Meeting with Various Segments of the People on the Day of the Half of Sha'ban

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

First of all, this blessed and joyous holiday, a beacon of hope for the faithful, is congratulated to all of you dear brothers and sisters, to all believers in the Guardianship of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), and to all aware, enlightened, and freedom-seeking individuals who oppose oppression.

The day of the half of Sha'ban is a day of hope. This hope is not limited to the Shia community or even to the Muslim Ummah. The essence of hope for a bright future for humanity and the emergence of a savior, a redeemer, a hand of justice spread across the world, is almost universally accepted among all religions known to us. Apart from Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, even Indian religions, Buddhism, and those religions that most people in the world are not familiar with, have foretold such a future in their teachings. This is, in fact, a source of hope for all humanity throughout history and a response to the human need for this hope, which is a reality expressed therein.

Divine and heavenly religions - most of which have divine and heavenly roots - have not sought to give people a false hope; they have articulated a reality. In the creation of humanity and the long history of mankind, there exists a truth: this struggle between truth and falsehood will one day end in favor of truth and to the detriment of falsehood, and from that day onward, the true world of humanity, the desired life of man, will begin, where struggle does not mean conflict, but rather striving for goodness. This is a truth shared by all religions.

The characteristic of our belief as Shia Muslims is that this truth has been transformed from a mere wish, from a purely mental concept, into an existing reality within the Shia faith. The truth is that when Shia Muslims await the promised Mahdi, they are waiting for that saving hand and do not drown in mere mental abstractions; they seek a reality that exists. The proof of God is alive among the people; He exists; He lives with the people; He sees them; He is with them; He feels their pains and sorrows. People, those who are fortunate and have the capacity, sometimes visit Him anonymously. He exists; a real human being, identifiable, with a specific name, with known parents, and among the people, living with them. This is the characteristic of our belief as Shia Muslims.

Those who do not accept this belief from other sects have never been able to provide a rational argument against this thought and reality. All clear and firm evidence, which many Sunni scholars have also acknowledged, undoubtedly attests to the existence of this noble human being, this proof of God, this clear and radiant truth - with the very characteristics that you and I recognize - and you can observe this in many non-Shia sources as well.

The blessed child of Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him) has a known date of birth, known relatives, and specified miracles, and God has granted him a long life and continues to do so. This is the embodiment of the great hope of all nations of the world, all tribes, all religions, and all races, throughout all eras. This is the characteristic of the Shia faith regarding this important issue.

One point regarding the issue of Mahdism is that you see in Islamic literature, in Shia literature, that the expectation of the appearance of Imam Mahdi is expressed as the expectation of relief. What does relief mean? It means opening. When does a person expect relief? When there is a blockage, when there is a knot, when there is a problem. In the context of a problem, a person feels the need for relief; that is, the finger that unties the knots; the one who opens the closed issues. This is an important point.

The meaning of the expectation of relief as another expression of the expectation of appearance is that a believer in Islam, a believer in the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), recognizes the situation that exists in the real world, the knots and blockages in human life. The reality of the matter is just that. They await the unblocking of this human predicament, this general entrapment of humanity. The issue is not merely about the knots in my life or yours. The Imam of the Time (peace be upon him) will appear to bring relief for all of humanity, to save humanity from entrapment; indeed, to save the future history of humanity.

This means that what exists today; this unjust human order, this human order in which countless people are oppressed, countless hearts are misled, countless individuals do not find the opportunity for servitude to God, is rejected and opposed by the humanity that awaits the appearance of the Imam of the Time. The expectation of relief means rejecting and opposing that situation which has been imposed on humanity due to human ignorance and selfish motives.

