In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Difference between the deeds of the prophets and that of the people
Reciprocally, I congratulate all the gentlemen and all Muslims and oppressed people of the world on the auspicious feast.
I hope that God Almighty guides all the Muslim ummahs and us to traverse the straight path of Islam thanks to this and other holy feasts, to think of Islamic goals and to strive for unifying ranks of Muslims.
Prophet Ibrahim to whom this feast is attributed and who is the founder of self-negation the form of action has one concept and the meaning and content of action another. Here, form of action is a problem to resolve and something beyond the human power. What makes Ibrahim is not this; it is the spiritual journey he has undergone, resulting in such a high status.
According to our holy narrations, when Ibrahim was thrown towards the fire, the angels of God told him if he had any need. Ibrahim told them not from you. This is another gate of the knowledge. We observe the form of action and wonder. It is wonderful. However, those who are men of God and knowledge observe the inward of the action. The origin of the action of prophets absolutely in terms of form conforms to our action in terms of type. They say prayer, so do we! They fast, so do we. They go on hajj pilgrimage, so do we. They offer sacrifice, so do we. They perform wuqouf (stations), so do we. We share the forms, but what distinguishes the actions of prophets and some others is the essence of action, something that they acquire from that source and perform by inspiration from that source.
The question of revelation and receiving of revelation by prophets- is one of the important questions not conceivable to man. Man cannot comprehend the nature of divine revelation. Gabriel has been the medium, but what kind of medium? Or did Gabriel descend to convey the revelation? These questions are open to debate.
Meaning of `Id from the viewpoint of the prophets
The issue of sacrifice of a son is a chapter that is important from the viewpoint of human beings. However that which is the source of this action, that which realizes comparison between father and the issue of son is an heart, soul and spirituality questions and beyond what we understand. We simply say they sacrificed. It is actually true and important. However, did Ibrahim also see in this light? Did Ibrahim think he was merely offering a gift to God? Did Isma`il (may God's peace be upon him) think he was taking trouble for God? Or this is not the question. It is a question as long as man's self persists, man's ego has not been refined. As long as the concept of sacrifice remains. I sacrifice my son in the cause of God; I sacrifice my life in the cause of God. It is important for us and very important. It is not for Ibrahim. His case is not more sacrifice. Ibrahim did not see any ego to sacrifice. Isma`il did not see any ego to sacrifice. Sacrifice is I exist and you as well, but my action is for you and that is sacrifice. In the sight of awliya' of God men of God this is shirk or polytheism, while we consider it a perfection or great sacrifice.
`Id has one meaning for Ibrahim and the prophets and a different one for us. We celebrate `Id and they do so. But the `Id they celebrate is the communion with God. They return where they came from and celebrate for this. After the return- it is a spiritual course- it is time to celebrate. Its spiritual dimensions are many and varied. We are short of them. Its political and social dimensions are also great. These are great and we hope they increase.
Greater Jihad
We hope Muslims come to their senses and make spiritual journey from the very acts of worship God has prescribed for them, also understanding political interpretations and action.
We should not merely be concerned with proximity to God in prayers. Of course, this is the highest of things, but when man turns to prayers, one will make sacrifice. When one makes sacrifice, he will serve Islam. And hajj, in which social and political matters are conspicuous, has been performed well this year. I hope that it will be so from now onward and that it will be performed by a greater number of pilgrims to enlighten Muslims and the hujjaj to the House of God. Although unfortunately some of the unintelligent and malicious akhounds at this juncture have began writing things and distributing pamphlets insulting, shi`ite Muslims, the Imams of the shi`ites and the shi`ite practice. Such a treatment at this juncture when the wise men and `ulama' of the two schools have come together to think out a way for interests of Islam indicates that they have felt a sense of threat to the US and are raising cain.
The numbskull akhound who affronts the sanctities the shi`ites at such a juncture plans to urge someone to rise up against him and say something and thus triggering difference among Muslims at a time when the `ulama' are reaching unity. What should Islam actually do with such mentalities and with such `ulama'? What should Islam do with these akhounds who have disguised themselves as clergy and who are dispersed among people? This trouble at a time when Muslims are contemplating unity only serves colonization and the big powers and undermine Islam and Muslims. On seeing that they assume it that I saw some youth have tilted to this gathering, to Iran, I deemed it my duty to declare that they (Shi`ite Muslims) are polytheists, Magi and are insulting some of the sanctities. We should think out a way of such troubles. Muslims should think for such problems and those who plan to break the unity of Muslims.
Briefly, I hope with the path Iran has adopted, Iran does not simply consider formal aspects but also heed spiritual aspects. All efforts are for improvement of spiritual matters. Prophets came and spread the rules to purify the people." He it is Who hath sent among the unlettered ones a messenger from among themselves, to recite unto them His revelations and to make them grow, and to teach them the Scripture and Wisdom." «2» All prophets have come to acquaint people with the source of revelation, guide them towards the journey towards God, show them the straight path and lead them to the straight path. We Iranians and Muslims should not be negligent of greater jihad while engaged in jihad in the cause of Islam. We should not be derelict of jihad of the self, which is the most important goal of prophets. In the same way that we consider these days to be `id for Muslims and reserve and honor for the holy Prophet, we should be prepared to be reserve and honor for the Prophet.
We should treat Muslims in Mecca, Medina and everywhere in a way that brings honor for Islam. We should act in a way that people would understand how Islam educates its followers. People should come to understand Islamic education and the reason for emergence of the faith. They should understand why the Holy Qur'an has been revealed.
Attention to God, fundamental goal of prophets
All the problems we are facing is because we want to curtail the hand of oppressors and suppress the tyrannical powers and cut Islamic lands loose from these powers. All these efforts are prelude to creating some sort of calm in these countries followed by a spiritual course, and guidance towards God. Spiritual journey constitutes the cornerstone of the prophets' invitation. All attention should be to God, all acts of worship should be performed for Him, all efforts of the prophets from Adam to the Seal of Prophets where aimed at spiritual journey, breaking the idol of self that is the biggest of idols followed by shattering other idols.
Thank God, this year with the massive demonstration held in Mecca and through the vociferous slogans to same extent shattered the grandeur of the idols and thank God will be so later.
I hope that every year Muslims join each other in greater number and raise their voices at the place where their voice will be raised. I implore God Almighty to awaken all of us and all Muslims and make them more attentive to the interests of Islam and Muslims. I also hope that regional governments come to their senses and keep themselves away from the evil propaganda of the akhounds, the US and proceed with unity of expression so that they can save Islam and Muslim lands from the clutches of these blood-thirsty powers who want devour the lands of Muslims.
May God, the Blessed and Almighty grant success to all of us and all of you to celebrate these `ids while observing the rules of Islam!
May God's peace and mercy be upon you!