Meeting with Thousands of People from Various Sectors, Especially the People of Ilam

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

Thanks be to God and blessings upon His Messenger and the purest of his progeny. I welcome you dear brothers and sisters who have traveled this long distance and have honored us by celebrating our holiday with your presence. We hope that God Almighty, by the blessing of the birth of this day, bestows His spiritual and material favors upon the people of Iran, especially you brothers and sisters who have come from Ilam, and may He include you in His special grace and guidance, God willing. As we have known and seen closely in the past regarding Ilam and its people - both nomads and city dwellers - the divine favors have been upon you; whether during the Sacred Defense era or afterwards until today; the struggles, steadfastness, resistance, and public loyalty are not small matters; for the people, these are honors, and thanks be to God, you have had, have, and will have these honors. And know - especially you dear youth - that this country belongs to you, its future is yours; it is you who must bear the weight of this great responsibility, just as the youth of yesterday did, defending the national honor, the independence of the country, and their faith and national identity, of which the people of Ilam are one of the important manifestations. I witnessed the sacrifices of the people closely; in the years 59 and 60, during those difficult times, all the people - men and women - were present, cooperating, and the prominent figures and elites of your province and region were leading the people; today, the situation is the same. We hope that God Almighty assists and grants success to the officials so that they can fulfill their duties completely, as they are indeed pursuing the resolution of the problems; cooperation is necessary, everyone should help to accomplish this task.

Much has been said about Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him), but the whole truth has not yet been expressed. What has been narrated about the virtues of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) so far is only a part of it. It has been reported from the Noble Prophet that he said: "My brother Ali has virtues that are 'la tuhsaa' (cannot be counted)" - meaning that humans are unable to enumerate these virtues; they are beyond the understanding and intellect of ordinary human beings; this is Amir al-Mu'minin. Well, we need a role model, we need an exemplar, [thus] let us look at Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) from this perspective. In my opinion, there are several key aspects that should be considered in the life of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him); both scholars and those of us who wish to study and think about the issues of Amir al-Mu'minin. Four key aspects come to my mind that I will briefly mention.

One aspect is the spiritual ranks of Amir al-Mu'minin - the rank of his monotheistic knowledge, his worship, his closeness to God, his sincerity - these are things whose depth and essence are truly beyond our reach. Great scholars, both Shia and Sunni, even non-Muslims, have expressed their inability in the face of this aspect of Amir al-Mu'minin's personality; it is so lofty and radiant that it shines in the eyes of every observer; they cannot grasp its dimensions; this is one aspect. Ibn Abi al-Hadid - a Sunni Mu'tazili scholar - when narrating one of Amir al-Mu'minin's sermons related to monotheism in Nahj al-Balagha, says that it is fitting for Ibrahim Khalil al-Rahman to take pride in having such a son; from the lineage of Ibrahim, so many prophets came forth; [however] he only says this about Amir al-Mu'minin; he says it is fitting for Ibrahim Khalil al-Rahman to tell this son of his: You expressed words about monotheism in the ignorance of the Arabs, which I could not express in the ignorance of the Nabataeans, and I could not innovate these truths. The speaker is a Sunni Mu'tazili scholar. This is one aspect and one chapter of the life of Amir al-Mu'minin that has unknown dimensions; it is truly a deep ocean.