Today, look at the state of the world; the very things mentioned in the narrations regarding the appearance of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) are currently prevailing in the world; the world is filled with oppression and injustice. Today, the world is filled with oppression and injustice. In various narrations and supplications related to the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him), it is stated that "God will fill the earth with justice and fairness as it has been filled with oppression and injustice"; just as one day the entire world was filled with oppression and injustice - in times of oppression and injustice, that was the prevailing condition of humanity - so too will God Almighty establish justice and fairness as the prevailing condition of humanity in His time. Today, this is the case; today, oppression and injustice dominate humanity. The life of humanity today is a life subdued and oppressed by the hands of tyranny and despotism everywhere. This is the case everywhere. Humanity today, due to the dominance of oppression, the dominance of selfish desires, is suffering from numerous problems. Two billion hungry people in today's world, the existence of millions of individuals who are oppressed in tyrannical systems, even the pressure on believers and the Mojahedin fi Sabilillah (strugglers in the path of God) and fighters for the truth, and a nation like the Iranian nation that has managed to raise the banner of justice in a limited space, all signify the dominance of oppression and injustice over the world. This contextualizes the expectation of relief with the current state of human life across different eras.

Today, we await relief. That is, we are waiting for the powerful hand of justice to come and break this dominance of oppression and injustice that has nearly subdued all of humanity, to transform this atmosphere of oppression and injustice and to blow the breeze of justice into the lives of people, so that they feel justice. This is the eternal need of a living and aware human being; a person who has not buried their head in their own cocoon, who is not content with their own life. A person who looks at the general life of humanity with a broad perspective naturally has a state of expectation. This is the meaning of expectation. Expectation means not being satisfied, not accepting the current state of human life, and striving to reach the desired state, which is certainly achievable through the powerful hand of God's proof, Imam al-Mahdi (may God's peace be upon him and may God hasten his reappearance and may our souls be sacrificed for him). We must prepare ourselves as soldiers, as individuals ready to strive for such conditions.

The expectation of relief does not mean that a person sits idly, does nothing, does not strive for reform, merely comforts themselves with the thought that we are waiting for the Imam of the Time (peace be upon him). That is not expectation. What is expectation? It is the expectation of the powerful divine hand that must come and, with the help of these very people, eliminate the dominance of oppression and establish truth and justice in the lives of people, raising the banner of monotheism; making people true servants of God. We must be prepared for this task. The establishment of the Islamic Republic is one of the prerequisites for this great historical movement. Any action towards establishing justice is a step towards that lofty goal. This is the meaning of expectation. Expectation is movement; expectation is not stagnation; expectation is not abandoning and sitting back for things to happen on their own. Expectation is movement. Expectation is readiness. This readiness must be preserved within ourselves and in our surrounding environment. And thanks be to God, our dear people, the Iranian nation, have been able to take this great step and prepare the atmosphere of expectation. This is the meaning of the expectation of relief. The expectation of relief means being girded, being prepared, and readying oneself from all aspects for the goal for which the Imam of the Time (peace be upon him) will rise. That great historical revolution will take place for the purpose of establishing justice and fairness, a human life, a divine life, and servitude to God; this is the meaning of the expectation of relief.

Today, thanks be to God, our nation’s attention to the concept of Mahdism and the sacred existence of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) is greater than ever. Day by day, one feels that in the hearts of the youth, among the masses, the enthusiasm, love, devotion, and remembrance of the sacred existence of Imam al-Hujjah (peace be upon him) is increasing. This is also one of the blessings of that great figure. His gaze, the merciful gaze of that great figure towards our nation, has turned their hearts towards that radiant truth. This in itself is a sign of that great figure's attention. This must be appreciated.

Of course, like all truths that become playthings in the hands of opportunists at various times, this truth also sometimes becomes a plaything in the hands of opportunists. Those who make false claims - claims of visions, claims of encounters, even in completely superstitious forms, claims of leading prayers behind that great figure - are truly shameful claims; these are the false embellishments that may obscure this clear truth in the eyes and hearts of pure individuals. We must not allow this. All individuals must be aware that these claims of connection and communication and encounters with the Imam and receiving orders from that great figure are not credible. Our great scholars, our distinguished figures, individuals whose moments of life are worth more than the days, months, and years of our lives, have not made such claims. It is possible for a fortunate person to have their eyes and heart illuminated by the light of that blessed beauty, but such individuals are not claimants; they are not speakers; they are not merchants. Those who engage in commerce through this means can be definitively labeled as liars; they are slanderers. This clear and radiant belief must be kept away from this ideological affliction.

