sahifeh-ye imam

In the Name of

Allah,

the Compassionate, the Merciful

5

SAHIFEH-YE

IMAM

An Anthology of Imam

Khomeinis

Speeches, Messages,

Interviews, Decrees,

Religious Permissions, and

Letters

Volume 15

June 30, 1981 – January 26, 1982

[Tir 9, 1360 – Bahman 6, 1360 AHS]

The Institute for Compilation and Publication

of Imam Khomeinis Works

(International Affairs Department)

7

Transliteration Symbols

Symbol Transliteration

() ,a, a ا ,ء

b ب

t ت

th ث

j ج

h ح

kh خ

d د

dh ذ

r ر

z ز

s س

sh ش

s ص

d ض

t ط

z ظ

ع

gh غ

f ف

q ق

k ك

l ل

m م

n ن

w و

h ه

y ي

ah ة

Long Vowels


a, A ا ,آ

i, I اى

u, U او

Short Vowels


a َا

i ِا

u ُا

Persian Letters


p پ

ch چ

zh ژ

g گ

Figure 1. Map of Iran

Note:

For easy access to particular topics, please refer to Sahifeh-ye

Imam, volume 22, which includes:

Indexes to subjects, persons, places, historical events, Quranic

verses and Prophetic narrations, poems, and detailed subjects of the

first 21 volumes.

i

Table of Contents

6/30/1981 Message to the Iranian nation respected families of the martyrs of Tir 7:

Martyrdom of 72 companions of the Imam and the nation 1

6/30/1981 Message to Yasir Arafat (Head of the Executive Committee of the

Palestine Liberation Organization): Response to message of condolence on

martyrdom of Dr. Mustafa Chamran 4

7/1/1981 Statements to the Leadership Council of the Amal Movement (of Lebanon): Discord in the name of Arab

& Non-Arab 5

7/1/1981 Speech to the ulama of Tehran: Tribute to Martyr Beheshti and the other

Martyrs of the 7th Tir Tragedy; Defining duties of the ulama, officials and

the people under the present juncture 6

On martyrdom of friends

Islam is dearer than everything

Enemy plot to osteracize the ulama

Islam, the great trust of God

Calling on people to participate activity in the elections

Need for people to oversee performance of politicians

Beheshti was a nation

Islam without ulama is like medicine without physicians

7/2/1981 Speech to the families of the martyrs of 7th of Tir catastrophe and the

members of the Jomhouri Islami Party central committee: Enemys

objective is to eliminate committed forces; Need for alertness of the nation

and heeding the countrys crucial issues 18

Enemys main objective to eliminate committed persons

Need to remain alert in face of saboteurs plots and to turn them in

Concern for the war, conscious participation in the elections

Hypocrites, residues of the U.S.

Advise to those deceived by the hypocrites

7/3/1981 Message to Moammar Qadhafi (Libyan President): Response to

condolence message on disastrous explosion of Islamic Republic Partys

Headoffice 27

7/3/1981 Message to Yasir Arafat (Leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation

– PLO) 28

7/3/1981 Decree to Sayyid Musa Namju: Appointment of Imam Khomeinis advisor to the Supreme Defence

Council 29

7/8/1981 Message to Theodore Zhikov (?) (Bulgarian president): Response to the

condolence cable on the blast at the Islamic Republic HQ 30

7/9/1981 Message to Brigadier General Waliyullah Fallahi; (Deputy Joint Chief of

Staff of the Army of Islamic Republic of Iran): Victories of Islams army

against the aggressor Iraqi forces at the Nowsud Front 31

7/11/1981 Message to Hafiz al-Asad (President of the Republic of Syria): Reply to a

message of condolence on the tragedy of explosion at the head office of

the Islamic Republic Party 34

ii

7/11/1981 Decree to Musawi Ardebili, Sayyid Abdul-Karim (Judiciary Chief):

Amensty of 126 prisoners 35

7/11/1981 Message to Leoneid Brejenaf (Chief of Presidium of the Soviet Union):

Reply to a message of condolence on the tragedy of the explosion at the

head office of the Islamic Republic Party 36

7/11/1981 Message to Henric Yabloveski (President of Poland): Reply to a message

of condolence on the tragedy of the explosion at the head office of the

Islamic Republic Party 37

7/11/1981 Message to Qadi Abdus-Sattar (Acting President of the Republic of

Bangladesh): Reply to a message of congratulation on the occasion of

blessed month of Ramadan 38

7/12/1981 Message to Dak Wonam (?) (Prime Minister of Korea): Reply to a

message of condolence on the tragedy of the explosion at the head office

of the Islamic Republic Party 39

7/12/1981 Message to Shadhli Bin Jadid (the President of the Republic of Algeria):

Reply to a message of congratulation on the occasion of the blessed month

of Ramadan 40

1981 Letter to Muhammad Cheraghi (a student): Imam Khomeinis response to

letter of a student calling for contribution to the war front 41

7/23/1981 Decree to Muhammad-Ali Saduqi: appointing reperesentative of Imam of

the headquaters supervising the election of Supreme judgical Court 42

7/24/1981 Decree to Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardebili (Chief of the Judiciary):

Amnesty of prisoners 43

7/27/1981 Message to Shaykh Bin Zaid Sultan Al-i Nahyan (President of UAE):

Reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the occasion of Feast of Fitr 44

? Message to Alyas Sarkis (President of Lebanon): Reply to a telegraph of

congratulation on the occasion of Feast of Fitr 45

? Message to Diya Ar-Rahman (President of Bangladesh): Reply to a

telegraph of congratulation on the occasion of Feast of Fitr 46

? Message to Bishop Hilaryon Kapochi: Reply to a telegraph of

congratulation on the occasion of Feast of Fitr 47

7/29/1981 Decree to Muhammad Saduqi (representative of Imam Khomeini and

Friday Prayer leader of Yazd): Attending to and meeting the need of the

earthquake-striken people of Kerman Province 48

7/29/1981 Message to Khalifah Bin Hamad the second (Emir of Qatar): Reply to a

message of congratulation on the occasion of Feast of Fitr 49

7/29/1981 Message to Ahmad Sokerto (President of the Republic of Guinea): Reply

to a message of congratulation on the occasion of Feast of Fitr 50


message of congratulation on the occasion of Feast of Fitr 51

7/30/1981 Message to Mamun Abdul-Qayyum (President of Maldives): Reply to a

telegraph of congratulation on the occasion of Feast of Fitr 52

8/1/1981 Message to Muslims and oppressed people of Iran and the world: Muslims

of the world should wake up to rise up against imperialism and Zionism53

8/1/1981 Decree to Sayyid Abdulkarim Musawi Ardebili (Chief of the Judiciary):


8/1/1981 Message to Ali Nasir Muhammad (President of the southern Republic of

Yemen): Reply to a message of congratulation on the occasion of Feast of

Fitr 58

8/1/1981 Message to Qazi Abdus-Sattar (Acting President of Bangladesh): Reply to

message of congratulation on the occasion of auspicious Feast of Fitr 59

iii

8/2/1981 Decree to Iranian nation; President Muhammad-Ali Rajai: Ratification of

President Muhammad-Ali Rajais presidential credentials 60

8/2/1981 Speech to Sayyid Ali Khamenei (Tehran Friday Prayer Leader, Imams

representative at the Supreme Council Defense and MP from Tehran),

Messrs Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (Parliament Speaker); Sayyid Abdul-

Karim Musawi-Ardebili (chief justice); Deputy Joint Chief of Staff

Waliyullah Fallahi; Defense Minister and Commander of the Air Force,

Javad Fakuri; Navy Commander Bahram Afdali; Army Commander

Qasim-Ali Zahirnejad; Gendarmerie Commander Foruzan; Tehran Police

Chief; Guardian Council members and Majlis deputies: Advice to

the president and other government officials; highlighting the grave

mission of the president in the face of the peoples vote 62

Advice to the President and Officials

Insuceptibility to posts and presidencies

Presidents responsibility towards peoples vote

No excuse acceptable from officials in serving the nation

Advice to saboteurs and wrong-doers

8/3/1981 Message to Ali Nasir Muhammad (President of the Republic of

SouthYemen): Reply to a message of condolence on the earthquake of

Kerman 69

8/3/1981 Decree to Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardebili (Chief of Judiciary):