Another aspect is the struggles of Amir al-Mu'minin, which represent the pinnacle of sacrifice. What Amir al-Mu'minin did in sacrificing for Islam, for the religion, for preserving the life of the Prophet, for the dignity and greatness of the Islamic community, is truly struggles beyond human capacity. From childhood, from the moment he recognized the Prophet as his mentor and grew up in the Prophet's lap and accepted Islam in his youth, throughout all those difficult thirteen years in Mecca, then in the very challenging event of migration to Medina, and during the ten years of the blessed life of the Prophet in Medina and those wars and sacrifices and hardships, throughout all these periods, this individual stood at the pinnacle of sacrifice. After the Prophet's passing, it was the same: the patience of Amir al-Mu'minin was sacrifice; his actions were sacrifice; his collaborations were sacrifice; accepting the caliphate was sacrifice; the works he accomplished during his short caliphate were one after another acts of sacrifice. The book of the sacrifices of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) alone is a lengthy and voluminous book for any observer, truly leaving one astonished. How can a person with firm resolve dedicate his life, dignity, abilities, and all his affairs for the sake of God! The conception of that is beyond my capacity and that of others like me. This is also a chapter of the life of Amir al-Mu'minin that itself could fill extensive volumes.

The third chapter is the conduct of Amir al-Mu'minin during his governance; both personal conduct and social and governmental conduct. His personal conduct was the ascetic life of Ali during his rule and power. A vast and great country was under the authority of Amir al-Mu'minin; from the farthest east to Egypt, to Africa - this vast region - all were under the Islamic government and the rule of Amir al-Mu'minin; this great and powerful ruler, with this vast and wealthy country, lived his personal life, his personal conduct, like a destitute and impoverished person; he lived in a humble manner, his food was barley bread and dry food, he avoided all material pleasures; so much so that he himself addressed his companions and statesmen of his time, saying: "Indeed, you cannot do that"; he was right, no one can; it is truly astonishing that Amir al-Mu'minin's personal life during his governance was like this - living in a modest house; his livelihood at a minimum, like a destitute and impoverished person - and engaging in all these great tasks. His social conduct was the establishment of truth, the establishment of justice, standing firm for the enforcement of divine law; truly, any intellect is bewildered in the face of this greatness and this power. What kind of person is this? This is different from spiritual ranks; it is political conduct. How did the politicians of the world and the rulers of the world live? How did Amir al-Mu'minin live? This is also an important chapter that has no parallel until today and will not have; the asceticism of Amir al-Mu'minin and his personal conduct and worship during his power. Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) was asked: O son of the Messenger of God! Why do you impose so much hardship on yourself, exert pressure, worship like this, practice asceticism like this, fast like this, endure hunger like this? Imam Sajjad wept and said: What I do compared to what my grandfather Amir al-Mu'minin did is nothing; my work is nothing compared to his work! This is very important. This is also the third chapter.

The fourth chapter is the goal that Amir al-Mu'minin had for the people during his governance, which is a very important and fundamental point. I want to emphasize this point a little. Amir al-Mu'minin said: If you obey me, I will lead you to paradise. The statement of Amir al-Mu'minin in the sermon of Nahj al-Balagha is: "If you obey me, I will carry you, God willing, on the path to paradise"; he said if you listen to what I say and act upon it, I will lead you to paradise, God willing; "and although this is a very difficult and bitter task"; this movement is not a small movement, it is not an easy movement; this is the goal of Amir al-Mu'minin. Leading people to paradise creates roles in the intellectual, spiritual, and social lives of people. I emphasize this point because sometimes it is heard that some people, when discussing guidance and the expression of religious truths and the like, say: Sir, are we obliged to lead people to paradise? Yes, indeed; yes, that is exactly it. The difference between an Islamic ruler and other rulers lies here: the Islamic ruler wants to do something that leads people to paradise; to true happiness and the hereafter; thus, he must pave the way. Here, the discussion is not about force and pressure and imposition; it is about helping. The human nature is inclined towards happiness; we must open the way; we must facilitate the work for people so that they can lead themselves to paradise; this is our duty, this is the task that Amir al-Mu'minin has taken upon himself and feels responsible for leading people to paradise.