Today, fortunately, in our assembly, there are cultural figures, cultural advisors, educational managers, outstanding and elite youth from the youth organization, and various groups related to Mahdism present. What I wish to convey to you, dear brothers and sisters, in this aware and vigilant cultural gathering, is that our Islamic beliefs, especially Shia beliefs, are among the purest, most logical, and most robust beliefs. The monotheism we envision, the leadership we envision, the personality of the Prophet we envision, the doctrinal issues and religious knowledge depicted in the Shia faith are clear and logical images that any active and inquisitive mind can recognize the truth and accuracy of these beliefs. Shia beliefs are very robust beliefs. Throughout the history of Islam, Shia beliefs have been recognized in this manner. Others, opponents, in the context of debate, in the context of argumentation, in theological confrontations, have acknowledged the robustness of the beliefs of the Imamiya, which are derived from the Imams (peace be upon them). The Imams (peace be upon them), following the Holy Quran, have instructed us to reflect, to think, and to employ reason and intellect. This is why thought, intellect, and reason are evident in these beliefs; in addition to the guidance of the Imams (peace be upon them), which is enlightening and prevents deviations.

These beliefs must first be understood correctly, secondly deepened with contemplation and reflection, and thirdly accurately conveyed. This is the case in all cultural institutions. In education, a teacher, an educational or developmental manager can utilize this golden opportunity of youth in their care in the best possible way. Religious beliefs can be instilled not only in religious education classes but can be integrated into all educational opportunities with awareness, precision, and consideration, so that the student has the chance to nurture them in their heart and mind.

Cultural institutions related to other nations and working abroad or connected to them have the most important task of presenting these truths in various ways before the eyes and minds of seekers and inquirers; just to make them aware. In this matter of Mahdism, those from among the Sunnis or even from non-Muslim scholars who have paid attention to Shia beliefs regarding Mahdism and have become informed about them have acknowledged that the prophecies in the Torah, Gospel, and other religions all align with the Mahdism that exists in Shia. They acknowledge this. The one who does not know the Shia belief or has received a distorted version of it, it is obvious that such a person cannot make such a judgment. The correct form of the belief must be conveyed. Then you will see that the judgment of the wise and knowledgeable individuals of the world will be in agreement with this belief, and they will affirm and acknowledge it.

This must be noted by our youth - our wise youth, our students, our knowledgeable clerics - as well as by the institutions responsible for education, propaganda, and the cultivation of thoughts and minds. Demonstrating the truth that is in the possession of the Imami faith and the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) to the audience is tantamount to gaining the acceptance and acknowledgment of the audience. The truth must be shown. We must strive to ensure that embellishments, superstitions, false claims, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations do not interfere. Of course, the role of religious scholars, prominent propagators, and intellectuals in this regard is significant. Our nation, by adhering to the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and the Quran, both during the revolution and during the sacred defense, as well as in various events that have occurred for our country, has demonstrated the truth of these teachings. Many people around the world became acquainted with the truth of Shia during the sacred defense and accepted it; just as many global observers during the sacred defense, during the revolution, witnessed the realities that were demonstrated in the actions of our great Imam and his companions - who were the same young fighters and Mojahedin in the path of truth - came to believe in the truth of Islam. Many nations that were Muslim but had been oblivious to the truth of Islam became awakened; they became aware. Demonstrating the correct truth of religion and showing it, especially in practice, has such miraculous properties.

We hope that our dear nation will be included in the blessed prayers of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) and, God willing, day by day, this nation will advance in devotion, closeness, enthusiasm, and anticipation for the appearance of that great figure. God willing, the capacity of hearts and eyes and the capacity of the world will be prepared for that great divine revolution.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.