8/4/1981 Message to Khalid Bin Abdul-Aziz (King of Saudi Arabia): Reply to a

message of congratulation on the occasion of the auspicious Feast of Fitr

71

8/6/1981 Message to Shadhli Bin Jadid (the president of Algeria): Reply to a


72


Bangladesh Reply to a message of condolence on the earthquake of

Kerman 73

8/6/1981 Message to Leoned Berjenef (of the republics of the Soviet Union): Reply

to a message of condolence on the earthquake of Kerman 74

8/6/1981 Message to Shadhli Bin Jadid (President of the Republic of Algeria):

Reply to a message of condolence on the earthquake of Kerman 75

8/8/1981 Message to Ahmad Sokoroto (President of the Republic of Guinea): Reply


8/8/1981 Message to Paul Lausinis (President of the Republic of Hungary): Reply


8/10/1981 Message to Yasir Arafat (President of PLO): Reply to a message of

congratulation on the occasion of the auspicious Feast of Fitr 78

8/10/1981 Message to Theodore Chekef (President of the Republic of Bulgaria):

Reply to a message of condolence on the earthquake of Kerman 79

8/10/1981 Speech to Members of Iranian students Islamic Associations in Europe;

members of Islamic Association of Tehran and Vicinity Bus Service

Company: Complications within the Islamic Revolution in Iran compared

to other revolutions 80

Comparing shortcomings of the Islamic revolution with other revolutions

The nation should feel responsible for the countrys affairs

Hypocrites useless efforts in creating terror and intimidation

Nations resistance against internal and external pressures

iv

Peoples duty in identifying and turning in saboteurs

Necessity of peoples cooperation with the government in removing the problem

8/12/1981 Speech to Muin-Pur (subsititute commander of the air force) and new

commanders of the air bases of the country: The nations appreciation of

the armed forces 90

8/13/1981 Message to Soharto (President of the Republic of Indonesia): Reply to a


91

8/13/1981 Permission to Dhul-Qadr, Sayyid Mustafa: permission on financial affairs and collecting religious dues

92

8/18/1981 Speech to Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders from all

over the country, members of IRGC Supreme Council, high school

teachers from all over the country, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting

(IRIB) managers, members of IRIB Supervision Council, and members of

IRIB Islamic Association: Invincibility of the Iranian nation and the need

for their alertness in confrontation with plots; advice for the armed forces

and certain guidelines for them 93

Young students, trusts in the hands of teachers

Necessity of observing hierarchy in IRGC and other armed forces

Nations steadfastness against all powers

Internal enemies at the end of their tether

Islam, a trust in the nations hands

Advising the nation to be alert

Protecting Islam and peoples lives, a must

8/22/1981 Speech to President Muhammad-Ali Rajai, Prime Minister Muhammad-

Jawad Bahonar and cabinet members: Government officials duties in an

Islamic political system and the need for purging the disqualified figures

from government centers 102

Comparison between officials in former and present regime

Serving the nation, best way to appreciate their selfless efforts

Purge the ministries and embassies from incompetent personnel

1981 Decree to Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardebili (Chief Justice):

Amnesty of prisoners ……… 107

8/24/1981 Speech to Muwahhidi Kermani (Imam Khomeinis representative at City

Police Force) and the police personnel, Members of Islamic Students

Association abroad: Injustice of the powers and Iranian peoples inocence

Unfounded accusations against the Islamic establishment 108

Great victories along with innocence

Accusing revolutionary Iran of having relations with Israel

US support for Munafeqin (hypocrite)

8/29/1981 Decree to Sayyid Hashem Rasuli Mahallati: Appointment of Imam

Khomeinis representative at the Islamic Revolution Housing Foundation

113

8/31/1981 Speech to people from all walks of life: Praising the personality of martyrs

Rajai and Bahonar and the nations steadfastness in perpetuating the

revolution 114

In mourning for martyrs Rajai and Bahonar

Hypocrites incentives for assassinations

Solidarity of the Iranian government and nation

Wretched and inhumane conduct of hypocrites

v

9/1/1981 Message to Muhammad Dhiya al-Haqq (President of the Republic of

Pakistan): Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs:

Rajai and Bahonar 119

9/1/1981 Message to Shafiq Alwazan (Spokesperson to congress of Lebanon):

Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and

Bahonar 120

9/1/1981 Message to Rashid Said al-Maktum (vice-president of UAE): Reply to a

telegraph of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and Bahonar

121

9/1/1981 Message to Ilyas Sarkis (President of the Republic of Lebanon): Reply to a

message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and Bahonar 122

9/1/1981 Speech to different strata of the people, Muslims of Pakistans Islamic

organization: Harmony of the oppressed nations in the face of

superpowers-growing awareness of the nation in the face of the plots 123

Harmony of Muslims and the oppressed people of the world in the face of superpowers

Non-dependence of the Islamic revolution on a particular power or group

Growth of commitment and wakefulness of the nation in the face of

assassination

Observing Islamic-legal standards with regard to POWs and prisoners

9/2/1981 Message to Erich Honker (President of East Germany): Reply to a

message of condolence on the martyrdom of Rajai and Bahonar 127

9/2/1981 Message to Marashi Najafi, Sayyid Shahabuddin (one of the religious

reference authority): Reply to a telegraph of condolence on the martyrdom

of Rajai and Bahonar 128


message of condolence on the martyrdom of Rajai and Bahonar 129

9/3/1981 Message to Ahmad Sokoroto (President of Guinea): Reply to a message of

condolence on the martyrdom of Rajai and Bahonar 130

9/3/1981 Message to Ali Nasir Muhammad (President of the Republic of South

Yemen): Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messr:


9/3/1981 Message to Shaykh Zaid Sultan al-Nahiyan (President of UAE): Reply to

a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar

132


Bangladesh): Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of

Messrs Rajai and Bahonar 133

9/3/1981 Message to Haksi Shi (the chairperson of the peoples assembly of the

republic of Albania): Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom

of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar 134

9/3/1981 Message to Leoned Berjenef (chairperson of the presidency of the Soviet

Union)—Nikoliya Tikhanof (Prime Minister): Reply to a message of

condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and Bahonar 135

9/3/1981 Message to Indra Gandhi (Prime Minister of India): Reply to a message of

condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar 136

9/3/1981 Message to Paul Losoniz (President of the Republic of Hungary): Reply to

a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar

137

9/3/1981 Message to Dam Mintif (Prime Minister of Malta): Reply to a message of

condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar 138

vi

9/3/1981 Message to Si Wasghar Makolam (?) (Prime Minister of Mauricious): Reply to a message of condolence

on the martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and

Bahonar 139

9/3/1981 Statements to brother and family of Martyr Rajai (President of the Islamic

Republic of Iran) child and family of martyr Bahonar (Prime Minister):

Expressing condolence to the families of the martyrs Rajai and Bahonar

140

9/4/1981 Message to Muammar al-Gaddafi (President of Libya): Reply to a

message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar

141

9/5/1981 Message to Muhammad Zayad Bareh (President of the Republic of

Somali): Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs


9/5/1981 Message to Kim Ayel Sonag (?) (President of the Republic of North

Korea): Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs


9/6/1981 Message to Muslims of the world and pilgrims to Mecca: Explaining the

philosophy and secrets of hajj 144

9/6/1981 Message to Iranian nation: Paying homage to the martyrs: Ali Quddusi

(prosecutor general of the revolution) Wahid Dastjerdi (Police governor)

