Speech [Complimenting the character of `Ali (`a), defense of the Islamic country against aggressors]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I congratulate this auspicious day to the audience, the honorable people of Iran and all Muslims of the world. I hope God will shower His blessings upon all Muslims, particularly upon this noble nation thanks to this blessed day.

Today's birth is indescribable. Whatever description is attributed to him is beneath his dignity. What poets, mystics and philosophers as well as others have told about him is only a small part of what he is. We often express what we understand of the Commander of the Faithful. That which we cannot appreciate and mystics, philosophers and others are unable to comprehend is not citable. One cannot describe until one has not understand. The amount at our disposal is so much that calls for longer time to appreciate. Therefore, we should apologize this holy man to excuse us for being unable to highlight his perfection.

What is regrettable is that we have been inadequate to manifest the features of the Commander of Faithful (a) as it is and desired by Islam. In the short period of his superficial Caliphate three battles broke out by the Muslims. These deviants who accuse Iran of why we fight Muslims, we should say that we do not consider the Ba`ath party to be Muslim. We even consider them against Islam. People of Iraq are afflicted by this party. So are the people of Iran. It is not war with Muslim. Although he has used Muslims as shelter and forced them to participate in the warfronts, it is not war against Muslims. Moreover, we suppose he is Muslim. Do you consider Saddam to be one of the companions of the Messenger of God? Do these turbaned Sunni people- some of their court clerics- consider Saddam and the like of Saddam superior to the sanctimonious people in Nahravan, «1» whose forehead has formed a callus and said nocturnal prayer? The three wars of the Commander of the Faithful (`a) have been fought against the companions of the prophet, the relations of the Prophet and sanctimonious people to ensure the interests of Islam. I know that in some hearts misgivings have been prompted regarding the Commander of the Faithful. Some individuals have doubts about the Commander of the Faithful, but do not dare to disclose and ask why the Imam (`a) fought against Muslims. However, the Commander of the Faithful is obedient to Islam. If Islam orders him to fight Muslims, he will fight; if the faith instructs him to fight the disbelievers, he will do. When a tribe of Muslims are hatching plot to destroy the new-born Islam and when another group put people on the wrong track, the Commander of the Faithful is obliged to draw sword and engage in three battles against Muslims- those who professed the faith and proclaimed to be Muslim and were all more pious than Saddam. The holy Imam draws his sword and fought against Muslims in three wars for obeying God's order and for preservation of the basis of Islam.

The day when the foundation of Islam and religious nature of Islam depends on fighting against those who verbally profess Islam or are actually Muslim, when it was so decided, the sword should be drawn and Muslim fought. These blind-hearted people who raise doubt in an attempt to support big powers and backing the monarchists, and while munafiqin (hypocrites) and the like of them prompt misgiving against Iran, combatants of Iran and `ulama' of Islam in Iran, they had better take their misgiving to raise in early days of Islam to see what they should say! Do they not accept the Commander of the Faithful? They do. Let them see what happened for why it happened. What was the incentive? They wanted to restore the situation to the Jahiliyyah (ignorance) period though in the form of Islam. What could be the duty of the Commander of the Faithful at that time? Was it other than what he acted?

We believe that Saddam wants to restore Islam to infidelity and blasphemy and that the US has been scared of Islam and wants to destroy Islam. They express this desire expressly. We hold that those who are hostile to Islamic government in Iran are opposed to Islam. Based on this belief, we should struggle against them to the end, because Islam has ordained such a duty for us. One whose pros consist of people deflecting from Islam- the US is devious, others are devious- who is acting in his country against Muslims the way he is doing and treating our Muslims as you see, we have no other choice to deal with him but rising to fight against him. We are following and will follow this line to the end and do not care for the balderdash of those who are devious, mentally devious. We consider our duty. Muslim `ulama' in Iran- the prominent `ulama' of Iran- are all in favor of this question. So are the believers, the businessmen, farmers and others, those engaged in departments and all. These are the sincere believers who are for this matter. If God forbid the US emerges victorious in this war and makes Saddam victorious, Islam will suffer a setback that cannot recover to the end, for long years to come. When we are in such a station and have such a duty, it is necessary for all of us, a religious obligation, to defend Islam. In addition to all these, the question is not that we are making war. We are defending. We have to defend against one who has attacked and brought about such destruction in our country. There are no Muslim, no Islamic `ulama' who would say defense is not prescribed in Islam. For defense we do not need a wali( religious leader )to prescribe. We need no Imam to tell us to defend. Muslims are independent in this matter. Iran can act independently even though wali-ye faqih does not say so. Even if `ulama' do not prescribe, though they do, people are religiously obliged to defend. Their intellect urges them to defend their country, their principles and their properties. You know that if God forbid this Ba`ath party finds a respite and is given the opportunity, it will treat Iraq and our country in a way that will ruin the two countries. We are standing to the end. We seek Islam and Islamic laws. This is Islamic command today.

We seek God Almighty to grant success to all Muslims in revolting against the banner of infidelity. One who objects to all international rules and openly announces that he would attack at so and so hour, launch missile attack against Iranian cities and residential areas. He threatens outright but no country condemns him. We say in outspoken language that we do not intend to transgress upon any country. We are defending ourselves and all propaganda efforts are against us. It is because the story is the story of Islam and blasphemy, not Iran and Iraq. The story is that they suffer from Islam which does not let them attain their illegitimate interests. Those whom Islam does not let gain their illegitimate interests rise against Islam or drive others to stand against Islam. It is revolt against Islam, but they should know that a country whose Muslims, youth, Shaykhs old and children are psychologically and spiritually so strong, they cannot challenge. Those at the helm of crimes are wiser and will not get them involved. In a number of occasions they did and received a slap. They no longer involved themselves in this matter. They push others to make mischief. These evils should know that they can no longer do anything. A country, in which all are wakeful and prepared for martyrdom, cannot be frightened. One who says pray for him to be martyred cannot be scared of death. Do you frighten him from missile? Do you frighten him from war? This situation has been created by God. Something that has been provided by God cannot be challenged. I implore God Almighty to protect us and grant us the power to be resistant and perseverant in confronting anyone challenging us.

May God's peace and mercy be upon you!