Speech [Need for heeding judgment and duties of ambassadors and representatives of the Islamic Republic in foreign countries]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I congratulate this holy day to all Muslims throughout the world and oppressed peoples, particularly the Shi`ah Muslims and you gentlemen who have come here. It is hoped that God Almighty will grant us success because of the blessing of the holy shrine of Imam Rida (`a) in following the lofty teachings of Islam and education of the immaculate Imams. I hope that God will make successful all nations, particularly the Iranian nation in acting Islamic laws correctly and relying on sublime favors of Almighty God, proceeding with the path they have launched and blessing us with successes.

What I would like to address to this respected audience deals with the Judicial Power and those who are engaged in rendering service outside of the country with a number of them being present here today. One of the subjects I would like to highlight regarding judgment is that the staff of Judicial Body should be strengthened. This is partly vested with the theological seminaries across the country, particularly the Qum Theological Seminary. Judgment is an important issue that deals with the entire prestige of the country and Muslims. The stress laid by Islam on judgment has not been prescribed with regard to other subjects. Therefore, it is obligatory upon all those who can engage in judgment but have remained in suspension in theological seminaries. There are many individuals versed in judgment. If they heed the question that it is an obligation upon all to fulfill the need, they should apply to a sufficient extent. Kafa'i obligations are incumbent upon all individuals. When sufficient number is fulfilled, the obligatory nature will be lifted. Therefore, it is upon all theological seminaries across the country to make efforts in this respect. Individuals who are capable of making judgment should come and engage in the work. This is a service to Islam, to the country and an obligation God Almighty has ordained to all individuals in society. I hope that they will do this.

I hope that the students who are engaged in this service struggle for both judgment and ethical edification. What is important is that the two wings: knowledge and action should go together. Knowledge without action is not useful; in fact, it is harmful. Perhaps many of the disasters befallen man have come about by knowledge. All the devastations visible in the world have been due to knowledge minus edification. Knowledge is there but without purification. If you want to serve Islam and the country, preserve the independence of your country and not be dependent on any country, you should strengthen knowledge, ethical edification and action.

I hope such will be the case and you will be successful in accomplishing this great duty efficiently.

Let me remind the Judicial Power of the importance of judgment. If one fails in it, will cause harm. If one is remiss in his/her work, he/she will be held responsible before God Almighty and if one goes beyond the limits, so is the case. Measure is the laws of Islam. In implementation of the limits one should not exceed the limit set by God Almighty nor should one be derelict. Even one who is condemned to death and is going to a place for execution of the death warrant, no one has the right to address him/her in a harsh word. It is implementation of the command of God. If one gives a slap on his/her face, one has the right to retaliate in the same place. Other should also help him retaliate. One who treats harshly should be subjected to punishment. The Judiciary should punish him.

On the other hand, if one is remiss in this work and lashes 60 strokes to one who is, for example, subjected to 70 strokes, one has been remiss in implementing the command of God. Implementation of the limits should be done in accordance with the way prescribed by God Almighty. If one feels pity for one who is subjected to punishment and fails to execute the punishment or shows leniency, this is rebellion. The one who has neglected will suffer as well. The nation will also suffer. These punishments educate individuals and help the nation experience less corruption. If a punishment is executed, this will educate the one who has been punished, also being good for the nation." And there is life for you in retaliation." «1»

We can be living when we act according to all Islamic standards and we can confront superpowers and remain invincible when we are committed to Islam and Islamic laws. Judges can be real judge when they are neither remiss nor do they go beyond the limits in executing the ruling. Therefore, judgment is one of the important things that should be undertaken and will be considered. I hope that you will be successful in acting in accordance with what God has prescribed. You should neither exceed the limits nor be remiss. In both cases, you will be responsible. You cannot imagine being kinder than God in the latter case. The straight path is the one prescribed by God Almighty and should be traversed. A court police should also note that he is the officer of Islam. He is the Islamic judiciary police. This justice should act in accordance with standards. One should not, God forbid, exceed the limits when one commands power. God willing one should act according to the order issued and the order complies with religious standards.