148

9/6/1981 Message to Abdur-Rauf al-Qasim (Prime Minister of Syria): Reply to

message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and Bahonar

150

9/6/1981 Message to Shadhli Bin Jadid (President of the Republic of Algeria):

Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and

Bahonar 151

9/6/1981 Message to Muhammad Bin Abdul-Aziz (Prime Minister of Algeria):

Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and Bahonar

152

9/6/1981 Message to Shaykh Khalifah Bin Hamad Al-i Thani (Emir of Qatar):

Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and Bahonar

153

9/6/1981 Message to Sohrato (President of Indonesia): Reply to message of


9/6/1981 Message to Yeah Chin Aryang (President of the National Committee of

China): Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs:


9/6/1981 Message to Henrik Yablovesky (?) (President of the Republic of Poland)

and Wajessic Yarozanesky (?) (Prime Minister): Reply to a message of


9/6/1981 Message to Tarong Shin (President of Vietnam)-Mam Wan Dong (Prime

Minister): Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs:


9/6/1981 Message to Anton Bretrick (?) (President of the Republic of Malta): Reply

to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and

Bahonar 158

9/6/1981 Statements to members of the headquarters for commemorating the Week

of War: Participation of all combatant groups in ceremonies commemorating the Week of War

159

vii

9/7/1981 Speech to Muhammad-Rida Mahdawi Kani (Prime Minister) and the

cabinet: Stability of Islamic establishment and its invecibility to

assassinations 160

The system holds its ground in the wake of assassination

Martyrdom of dignitaries makes people more integrated

Enemies of Islam becoming Islamologist

Enemys anger is common

Iran, the most stable country

9/8/1981 Message to Iranian nation: Commemorating the epic event of 17 Shahrivar

and resistance of the nation against plots 166

9/8/1981 Message to Fidel Castro (President of the Republic of Cuba): Reply to

message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar

168

9/8/1981 Speech to Sayyid Ali Khamenei (secretary general of the Islamic

Republic Party) members of the central council of the Islamic Republic

Party: Accomplishment of the martyrdom and sufferings of the

revolution

169

Accomplishment of martyrdom and sufferings of the revolution

Martyrdom of Martyr Beheshti and its impact

Despair of the enemy and the commencement of explosions

9/9/1981 Letter to Sayyid Shahab ad-Din Marashi Najafi (among Marja-e Taqlid,

(source of following): Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom

of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar 174

9/9/1981 Speech to Imams of Khorasan groups-the clergy of Raye city and the

clergy of the caravans of hajj (pilgrimage) to the holy house of God:

Conspiracies of the colonialists against clercal institution-advices to the

clergy 175

Exploration of the countrys resources by colonial governments

Plot to isolate the clergy

Plan to separate the clergies from politics

Fear of enemies of Islam of the clergies

Interference of the prophets with acute political problems

Reform of society, aim of all prophets

Need to strengthen theological seminaries and jurisprudence

9/10/1981 Message to Haj Sheiho Shagari (President of Nigeria): Reply to message

of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar 186

9/10/1981 Message to Toai Dour Chekiv (President of the Republic of Bulgaria) -

Gerisha Philipov (Prime Minister): Reply to message of condolence on the

martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar 187

9/10/1981 Message to Khoilo Saz Topi Ayala (?) (President of Colombia): Reply to message of condolence on the

martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and Bahonar

188

9/11/1981 Decree to Muhsin Ridai: Appointment of commander of the Sepah-e

Pasdaran 189

9/12/1981 Message to Iranian nation: Commemorating the ―Martyr of the Altar‖,

Friday prayer leader of Tabriz—highlighting the American crimes 190

9/12/1981 Decree to Waliyullah Fallahi (deputy commander of joint chief of staff of

the armed forces): approving change in professions and appointing

officers of the air force 193

? Letter to Sayyid Muhammad-Rida Golpayegani (prominent Marja-e

Taqlid, source of following): Performance of the judiciary and approving

of Mr. Musawi Ardebili 194

viii

9/13/1981 Message to Yotseh Daniel (?) (President of the Republic of Mongolia)—

Batmonokh (?) (Prime Minister): Reply to message of condolence on the

martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and Bahonar 195

9/14/1981 Telegraph to Sayyid Muhammad-Rida Golpaygani (among Marja-e

Taqlid, source of following): Reply to a telegraph of condolence on the

death of Shahabuddin Ishraqi 196

9/14/1981 Telegraph to Sayyid Shahabuddin Marashi Najafi (among Marja-e

Taqlid, source of religious following): Reply to a telegraph of condolence on the death of Shahabuddin

Ishraqi 197

9/14/1981 Telegraph to Sayyid Abdullah Shirazi: Reply to a telegraph of condolence

on the death of Shahabuddin Ishraqi 198

9/15/1981 Decree to Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardebili (judicial chief):


9/16/1981 Message to Moboto Si Si Soko (?) (President of Zaire): Reply to message

of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and Bahonar 200

9/16/1981 Message to John Du Howan (?) (President of the Republic of South

Korea): Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs:


9/17/1981 Message to Ahmad Sokorto (?) (President of the Republic of Guinea):

Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Friday prayer leader

of Tabriz, Aqa Sayyid Asadullah Madani 202

9/17/1981 Message to Iranian nation and Muslims and Liberal people of the world:

A look into the causes and dimensions of the imposed war, Saddams

crimes with the protection of big powers 203

9/21/1981 Message to Ali Abdullah Salih (President of the Republic of Yemen):

Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs Rajai and

Bahonar 207

9/22/1981 Message to High school and university students, the youth, teachers and

professors: Effects and consequences of independent versus dependent

culture 208

9/23/1981 Letter to Sayyid Abdullah Shirazi: 212

9/24/1981 Message to the nation of Iran: On the threshold of the presidential election

of the republic 213

9/25/1981 Decree to Husayn-Ali Muntaziri: Approving the eligibility of the volunteering judges for the

membership of Supreme Judiciary Council 216

9/26/1981 Permission to Musawi Sarhaddi Sayyid Husayn: Permission for financial

and religious affairs 217

9/27/1981 Letter to Waliyullah Zahir-Nezhad Fallahi, Qasim, Muhsin Ridai

(commanders of the army and the Sepah): Breaking the siege of Abadan

and Imams appreciation of the Islamic combatants 218

9/28/1981 Letter to Sayyid Abdullah Shirazi: Reply to a message of congratulation

on breaking the siege of Abadan by the Islamic combatants 220

9/29/1981 Speech to different strata of people-representatives of the Islamic farming

councils all over the country: the harmony of the nation in the face of

assassination of figures-the concern about agriculture-participation in

election 221

The blood of the martyrs revives Islam

Farming is the Prophets profession

The importance of the republic presidential election

9/30/1981 Message to Iranian nation: Martyrdom of some combatants and some

military commanders (martyrs: Fallahi, Namju, Fakuri and Kolahduz) in

an air crash 225

ix

10/1/1981 Decree Qasim-Ali Zahir-Nejad: Appointment of chief of the army joint

committee 227

10/1/1981 Decree to Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (chairman of the supreme council of

defense): appointment of commander-in-chief of the infantry 228

10/2/1981 Telegraph to Sayyid Muhammad Rida Golpayegani (a great religious

authority): A reply to condolence telegraph on the martyrdom of military

commanders in the aircraft crash 229

10/3/1981 Speech to members of the supreme council of defense and military

commanders: Independence and freedom in the way of maintaining unity

and understanding 230

Nation and army must back each other

10/4/1981 Letter to board of supervision of the election of the membership of the

judicial supreme council: Approval of the nominees for the membership of

the judicial supreme council 232

10/4/1981 Statements to representatives of organization of the Islamic revolution