The Islamic society is a society that, if it acts according to the material aspects of Islam, will undoubtedly reach the pinnacle; in terms of science, necessary industry, livelihood, social relations, dignity and public and national honor, and international standing, it will be at its peak; but this is not all the work, this is not all the goals. If our life in this world is good, but the moment of our death is a moment of misfortune and disgrace, what benefit is there? Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) in the supplication of Sahifa Sajjadiyya says: "O Lord! Take me from this world and let me die while being guided, not misguided; take me from this world and this realm while I willingly go to the other side." Who goes through this passage willingly? The one who is assured of what lies ahead. You saw our youth - the youth of your day - how fearlessly they entered the arenas of danger; [in] the very operations mentioned - whether in the region of Ilam, or in Khuzestan, or in the western provinces - where these youths went; what they did; they despised death; they belittled danger; [because] their hearts were familiar with the truths. When a person sees what lies ahead, sees that blessing, is assured of that side, he lives easily, sacrifices easily, endures difficulties easily, and steps into the valleys of danger and moves forward; this is the issue.

If we want to succeed in worldly objectives, we must strengthen our faith, our beliefs, and our actions for what lies beyond the borders of death. Amir al-Mu'minin says: I want to lead people to paradise; this is our duty. We must enjoin good and forbid evil, provide means for good deeds and virtues in the country, and remove the means of evil and calamities from access; these are the duties of the government officials.

Among the things that bring people closer to paradise is improving the livelihood of the people; poverty is close to disbelief. A society that has poverty, unemployment, insurmountable livelihood problems, class differences, discrimination, and class divides will not achieve a state of faith and tranquility. Poverty leads people to corruption, leads them to disbelief; poverty must be eradicated. Economic work, economic activity must be seriously placed in the programs of the officials, and today, thanks be to God, the officials are pursuing these matters. Thoughts must be organized, the path must be correctly identified, and we must move correctly.

We have stated "resilient economy"; resilient economy means that if we rely on internal forces, on the creativity of our youth, on the activity of minds and hands within, we will free ourselves from the pride and dependence on foreign enemies; this is the correct path. The meaning of resilient economy is that we should look for the endless capacities that exist within, identify them, and activate these capacities with correct and proper planning; these talents must be utilized. A day or two ago, I mentioned in a meeting; wherever we relied on the creativity and talents of our youth, that place suddenly blossomed like a spring; in matters related to nuclear issues, in matters related to pharmaceuticals, in various treatments, in stem cells, in nanotechnology, in these defense industrial programs, wherever we invested and relied on this internal young, interested, faithful, and sincere force, our work progressed; well, we should reach this. Economic issues are the same; economic capacities must be activated; this is the path to the country's progress. Then the country will progress both materially and economically, and in terms of international credibility, national dignity, and the self-confidence of the Iranian nation, as well as spiritually, morally, and psychologically. This is the path that Amir al-Mu'minin has laid before us. Then, looking at these truths, we understand what Imam said: "America cannot do a damn thing" means. America was mentioned as an example; yes, America cannot do a damn thing - just as it has not been able to until today - other powers are the same; they cannot do a damn thing either. This damn thing they cannot do is not just a military matter; in the comprehensive sense of the word, they cannot do a damn thing; they cannot bring the Iranian nation to its knees; they cannot hold the Iranian nation back in a way that they think will bring the Iranian nation to its knees; the Iranian nation will not kneel. We thank God that our nation is alive; we thank God that our youth are moving in the right direction. Some people, when they look at the youth, see a few rare aberrant examples; yes, there are aberrations - not that there are none - we are aware of that; but the general norm of the Iranian nation and our youth is a religious norm; a norm of devotion to religion, homeland, Islam, the Quran, spirituality, and nationality, and such things; this should not be forgotten or overlooked. Our youth, thanks be to God, are good youths. Among our duties is to help these youths remain good and progress well, and God willing, be beneficial for their country in goodness and perfection.

We hope that God Almighty is pleased with the pure spirit of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified). We hope that God Almighty is pleased with the sacred heart of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him), who is the spirit of the world of existence today, and may He make us worthy of the prayers of that great one, and God willing, may our dear martyrs be resurrected with the Prophet.

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