from their interests everywhere.

You see that despite all the troubles and hardships befalling the Iranians and the world is unanimously against Islam, we have friends not exceeding the fingers of our hands. Meanwhile, see that manifestation of Islam has been extended to the Kremlin Palace and the White House, Latin America, Africa, Egypt, compelling them to consider Islam. We know that they do not believe in Islam. In fact they are opposed to it, but the reflection manifested from Iran outside of the country has made those who do not believe in Islam admit that Islam should be practiced. This blessing is a manifestation reflected from Iran. This does not mean that they have converted to Islam. Even Saddam performs prayer, however wrong. All have become pious and Muslim. This is important and not something pretend to trifling it should give us the good tiding that God willing this divine light is promoting. God's assistance will follow if you help God. You people of Iran want to help God Who has promised to help His servants. We should primarily help Islam and God. We should think of working for God and help His religion. If we did so, God's promise finds expression without trouble, being ensued by His assistance. Well! In this immense tumult, the world is against us. What duty? That is why I always reiterate that the gentlemen everywhere the `ulama' in different cities and Friday and congregational prayer leaders, the Majlis deputies and government administrators should join hands so that they can together carry this burden to its destination. If you have mild complaints against each other, it is not good to seek revenge. It is apt to notify, but it is not good to fuss over trifles. We should think of Islam. If we think of our interests, and ourselves, we should also think of Islam, which can secure our interests. If we are people of religion, we should protect Islam with tooth and nail and if we are people of the world, our world depends on Islam.

God forbid, if today we do any harm to the Islamic Republic, you do not know what they will do to us. You know God willing. You should know. You should feel the threat to the Islamic Republic. We all should feel the threat. We are amid the way. We have not so far been able to consummate our efforts. To the extent we have done, attention of nations have been engaged towards us. Nations have been awakened and will become more enlightened. We should be attentive to adopt approaches to deal with each other in a healthy atmosphere. If there are difficulties, treat each other like the theology students handling their disputes. They are friends with each other. The gentlemen might dispute over a subject and wrangle with each other, but when the brawl is over they sit and drink tea and are friends. You do not have ground for enmity. You have one purpose: reaching what Islam has instructed. I hope you will. When destination is one and that is Islam, you should think if a word is said that damages the prestige of the Islamic Republic, you should withhold yourself. While you should engage in disputes everywhere, you should handle it as theology students do. In the classes run by prominent `ulama' such as Mirza Shirazi, I have been quoted that classes lasted for five hours and all noises of wrangles were heard. There was no enmity, but brawl. Once there is enmity and one party struggles to knock the other out. This type of treatment is not the path of Islam, nor can it be said one seeks Islamic purpose. Parties maybe engaged in dispute, talking and highlighting defects. This is necessary. Deficiencies should be identified and removed. By and large, we should evaluate everything. We should confront today's situation of the world and handle the difficulties in the world and in our country. We should consider all questions, find the pros and cons, and then act by profound thinking and reflection.

Another subject of importance I would like to touch on is that armed forces should not be involved in political disputes. The controversies erupting between government officials or between Majlis deputies are reflected in society through the radio. Such discussions were not aired by the radio. Parliament deliberations were made behind closed door. This way of dealing with the Majlis fracas did not bring much harm. However, today we are supposed to keep people abrEast of the events through the radio. Therefore, if a difference emerges in Majlis, it will be reflected among the nation. It is good to keep people informed of the situation. But one thing that is very dangerous is that these differences are reflected among the Sepah and the military. All the countries of the world keep their military remote from politics. They understand something that prohibits their army from involvement in politics. We want the Sepah and the military to be soldiers of God with no grouping and without being involved in politics. If political