Mujahidin (holy fighters): the importance of having understanding with

respect to fundamentals of religion 233

Understanding with groups that believe in the pillars of the system

Be careful in selecting members

10/5/1981 Statements to governor-deputies of the governor of Tehran: the necessity

to pay attention to poor areas 235

10/6/1981 Message to Muammr Qadhdhafi (the leader of Libya): a reply to the

message of condolences on the martyrdom of a group of commanders and

the martyrdom of Mr. Hashemi Nejad 236

10/7/1981 Message to Shadhli bin Jadid (the president of the republic of Algeria): a

reply to the message of condolences on the martyrdom of a group of

commanders in the aircraft accident 237

10/7/1981 Message to Qadi Abdus-Sattar (acting president of the republic of

Bangladesh): a reply to the message of condolences on the martyrdom of a

group of commanders in the aircraft accident 238

10/9/1981 Message to Iranian nation and Muslims of the world: the need to mobilize world Muslims in order to

make the word of Islam prevail 239

10/9/1981 Decree to Iranian nation: putting into effect the decree of the presidency of

Aqa Khamenei 240

10/9/1981 Speech to Sayyid Ali Khamenei -authorities of the country and the army:

a comparison between the Islamic system and other systems of government- a recommendation to

Islamic countries and nations 243

A comparison between the Islamic system and other systems of

government

Advise to the Islamic countries to trust in God

A call upon the Egyptian and Iraqi people to rise up

Advice to the youth to be independent in thinking

10/10/1981 Message to Hafiz al-Asad (the president of Syria): a reply to message of

congratulation on the Feast of Qurban 249

10/10/1981 Message to Khalid ibn Abdul-Aziz (King of Saudi Arabia): a reply-a

criticism of the result of what Saudi Arabian officials do 250

10/10/1981 Message to Shaykh Zaid ibn Sultan Al-i Nahyan (the president of United

Arab Emirates): a reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the feast of

Qurban (the big feast of Muslims) 253

x

10/10/1981 Message to Mamun Abdul-Qayyum (the president of Maldives): a reply

to a telegraph of congratulation on the feast of Qurban 254

10/10/1981 Message to Ali Nasr Muhammad (the president of the republic of South

Yemen): a reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the feast of Qurban

255

10/11/1981 Letter to Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (chairman of the Islamic consultative

council): Laying down laws must be based on the secondary rules by the

Islamic consultative council 256

10/11/1981 Message Suharto (the president of the republic of Indonesia): A reply to a

telegraph of congratulation on the feast of Qurban 258

10/11/1981 Message to Shadhli bin Jadid (the president of the republic of Algeria): A

reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the feast of Qurban 259

10/11/1981 Message to Muhammad Abdul-Aziz (the president of the revolutions

council of the democratic republic of Sahara): a reply to a telegraph of

congratulation on the feast of Qurban 260

10/11/1981 Message to Qadi Abdus-Sattar (vice-president of the republic of

Bangladesh): a reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the feast of

Qurban 261

10/13/1981 Decree to Akbar Hashemi Rafasnjani: Appointment of a representative in

the defense high council 262

10/13/1981 Message to Khalifah ibn Hamad ath-Thani (Emir of Qatar): a reply to a

telegraph of congratulation on the feast of Qurban 263

10/13/1981 Message to Rashid bin Said al-Maktum (vice president of the government

of the president of the cabinet of Dubai): a reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the feast of Qurban

264

10/13/1981 Message to Hamid ibn Muhammad al-Sharqi (the governor of Fujira): a

reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the feast of Qurban 265

1981 Reply to a religious query: A reply to a query concerning the criteria for

recognizing a topic and evidence 266

10/14/1981 Statements to delegations members headed for India and Pakistan and the

participants in the inter-parliamentary conference: the necessity for propaganda in order to export the

revolution 267

10/15/1981 Decree: Permission to make use of the leaderships authorities in military

missions and duties 268

10/15/1981 Speech to Ali Akbar (minister of education and training) and heads of all

education and training all over the country: Struggle toward cultural

independence 269

The importance of education and training

Faith in oneself and cultural independence

10/17/1981 Letter to Sayyid Muhammad-Rida Golpaygani (one the greatest religious

reference authority): the limitations of the authorities of the Islamic

consultative council in laying down laws based on the primary and

secondary rules 271

10/18/1981 Speech to Mahdi Karrubi (Imams representatives and the head of the

Martyrs foundation)—members of the Islamic association of the parents

of martyrs families in the central province, Chaharmahal and Bekhtiyari,

Zarand and Kuhban Kerman: the conspiracy of World Amnesty- an honor

to the nation 273

Expressing appreciation for the loyalty of the families of the great martyrs

International organizations and their defense of villains and murderers

The uprising of nations is inspired by the revolution

xi

The miracle of the heroic nation of Iran

10/21/1981 Statements to Fadlullah Mahalati (Imams representative in Revolutionary

Guard)- Muhsin Ridayi (Commander-in-Chief of Revolutionary Guard

Pasdaran) and the central Revolutionary Guard council: notification about

the duties of Pasdaran Revolutionary Guard of the Islamic revolution 278

It is necessary that the revolutionary guard follow the Islamic jurists more

The necessity to maintain the reputation of Revolutionary Guard

Oct. 1981 Decree to Husayn Mehrpur (deputy secretary of the Guardian Council):

rejection of the resignation of Aqa Lutfullah Safi from the guardian

council 280

10/24/1981 Permission to Sayyid Jawad Khorramshahi: permission to take religious

funds 281

10/26/1981 Message to Haj Shaykh Shajari (the president of the republic of Nigeria):

a reply to a telegraph of congratulations on the happy feast of Qurban 282

10/26/1981 Speech to preachers and sermon-givers in Tehran and Qum-members of

the Islamic propaganda office of Qum and members of the Tehrans

municipality Islamic Association): preserving the system of the Islamic

republic 283

The importance of preserving the system of the Islamic republic

The role of the clergies in persevering and keeping up the uprising

Preserving Islam is the highest duty

Keeping Muharram and the ordeals of the household alive

Scientific religious centers and the question of judgeship

Criticism with ulterior motives against the Islamic republic

Duty of the clergies and clinching the issue by God

1981 Permission to Sayyid Hasan Nasrullah-Lebanon: permission to financial

and religious affairs 292

10/28/1981 Speech to members of Amal movement organization: uncompromising

stance toward the superpowers and Irans protection of Palestinian and

Lebanese nations 293

No compromise with any of the superpowers

10/29/1981 Message to Shaykh Zaid bin Sultan Al-i Nahyan (the president of United

Arab Emirates): a reply to a telegraph of congratulations on the new AH

year 295

10/29/1981 Message to Shaykh Khalifah ibn Hamad ath-Thani (Emir of Qatar): a reply

to a telegraph of congratulations on the new AH year 296

10/29/1981 Message to Ali Nasir Muhammad (the president of the republic of

Southern Yemen): a reply to a telegraph of congratulations on the new AH

year 297

10/30/1981 Letter to Sayyid Abdullah Shirazi: efforts of the crooked to smear the

reputation of the clergies 298

10/31/1981 Message to Mamun Abdulgayum (the president of Maldives): a reply to a

telegraph of congratulations on the new AH year 299

11/2/1981 Exhortation to rising up for the sake of God, the eternal exhortation of the

