Speech [Preservation of unity and heavy responsibility of the clerics]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

All you gentlemen are among the prominent `ulama. With the subjects you present, I should receive guidance from you. There is no talk of me giving you guidance. I believe that we should all engage in removing the problems of the country. We all know that no country is so afflicted by powers as Iran. If you exclude a number of governments, the rest are either directly or indirectly opposed to us, because an Islamic government in agreement with their mentality has not been established in Iran. They can no longer make inroads in Iran. Their opposition is to Islam, but they do not say directly that they are opposed to Islam. They say," We are opposed to these reactionaries and to the akhounds who have appropriated the government in Iran." At the same time you see that propaganda operations launched against us have not much affected the people. If they had influenced, the signs would be visible. However, on the Day of Quds for instance you see people appeared at the scene so gloriously. Those whose interests have been lost, those whose hands have been curtailed from government and those who wanted to restore the monarchy but failed are opposed to us, be they in Iran or abroad.

In present, conditions we should preserve our unity so that all works would be right. Of course in a country that wants to implement Islamic laws and that accommodates 40 million populations with that size of land, it will not be possible to correct things all at once with no wrong having been done. In time of the Prophet and Imam `Ali wrong was also done. One should look at the positive aspects, not negative ones. We should not expect to get up in the morning and see everything in its place. In time of the Imam of the Times (May God's peace be upon him) who wants to dispense justice with all power, in this way, it will not be possible that anyone would not do any wrong even secretly. Finally, those who are opposed will martyr the Savior. «1» In narrations, we read that some qualified jurists of the time will oppose to him. Therefore, it is not such that the wrong done by certain judge or governor or some negative aspects would pose a threat. In time of the Commander of the Faithful, too, the judge and governor also committed wrong. This is inevitable.

Today, Islam is in our hands and the clergy are more responsible, because people follow the clerics. In these conditions when consider problems and activities on the whole, you will see that beside these problems and activities no one is to blame. No one wants to destroy Islam and Islamic laws. Difficulties are too many, the problem of war, the problem of devastations and that of refugees from all side. Nevertheless, the services rendered to the poor and oppressed people in this period of time are not comparable to those of the former regime. Of course, there is no doubt that there are also wrongs, but these wrongs cannot bring about fundamental damage to us. We suffer loss if we are at variance.

If the government and Majlis are to be unable to do anything, we will suffer harm and cannot complete the works. It is not the case that one better can be found to handle the jobs, better than them. Either of them in their own place has acted sincerely to the extent they have endeavored. Those who are engaged in working are sincere people. It is of course possible that among them bad individuals would be found.

Another question is that understanding of people might be opposite to ours and we cannot close the door of ijtihad. Ijtihad has always existed, still exists and will exist, while the questions coming up today greatly differ from those in the past. Understandings of Islamic laws are different. We should not quarrel over understandings. You respected members of the Society of Teachers should note that if one came to you and worked sabotage, you should not be impressed and consider what the problem is. If we want to follow the words of a group in, for example; raising voice that this government, Majlis speaker, Prime Minister or president is not efficient, what will happen? Basically, do we have individuals to come from the unseen world and do the works completely the way we like? No such thing can be found in the entire world. We are in a situation that if we want to disturb it, we will suffer harm; that is, the Islamic Republic will suffer. I believe none of the individuals whom we know do not want to do wrong. However, at times desertions might be deficient. You gentlemen support and guide, because your support is effective. We should spotlight the positive cases and diminish the negative ones. If, God forbid, difference emerges between the Society of Teachers and the government, the Society of Teachers with the Majlis or the Majlis with the government, we will suffer defeat. However, if we are together, as we have been so far, this republic will remain. You should invite the people to unity in your propagation, preachers in the pulpits and `ulama' in mosques. Affairs will be fixed gradually. We like Islamic laws to be implemented entirely, yet it is not the case that one commands the power but fails to do so. We should measure the power of government and volume of their work and deliberate if you were them, what would you do? If we take the Prime Minister and make you prime minister, how much can you work? You should measure the work with power and settle the problems in friendly way. This is the view I held from the beginning and still stick to it and will continue to support.

Therefore, I hope in the same way that you gentlemen were with the revolution and launched the revolution, you will proceed and advise rather than showing revengeful spirit. The question of advice is something and vengeance something else. One should admonish the people, the government and officials as well as the Majlis not retaliate. If I counter you and you challenge me, nothing will be obtained other than others taking advantage of it. You see that foreigners take a word and make something out of it so as to overpower us. For example they say:" Iranians claim to be opposed to taking hostages, but since they are against the US, such words are meaningless." You saw how the US has resorted to there and there in the hostage-taking issue it has been entangled in. At first, they raise hue and cries that they would make military intervention, but later the US president is begging this and that to settle the issue, but failed. Some others have stood the other side and say:" Our terms and conditions should be acted." We should be very careful. They cannot do anything but undermining us from within.

Another subject I have repeated frequently is the issue of teaching and fiqh or jurisprudence which you should strengthen as much as you can. Islam has remained by jurisprudence and its laws. One group should do the works and another group be engaged in discussion and study. May God protect all of you and grant you health!

May God's peace and blessing be upon you!