apparatus makes comment on it and embark on attacking Iran. Despite the fact that the speaker might not mean what the foreign propaganda machinery interprets, the mass media tries to find a way in order to undermine our image. While the government denies any involvement in mine plantings, naval and air piracy and stressing that we are opposed to such practices, which Islam does not permit us to do, the Iranian radio has allegedly praised those who have carried out kidnapping. Islam does not approve of transferring a group of innocent people from one side to the other causing them to fear and suffer. It is not right to air such things and must be stopped seriously. The radio should not air issues heedlessly and without understanding which world disgrace Iran. If they say something, it has nothing to do with the government. However, they consider the radio to be a government organ and the mouthpiece of government. The radio directors should note these matters. Unfortunately, the directors cannot understand the issues correctly. How is it possible that we confirm an act that irritates the feelings of the world, runs counter to Islam and reason? A group of innocent people have been kidnapped and taken to some other places or certain elements plant mine at a place. This means a number of innocent people will be killed. How can Islam sanction such an act? How can Iran acknowledge such things? How can the soldiers of God give permission for such an act? How can the government of Iran and the Majlis side with this practice? You see what troubles we are involved in? Whatever happens, we are blamed for it. We should be very careful. You gentlemen are guardians of Islam. The Majlis is the guardian of Islam and so are the government, the army, and the Sepah. It is not permissible for the Sepah to enter groups, one siding with one group and the other with another group. It is not up to you what goes on in the Majlis. Regarding the elections, I have been reported that there is dispute among the Sepah. Right! The election is in progress. What is the Sepah to do with the election? They might also be divided. It is not permissible for the Sepah to interfere. It is not permissible for the army to be involved in differences regarding election. In our words and deeds in the presence of the Almighty God, we should think the subject we are talking about today is expressed in a closed milieu in which we say whatever we wish. Or are we making the statement in an open location for the world?When one speaks a word it is spread across the world, we should think whether what we want to say is in the interest of the country or not? If a word is not in conformity to your tastes and you make a statement in peace, you should watch lest you do not make an utterance tarnishing or weakening the government or Majlis. This is a public matter and we are responsible to observe. We are all responsible. «2» In whatever way they can, these inveterate enemies embark on propaganda against us. Whenever Saddam finds an opportunity, this miserable man says," Whenever we wish, we can level the Khark Island to the ground." We are familiar with his disposition that if he finds the opportunity, he will eradicate not only Khark Island but also Tehran. He is such a cruel man, but he cannot. He has received a smack on the mouth. He is in a confused situation in Iraq. It is not clear if big powers still recognize him. Nevertheless, mass media quote President Saddam Husayn as saying so and so yesterday. They make braggadocio among themselves, announcing that Saddam awarded those, that had fled for fear of Iranian forces with the emblem of courage, and addressed them so and so. These are what they brag. What can one do? We should be attentive. We should really heed God. We should acknowledge that God is Omnipresent, watching over all our deeds and words and hearts.

I tell those who are living abroad in illusive delight that you do not know the Islamic Republic. You insist that you are Islamologist, socialist, etc., but you do not know even your own people. If you did, you would not suffer such a situation. If you know the people of Iran, you know that Islamic Republic today does not hinge on persons. Do not be delighted that so and so is at his last tether and has become dumb and, I do not know, what! Do not be happy over such things. You are making such statements for the past three years. Two months later the Islamic Republic will be destroyed, You constantly imagine. Thank God, the Islamic Republic continues to remain in power. Our army, Sepah, Basij, gendarmerie and the nation are powerful and awakened. Our nation sacrifices its youth, there are mothers who offer their youth and again like roaring lions they say they are ready to send their other sons to battlefields. No one can challenge such a nation. The day when they exploded the Islamic Republic Party headquarters and killed those dear ones, they said that with one or two more murders the Republic is done with. They imagine that by killing one or two or four or five of the like of us this Republic will perish. Today the entire nation is cognizant of the political developments. When one talks to people in villages working with the harrow, one finds they have also become aware of political matters. They have their comments on the developments. Those who imagine that they can destroy this Republic by killing so and so people are in the wrong. It is not possible. I hope that we regard Islamic interest, the general interests of Islam and the interests of the country. Consider the problems we have in the country. Wherever you want to speak about differences and discuss the disputes, we should bear this incentive in mind. First and foremost, we should consider the interests of Islam and the country. I beseech God Almighty to grant health and happiness to the gentlemen, particularly those who are busy serving the dear country. I pray for the health of all and hope that God would grant success to you and us to serve the nation. The oppressed nation which has been tyrannized in the course of history. The oppression this nation suffered in the course of the monarchical Pahlavi regime was not experienced under any other regime. Now that they want to take a breath of relief, I hope we are the servant and can serve them.

May God's peace and mercy be upon you!