Quran: 300

11/3/1981 Message to the Union of Islamic Students in America and Canada:

explaining the mission of Muslims students abroad 301

Islamic Students Union in America and Canada

xii

11/8/1981 Message to Shadhli bin Jadid (the president of the republic of Algeria): a

reply to a telegraph of congratulations on the new AH year 303

11/8/1981 Message to Muhammad Abdul-Aziz (the chief of the council of

commanders of the republic of Sahara): a reply to a message of

condolences and sympathy of the martyrdom of a group of military

commanders 304

11/12/1981 Decree to Muslim Malakuti: appointment of Tabriz Friday prayer leader

305

11/14/1981 Speech to Sayyid Ali Khamenei (the president of the republic) - Mir

Husayn Musawi (prime minister), members of the cabinet: the need to

maintain harmony and solidarity between the government and the nation

306

Maintaining the existing solidarity between the nation and the government

Success in serving the people is a divine gift

The prophets and the spirit of serving

11/15/1981 Speech to Abdulmajid Maadi Khah (Minister of Islamic Guidance)

members of the Islamic Propaganda Coordination Council of honoring

committee of 22 Bahman: the importance of propaganda and the need for

coordination among propaganda institutions 311

Propaganda, the basis of harmony in a nation

11/16/1981 Speech to the officials of Martyrs foundation throughout the whole

country-the injured and the disabled in Imam Khomeini and Mustafa

Khomeini hospitals- the families of the martyrs in Karaj Province: the

importance of maintaining the Islamic republic- the role of the clergies

throughout history- the treacherous plan of compromising with Israel 313

The death of Alamah Tabatabai is a great loss for Muslims

The importance of maintaining the Islamic republic

The struggle of the clergies against colonization

The fear of dispute among the committed groups

A warning against Fahads plan

A compromise with Israel is treason to Islam

11/19/1981 Statements to clergies and representatives of revolutions institutions of

Javanravad: preserving the Islamic republic 321

11/20/1981 Permission to Haydar Ali Jawadi: permission to take religious funds 322

11/20/1981 Permission to Sayyid Ali Akbar Muhtashami: permission to take religious

funds 323

11/22/1981 Decree to Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardabili (chief of the high court

of cessation): granting amnesty to convicts 324

11/23/1981 Speech to Sayyid Abdul-Husayn Dastghayb (the Imams representative

and Shiraz Friday prayer leader) and Friday prayer leaders in the

provinces of Fars, Bushehr, Kohkiluyah Buyer-Ahmad: the conspiracy to

create internal dispute to do away with the Islamic Republic 325

The conspiracy to create dispute between the people and the clergies

Dramatizing the weak points by the enemies

11/24/1981 Speech to different classes of people-officials foundation of the poor and

the war-torn, the disabled, the displaced and the social and political deputy

xiii

of the minister of interior: the need to investigate and solve the problems

of war displaced 328

The change in the nation is by the prescient God

The ability to bear financial problems

The value of working for the poor and the war-affected

11/25/1981 Message to mobilized forces and the nation of Iran: the necessity to keep

and safeguard Islam and the Islamic country 331

11/26/1981 Decree to Muhammad Mahdi Dastghayb: appointment of superintendence

of the holy threshold of Hadrat Ahmad ibn Musa ibn Jafar (Shahchirag)

and Hardrat Mir Sayyid Muhammad in Shiraz 334

11/26/1981 Statements to Izadi (Friday prayer leader in Najafabad) and the officials of

the city: efforts in the way of overcoming problems and keeping the spirit

of unity 335

11/26/1981 Statements to Mustafa Muhaqqiq Damad (the chairman of the

organization of inspection in the whole country): the priority to look into

the institutions of the revolution 336

11/28/1981 Statements to Sayyid Husayn Musawi Tabrizi (high court of the

revolution)—Muslim Malakuti (representative of Imam and Friday prayer

leader in Tabriz)—Angaji, Garori, Ashrafi and Muhaddithi: the need for

consultation in tasks 337

11/29/1981 Message to Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Qasim Zahir Najad, Ali Sayyid

Shirazi, Ali- Muhsin Ridai: the victory of the Islamic army in the fronts

338

12/1/1981 Speech to Muhammad Saduqi (the representative of Imam and Friday

prayer leader in Yazd)—Ruhullah Khatami (Friday prayer leader in

Ardakan), Friday prayer leaders in the provinces of Yazd and Hormozgan

and Sunnite Friday prayer leaders in the south of the country: features of

the Islamic revolution, harmony between the nation and the government—

recommendations to the religious authorities 340

Unique revolution

Advice to the clergies to guide people and being of the same opinion with

the government

The conspiracy of collecting weapons by groups

12/2/1981 Speech to students at the officers college-members of the logistics of the

infantry, personnel of Tehran airfield, Shiraz air base and the guard’s

revolutionary Guard of the Islamic revolution: an analysis of the results

and blessings of the war-an advice to the Iraqi army and the governments

of the region 343

A focus on the results of the war

The heroic fighters demonstrate the invulnerable nature of the revolution

Unseen support for the Islamic fighters

An advice to the Iraqi army and governments of the region

The need to avoid disunity

12/4/1981 Decree to Mir-Husayn Musawi: appointment of a chairman for the

foundation of the poor 348

12/7/1981 Decree to the public prosecutor of the supreme judicial court of the whole

country: the need to check the obstinate acts of irresponsible individuals

12/8/1981 Statements to members of the society of teachers of the scientific religious

centers in Qum: essential changes in universities 350

12/9/1981 Speech to Sayyid Ali Khamenei (the president of the republic and Friday

prayer leader of Tehran; members of the organizing committee of the

xiv

Friday prayer in Tehran; students of Tarbiyat Muallim; graduates of

Philippines Muslims; some Muslims from southeast Asia; workers of Iran

Radio and TV broadcast; Personnel of the air force-Sunni clergies from

Afghanistan: description of the mission and functions of the religious

scientific study centers in the Islamic system 351

The need to change the scientific religious study centers and universities

The ineligibility of the majority of judges in former regimes

Efforts of former regime to implant dispute among the people

The need to train a Judge and a missionary in the religious study centers

Studying as a preliminary step toward preaching and admonishing the

people

Quran is the richest book in the world in terms of education and training

Friday prayer leaders should explain socio-political issues

12/11/1981 Message the nation of Iran: the martyrdom of the representative of Imam

and Friday prayer leader of Shiraz 356

12/12/1981 Message to Ali Sayyid Shirazi (commander-in chief of the infantry);

Muhsin Ridai (commander-in chief of the revolutionary Guard): the

victories of the army of Islam around Gilan-e Gharb and Sarpol Zuhab

359

12/12/1981 Speech to Ali Akbar Natiq Nuri (representative of the Islamic

consultative council); Dawudi (head of physical training) and members of the free National wrestling

team of Iran: advice and guideline to champions

360

Champions focus on Islam

12/12/1981 Speech to Friday prayer leaders in Samnan Province: Opposing the

superpowers through the institution of the clergy-recommendations to the

Friday prayer leader 361

Martyr dastaghib was an upright man and a mentor of morality

Eliminating the clergies to exploit the poor

It is God that promises victory

12/13/1981 Speech to board of trustee of the national university and the heads of the

various faculties and the hospitals affiliated to this university: the place

and role of the university in the country 364

The need to reform the universities

Honor and power in the security of independence

Freedom from dependence lies in self-belief

The role of the universities in preserving the independence of the country

Liberation from the foreign domination is the most important accomplishment of the revolution

12/14/1981 Decree to Sayyid Husayn Tahiri Khoramabad: the appointment of the

representative of the revolutionary guards 369

12/16/1981 Speech to commanders and chiefs of the committee of political ideology;

graduates of the gendarme college-council of the unity of Faiziaya

University-Aqa Musawi Tabrizi (supreme court of the revolution);

personnel and judges of the supreme court of the revolution; employees of

the administration of guidance and selection of human forces; officials and

artists of the Buhyari air force academy; fighters heading for war fronts: Islamic countries are at the root of the problems of Muslims 370