That which I would like to speak regarding the brothers who have come from abroad and the brothers who serve in foreign countries is that wherever you are, you should be committed to Islam. You should not be influenced by the environment. One who enters an embassy in a foreign country should see he has entered an Islamic milieu, a human environment. It should not be the case that the things of the past would have remained in these foreign missions. If the things prevailing in former time, in time of the arrogant regime still prevail, you should struggle to purge them. I hope they have already been purged. We can stand against the world and we tilt neither to those who have been subjected to God's wrath nor the deviants, neither to the West nor the East, when we are all together. We can be like this and act according to the straight path when we act as a single hand, as prescribed by Islam, with one voice. We should unify our ranks and not act sluggishly.

Whatever Islam advances, we should strengthen it. We should be more active. It should not be the case that now that Islam has come in Iran, we should no longer have to doanything with Islam. Never! It is now the start of the work. We should be involved. We should get strong in all affairs. The best officer is the one who acts efficiently according to what has been devolved upon him. If, let us suppose, you are at an embassy and want to act, you should act efficiently what you have been entrusted. Do not be concerned with others. If they did wrong, you should forbid them. But you should not be impressed by what he does. You should act in accordance with standards and laws prescribed by Islam and the Islamic Republic. Basically, a good officer, a good man is one who performs his mission efficiently and fulfills the duty devolved upon him. I hope you are all like this and so are the people of Iran.

Among the upcoming issues is the question of presidential elections. I am not concerned with who will become president. It is not my business. I myself have a vote and will cast it for anyone I like. So are you. But if you want to display your dynamism before the world, announcing them that after lapse of several years you are still living, you should participate. If, God forbid, due to your failure to participate, any harm is inflicted on the Islamic Republic, you should know that all of us who have done this wrong, God forbid, are held responsible. We are responsible before God. It is not the question of president; it is the question of Islam. It is the question of Islamic laws, prestige of Islam. It is a question which all should accord significance greater than at any other time. We should participate in greater number than any other term. I hope all will participate.

Know that the rays of Islam have been released from Iran, being permeated the entire world, everywhere. I do not know if you heard, as I heard, that in the US an Islamic bank is going to be set up. Of course, the Islam they preach is different from the Islam we prescribe. Anyhow, I heard they want to make an Islamic bank. Some of these governments such as Egypt, I do not know, Sudan and others claiming for Islamic laws. Do you assume that it has taken place without any reason. The question is that the waves of Islam have extended its rays everywhere and cries have been risen. Now in the US, too, these questions are raised. In other places also these voices are heard. Wittingly or unwittingly, they have been humiliated by this movement. This Islamic movement has caused other countries to be humiliated. The Muslims of countries that accompany, what do they mean when they sometimes say Iran has been isolated? Does it mean that the US does not care for us? Any time we extend our hand towards the US, they will reciprocate a hundred times more but we do not care for them. So are others.

If they mean we are isolated from nations, all right, everybody knows that nations are all attentive to us. Now, everywhere an Islamic gathering is organized our Sunni brothers or Shi`ah brothers are gathered, discussing Islam and the fact that everything in their country should be Islamic. All these indicate that this is a ray that God Almighty has favored everywhere, shedding its light. You should seek the path that this issue would be acted efficiently. What counts is your gathering.

Let me reiterate that your assembly, your unity is [decisive]. Those who are in bad terms with us, we tell them right, we are bad but Islam is not bad though. If they saw that voting for the president, whoever he might be, gathering is mounted by Muslims, this causes the strengthening of Islam. Those who believe in Islam should be present at the scene and should vote. It should not be the case that now that things are not in accordance with my liking, I should withdraw. If something is not in line with one's liking, one should nevertheless be at the scene. The late Mudarris (May God's peace be upon him) had said that he was opposed to republic- at that time opposition to the republic was something obvious, it should have been- because they wanted to make some schemes. He had said he was opposed to the republic, but if the republic was realized, he would not keep aloof. I am at the scene. I will go for it.

One possessing certain inclination intends to serve should serve in any form. If something favors my liking, I serve; if it is not in line with my liking, it is service to Islam, to the Islamic Republic. Those who consider the Islamic Republic to be correct should participate even if they are opposed to individuals. If they do not participate, it means that they do not accept the Islamic Republic. I implore God Almighty to make us successful in serving Islam. I hope that God will strengthen our combatants in warfronts. They are strong and I hope they will be strengthened. May God make us to follow the Islamic laws!

May God's peace and mercy be upon you!