A complaint against the Islamic countries

A call for nation to rise up against Israel

A cry of hypocrisy from the center of revelation

Islamic governments as the root of problems of Muslims

xv

The country is a manifestation of Gods light

12/23/1981 Decree to Muhammad-Rida Mahdawi Kani: appointment to the

membership of the Cultural Revolution committee 375

12/23/1981 Decree to Ahmad Ahmadi: appointment to the membership of the Cultural

Revolution committee 376

12/28/1981 Message to academicians, officials and students of Teachers education

centers: the attack of the superpowers on the culture and literature of the

country 377

12/28/1981 Speech to the families of the martyrs of 7 Tir (the tragedy of the explosion

of the head office of the Islamic republic party)-officials of the education

of the illiteracy movement - students of officers college affiliated with

national defense bases in German: the need to have all the strata of people

contribute to furthering the goals 379

Contributing is the duty of everyone

Reminding all the strata to maintain law

The only duty of the Islamic associations is guidance

Unity of expression of word is the basis for the progress of the nation

Unity of the Islamic government makes for self-sufficiency

12/29/1981 Speech to Friday prayer leaders in the provinces of Bakhtran and Elam:

the need for unity, solidarity and ending dispute among Muslims 383

Unity among Muslims is one of the blessings of the revolution

Muslims unity blocks foreign aggression

Unity accounts for the uprising of Iran against the superpowers

Serving not commanding

Harmony of the nation is a gift from God

12/31/1981 Decree to Muhammad Sadiq (Muhyiddin) Hairi Shirazi: appointment of

Friday prayer leader in Shiraz 388

1/3/1982 Decree to Abdullah Nuri: appointment of representative in Reconstruction

Jihad 389

1/4/1982 Commemoration Letter to honoring martyr Mihrab Aqa Sayyid Abdul-

Husayn Dastaghayb: 390

1/4/1982 Speech to Indian Muslims: the need to avoid dispute between Sunnis and

Shiites 391

1/5/1982 Message to fighters of Islam: appreciating the victory of the Islamic army

in the southern and western fronts 392

Jan. 1982 Letter to Mahdi-Yar (Khanom): religious funds- receiving of a gift 393

1/9/1982 Permission to Muhammad Ali Shari: permission for financial and

religious law affairs 395

1/10/1982 Speech to different strata of people-foreign guests and Sunni clergies

participating in the trip of unity-workers of housing foundation-managers

of post and communication-participants in the seminar ―religious study

center and university‖; students of the student unit of the Islamic republic

party: description of the blessings of the revolution 396

Unity as an example of the blessings of the Islamic revolution

The need to look into the actions of the enemies

The efforts of the enemy to drive the religious study center apart from the

university

Islam leans on brotherhood of believers

Following the glorious Quran and the beloved Islam

Declaration of brotherhood with the Muslims of the world

A call for guests to take notice of Iran

xvi

1/12/1982 Decree to Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardabili (chief of the Supreme

Court of the country): granting pardon to prisoners 402




Court of the country): granting amnesty to prisoners 404



1/12/1982 Speech to Friday prayer leader in Gilan province: Quran calls for unity

among Muslims; the perilous duty of the clergies 406

Qurans emphasis on unity

The enemy fans the falme by creating dispute

Reforming the society entails reforming the clergies

The problematic and perilous responsibility of Friday prayer leaders

The problematic nature of cultural work in the north of the country

The reason for the paucity of clergies

1/12/1982 Statements to a group of guests of the anniversary of the unity week-from

Arab countries: unity as the epigraph of the call of the prophets 411

1/13/1982 Speech to Sayyid Ali Khamenei (the president of the republic); Akbar

Hashemi Rafasanjani (the speaker of the Islamic consultative council);

Mir Husayn Musawi (the prime minister); the cabinet: perpetuating the

movement of the prophets in guiding humanity and saving it from

oppression 413

The starting point of all reform is education of man

The harmony of the nation is a blessing of Islam

Prophets are the manifestation of the divine mercy

Activities for saving humanity from oppression

1/16/1982 Speech to Muhsin Ridai (commander-in-chief of the revolutionary guard)

and the commanders of the revolutionary guard in the south of the

country: the holy status of the revolutionary guard 417

I wish I were a revolutionary guard

1/17/1982 Message to Shadhli Bin Jadid (the president of the republic of Algeria): a

reply to a telgraph of congratulation on the birth of the honorable

Messenger (s) 419

1/18/1982 Decree to Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardebili (chief of the Supreme

Court of the country): granting pardon to prisoners of Kurdistan 420

1/18/1982 Speech to Ali-Akbar Wilayati (minister of foreign affairs) and new

assistants and employees: the mission and function of the embassies of the

Islamic republic 421

The dangerous mission of the embassies of the Islamic republic

The need to reform the ministry of foreign affairs and embassies

1/20/1982 Speech to Friday Friday prayer leaders in the provinces of Isfahan and

Chahar Mahal Bakhtiyari: self-refinement and its important-explaining the

problems of the revolution 423

The unrefined individuals are the most harmful for Islam

The Quran is a human-building book

The sense of danger of the superpowers from the Iranian revolution

Uprooting the arrogant powers is the goal of the prophets

Carter and Begins concern for Islam

All over the country the responsibility is in the hands of the people

Shortage and expensiveness are necessity on account of the war and the

revolution

xvii

Islamization of the country if the wish of all

1/24/1982 Speech to teachers, students board of the high school of educational

sciences and judgeship in Qum-officials of the central construction Jihad-

commanders of the revolutionary guards all over the country―officials of

the Red Cross― women from Qum-religious students and the people from

Kashan and Andimeshk: the problem of Iran, Muslims and the Islamic

countries 431

Eliminating the obstacles of the revolution is in the hand of the nation

The solution to the economic problems is in the hand of the nation

Students are the resources of the nation

Zionism is the arch enemy of Islam

The right of veto is worse than the law of the jungle

? Letter to…: Condolences 436

1/26/1982 Commemoration Letter to Fatimi Tabatabai: commemoration letter

dedicated to martyr Mutahhari 437

1/26/1982 Permission to Muhammad Ruhani: permission for financial and religious

matters 438

Sahifeh-ye Imam Volume 15

1

Message Date: June 30, 1981 [Tir 9, 1360 AHS / Shaban 27, 1401 AH]

Place: Jamaran, Tehran

Subject: Martyrdom of 72 companions of the Imam and the nation

Occasion: The tragedy of explosion in the headquarters of the Islamic Republic

Party by munafiqin (hypocrites)

Addressee: The Iranian nation and respected families of Tir 7 martyrs

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Verily, to God we belong and to Him we shall return

A nation that has risen up to administer Islamic justice, to effect the rules

of the glorious Quran, to cut off the criminal hands of the superpowers and

to live independently and freely has prepared itself for martyrdom and for

offering martyrs. This nation will not abandon itself to fear of the criminal

hands of the superpowers being unfolded through the sleeves of a handful of

professional criminals, who martyr the most righteous children of the land. Is

not martyrdom a heritage from our masters who viewed life in terms of faith

and jihad who safeguard the honorable school of Islam with the blood of

their and their dear offspring? Are not honor, dignity and human values

invaluable gems to which the righteous predecessors of this school dedicated

their lives and the lives of their companions for their safeguard?

Are not we followers of pure ones who gave their lives for the cause?

Why should we give way to doubt about the martyrdom of our dear ones?

Does the enemy have the power to strip our dear martyrs of their human

values and dignity by their crimes? Can the enemies of dignity take away but

the earthly robe from the lovers and friends of God? Let these wildbeast who

think of nothing but their ―I‖s and ―We‖s and who ―devour like animals‖1

set

the lovers of the right path free from the trammels of nature and elevate them

to the open space in the proximity of the Beloved.

Shame on you the dregs of the devil, and the hired agents of the

international criminals who have gone into hiding and embarked on foolish

acts of sabotage against a nation which has risen up to the superpowers. Your

big fault and that of your sympathizers is that you are neither aware of Islam

and its spiritual power nor of the Muslim nation and its motive for sacrifice.

You have not come to know a nation which sacrificed tens of its dear youths

1 Surah Muhammad 47:12.


2

to overthrow the wicked Pahlavi regime and emancipate itself from the

captivity of the great Satan with exemplary bravery and without turning a

hair. You have not understood the nation whose disabled of the war on

hospital beds hunker for martyrdom and who invite their companions to

martyrdom. You blind hearted, have seen that by martyring the great figures,

the rank of the devotees of Islam are more tightly knit and their resolution

grow stronger, but still want to sidetrack this selfless nation by martyring our

dear ones. As far as you could, you leveled unfair accusations at the children

of Islam such as Martyr Beheshti and the dear martyrs of the parliament and

the cabinet and insulted them with the intention of driving a wedge between

them and the nation. Now that this weapon has backfired, you have retreated

into your crannies and engaged in foolish crimes so that you would frighten

the martyr-nurturing and selfless people by such horrible acts, but you do not

know that in the lexicon of martyrdom the word fear does not exist. Islam

still takes pride in these martyrs and martyr-nourishers and proudly calls

people to resistance. We are determined to see this face one day and deliver

this soul to Him who owns it.

In this great tragedy the Iranian nation lost 72 innocent martyrs as many

martyrs as those in Kerbala. The Iranian nation is proud to produce people

who devoted themselves to serving Islam and Muslims, while the enemies of

people martyred a group who had come together to consult for the interests

of the country. The dear nation, these blind-hearted people who claim that

they are fighting for the people1

, took the lives of active and friendly servants

of the people. Let us suppose that you were bitter enemies of martyr

Beheshti, who lived innocently and who died and who was a thorn in the side

of the enemies of Islam and especially a thorn in your side, what enmity did

you have with 72 innocent people many of whom were the best servants of

the people and who were staunch opponents of the enemies of the country?

Under the pretext of people, you are opposing the nation and paving the way

for the Eastern and Western plunderers. Though we lost dear and loyal

friends each one of whom was a strong prop and valuable support and though

we lost extremely committed brothers who were ―hard on the infidels and

easy on one another2

‖ and who were strong buttress and fruitful tree for the

oppressed nation and for the institutions of the revolution, the roaring flood

of the people and the breaking waves of the nation, with unity and trust in the

Omnipotent God will compensate for any shortcoming. With its trust in God,

1 It refers to the hypocritical terrorist organization, which has called itself People Mujahidin

Organization. 2 Surah al-Fath 48:29


3

the Iranian nation will push ahead like a raging sea, stand the superpowers

and their residues in stalwart rows1

and send you helpless ones who have

concealed yourselves in crannies and are clutching at straws to the hell. The

great God will back this nation and its people.

Once more I extend my condolences and congratulations to Hadrat

Baqiyyullah (May our souls be sacrificed for him), the oppressed nations of

the world and the nation of Iran on this great loss. I share with the honorable

and dear families of these martyrs in their sorrow and beseech God to grant

enormous mercy to these oppressed ones and patience to their respected

families. May Gods mercy and endless salutations be on the martyrs of the

revolution from 15 Khordad 42 to 7 Tir 60, and peace and greetings to the

people oppressed of the world and the oppressed people of Iran throughout

history.

Ruhullah al-Musawi al-Khomeini

1 Firm and solid.


4

Message Date: June 30, 1981 [Tir 9, 1360 AHS / Shaban 27, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to message of condolence on martyrdom of Dr. Mustafa Chamran

Addressee: Yasir Arafat (Head of the Executive Committee of the Palestine

Liberation Organization)


Dear Mr. Yasir Arafat, Head of the Executive Committee of the Palestine

Liberation Organization (PLO),

I acknowledge the receipt of your message of condolences on the

martyrdom of the devoted soldier of Islam, Dr. Mustafa Chamran, for which

I appreciate you. I pray to God Almighty to bestow His bounteous mercy on

all the martyrs of Islam and to annihilate all the infidel enemies. May Gods

peace be upon you.


Shaban 27, 1401 AH


5

Statements Date: Morning, July 1, 1981 [Tir 10, 1360 AHS / Shaban 28, 1401 AH]


Subject: Discord in the name of Arab & non-Arab

Audience: Leadership Council of the Amal Movement (of Lebanon)

Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as well as other Islamic lands are not

different from each other. There are a group of people seeking to sow discord

among people in the name of Arabs or non-Arabs. We should all strive to

remain under the banner of Islam. Now that you see Iraq has invaded Iran,

the reason is not over a few inches of land; rather, the main reason is their

fear of the Islamic government and Islamic unity.

[Imam Khomeini said at the end of the meeting:]

I am sad at not seeing Mr. Musa Sadr1

among you. He was like my son.

He was a strong arm of Islam.

1 Imam Musa Sadr, leader of Lebanese Shiah Muslims, disappeared mystriosly in Lybia.


6

Speech Date: July 1, 1981 [Tir 10, 1360 AHS / Shaban 28, 1401 AH]

Place: Husayniyyah Jamaran, Tehran

Subject: Tribute to Martyr Beheshti and the other Martyrs of the 7th

Tir Tragedy;

Defining duties of the ulama, officials and the people at the present juncture

Occasion: On the eve of the blessed month of Ramadan

Audience: ulama of Tehran


On martyrdom of friends

I both congratulate and condole the society of ulama, the Iranian

nation, all the worlds Muslims and the worlds oppressed people;

condolences for the fact that since the 15th of Khordad (June 5, 1963) till

now, we have lost many youth, men and women. This is a great tragedy1

for

Islam and for Muslims, especially the recent crime that saw the exposure of

the hands of the US from the sleeves of these traitors, who have inflicted

such a crime on the Muslims and against those who never thought of

anything else except the interests of Muslims. These were very important

figures, (who attained martyrdom) from among the MPs, from the

government, from among the distinguished ministers, and from the judiciary,

especially people like Mr. Beheshti, who were the target ever since the

formation of the Islamic Republic. You have been witness to the fact that all

these Islamic organs have been targeted. The Majlis was the target; the

Experts Assembly was also the target when they saw that many of its

members were the ulama. They targeted Islamic Consultative Assembly

since the majority of its members were committed persons and there were

many ulama among them. They targeted the judiciary when they saw it

became active through the efforts of committed intellectuals. This trend is

still continuing. We have lost many of our friends and those dedicated to

Islam. But I congratulate the Iranian nation on the occasion. I congratulate

the nation who brought up such children, offered them to the society and

dedicated them to God Almighty. The nation is still standing firm without

flinching. Many of our dear children are at the battlefronts for safeguarding

the country and the Islamic Republic system. They are steadfast in their

Defense of the Islamic country, and spare no effort in doing so. The brave

1 Tir 7 event resulted in martyrdom of Mr. Beheshti and his friends.


7

Islamic Republic Army, the dear Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, the

Basijis, the tribal people and all Iranians at large are standing steadfast in

their resistance, without caring to think about issues going on behind or on

the battlefronts. These issues cannot distract or dishearten them. They rather

get more cohesive, united and powerful in order to ensure their goals are

finally accomplished, and the tree of Islam bears its fruits.

Of course, a nation, that wants to resist and withstand all the powers and

does not seek compromise with the West or the East, should follow the right

path of humanity and Islam. The nation should get prepared to face all

events. We should not assume that all the events and dangers are over. We

have cut short the hands of all the superpowers from our wealth and

resources and as a result they would not stand idle. We should be mindful

and alert and trust in the infinite power of God Almighty. When our support

is Gods infinite power, our backbone is Islam and our goal is righteousness,

why should we feel feeble at these calamities? We have found our ways; our

nation has found its way; our nation is seriously and vigorously following its

own path. Of course, there are many difficulties on the way but the righteous

ones and those willing to follow the right path, should not think of any

vulnerability; the nation should continue with its path vigorously and

powerfully. People who consider martyrdom an honor, who are martyred on

the battlefronts and whose last wills indicate they are very strong will not be

exhausted. I am proud of the people who took to the streets over the past

couple of years, made mosques their bastions, held congregations and

mobilized the public without fearing any tanks and machineguns. Those

days, all powers, all the satanic powers, were on the scene. Now that all those

powers are gone and only some of their evil offshoots are left behind, which

carry out secret, underground plans, there is no ground for fear.

Our nation is the one which works for its goal; our nation is steadfast to

fulfill its religious duty; Islam is today a trust in our hand; thats a trust given

by Gods prophet to us; we have the duty to safeguard it and not betray it; we

have all the duty to forward the trust to the future generations without it

being damaged and hurt. Why should we be concerned? I mean we who

abide by our duty should not be concerned, as our path is not other than the

right. Those who think if they are killed or die in their belief, are annihilated

but whom we believe will go to hell should be concerned. Why should we be

concerned? If we are martyred, our spirit would get free of any compulsion

in the world and ascend to the heavens besides God. Why should one be

concerned? Is there any reason to be worried of death? Is martyrdom the

source of concern? Our friends who have been martyred are besides God


8

Almighty. Why should we miss them? Should we miss them because they

have got rid of any restriction and transferred to a free world under Gods

mercy? Of course, we are unhappy because we used them for Islam; they

were arms of Islam but our nation has a population of 35 million people. And

these residues may—lets say—number around several hundred thousand

people. Our nation comprises 35 million resolute people. Some the mothers

whose children have been martyred come to me asking to pray for them. The

mothers say they have some more children. There also old men coming to

me. They say their children have been martyred. They weep and complain of

not letting them to join the theater. Such a great nation has nothing to be

worried about.

Islam is dearer than everything

We are followers of men whom history relates as people eager about

martyrdom. For instance, as Imam Husayn approached martyrdom on the day

of Ashura, he would get more ablaze with enthusiasm. His young family

members and relatives vied with one another to attain martyrdom. They

knew they would attain martyrdom and they strove for martyrdom. They

were eager because they knew where martyrdom would lead them to. They

knew why they were born. They knew they had come to fulfill their divine

duty of safeguarding Islam. Islam is dearer than everything. The Prophet of

Islam and all his descendants and followers strove to safeguard Islam. Islam

is a trust from God. Yes, it is a trust from God. The Prophet of Islam had the

duty to protect this trust and he protected it since he was the repository of this

trust until he passed away. He never showed a moment of laxity in fulfilling

his duty. Our Imams were also like the Prophet. Hence all followers should

follow this example.

We who claim to follow the Prophet and the Imams should act

accordingly. Giving lip-service to be their followers is not sufficient. We

should continue our way with power and resist the enemy strongly. The

enemy is weak. The enemy has become weak. They do things that are done

by people who are desperate and who cannot be on the scene. All should

know that the enemies are no longer powerful. The Iranian nation should be

strong and powerful. The nation is determined, solemnly following its goal.

The nation presents Islam to the whole world. It is an honor for the Iranian

nation that this mission starts from here. From Iran the divine call and the

call of our noble prophet will reach out to the whole world. We are

determined and regard it our duty to give our lives in the path of Islam. Now

what should we do? What is our duty?


9

They fulfilled their duty and were martyred. God have mercy on all of

them, God Willing. Now what should we do? What is our duty? What should

we do in circumstances when the foreign powers are opposing us? Inside,

you see the remnants of those who have crept into holes doing acts of

sabotage. What is our duty? We have many things to do. You ulama and

intellectuals all over Iran have many duties to do. Your responsibility is

heavier. Your status and path reveal that you are representatives of the

prophets. Your job and your clothes signify that your community represents

Islam. The one who represents Islam has a big duty. Our duty is heavier. If

we, God forbid, commit any blunder, others would attribute it to the Prophet

and to Islam. You are defenders of Islams honor. The ulama who are busy in

the judiciary or are engaged in other duties have heavier duties. God forbid,

if there were to be a wrong judgment, there would be the belief that

they [ulama] are sabotaging.

Enemys plot to isolate the ulama

You see, there has been originally something at work, trying to distance

you from the people. There have been at least efforts not to let you be active

in the executive, legislative or similar organs. This has been the case in the

West with regard to the churches. They said the churches should go their

own way and get engaged in the issues related to spiritual matters, letting

others to run government affairs. They tried to follow suit in Iran. The Satans

who studied issues related to different nations, had well understood that they

would fail if the ulama came on the scene of politics. This was because the

ulama had strong popular backing. What did they try to do? They tried

generally to insinuate that the men of religion should have nothing to do with

politics. They said the ulama have only the duty to wear their own religious

costumes, go to say prayers at noon and then go up the pulpit to deliver

sermons to the public with the subjects not being related to politics and

sufferings of nations. They wanted the sermons to focus on what was then

customary. Most parts of the Islamic jurisprudence have been actually

neglected. Majority of the verses of Quran had been brushed aside. People

used to read the Quran, kissed it and put it on the shelf. We had forgotten all

the verses related to society, politics, war and the like. In fact, we had been

forced to push them into oblivion.

The Imam who refused to get involved in politics was held in high

esteem. Those who did not interfere in politics were honored. What a lovely

Ayatollah was the one who performed the noon prayers and left the mosque

for home straight afterwards. This mentality had been imposed on us. The


10

Satans who wanted to isolate this community had inculcated the idea that

those engaged in politics and speaking about peoples problems are

politicized. Once one was branded politicized, one had to be distanced from

the society.

The Satans had imposed this idea on us. They had tried to prevent us

from properly studying the life of Prophet Muhammad (s) and the life of the

first Infallible Imam of his household, Imam Ali (a) lest we may understand

how they behaved. Did not the Prophet of Islam play a role in politics? Can

you dispense with the Prophet on the account that he was politicized? Didnt

he engage in politics? He spent all his life in politics and established an

Islamic government. Imam Ali (a) also established the Islamic government

and sent governors to different areas. Werent these acts political in nature?

Are you trying to find faults with Imam Ali (a)? Are you right that

Akhunds should not be engaged in politics and that they should do their own

job claim they follow Imam Ali (a)? Do not you believe in their

engagement in politics? Do you think the Prophet had no government and

simply sat in a mosque in a corner of Medina, speaking about religious

issues? Was that the case? Do you think Imam Ali (a) simply sat in a corner

of his house, wearing a cloak, going to the mosque to say prayer, sitting there

and studying? Is that the case, or were they involved in politics since the very

beginning?

While in Mecca, Prophet Muhammad (s) could not form any

government. He was busy gathering a group of people, and was pursuing

underground politics. Later, when everything was appropriate, he migrated to

Medina, established the government and send people on political missions.

Even when the Prophet was laying on his deathbed in the last hours of his

life, the army of Osamah was outside the city, ready to go. The Prophet said:

―Curse of God upon the one who disobeys.1

‖ After the Prophet passed away

there were attempts to violate the precedents set by him and they really did.

Imam Ali (a) displayed feats of bravery and fought many a war in those

times. They tried to talk us into accepting that one of his offences was

wearing the military fatigue. They said this is something against justice.

Wasnt Imam Ali (a) a just man? Wasnt Imam Husayn (a) just? Were the

acts of the Doyen of Martyrs offences? Were the acts of Imam Ali (a) offences?

They intended to reduce you, the clerics and us into useless individuals

deprived of every positive aspect and heedless of what might happen to the

1 Bihar al-Anwar, v. 27, p. 324, h. 4.


11

nation, its resources and how they tyrants or Khans might treat the nation.

They actually wanted some nonentities and held them in great respect. They

advised us to sit and narrate religious matters, for which we were even

respected. They would warmly greet us for all such things. However, we

were not allowed to move a step further. Other areas were off-limits to us.

We could only narrate religious issues, go to the mosque, and at most,

organize mourning sermons. They had imposed this on us and we should try

to rid ourselves of this burden.

The ulama should be on the scene. You should defy all the irrelevant

words that tried to get you away from the social affairs you should leave all

the words behind. Thanks God, you have set them behind. The ulama should

not sit idle and get isolated, letting the US or the Soviet Union decide

their fate.

They had marginalized us and our fate was decided in the US. The

deposed and damned Shah confessed to the issue. He was such a fool that he

brought about disgrace on his own father as well. He was so selfish that he

let his father fall into disgrace. He disclosed that there were some people

whose names were registered in embassies and recommended to serve in the

parliament. He said such things to show that from that state of affairs the

country was now approaching the threshold of the great civilization. He

wanted to deceive the public; he wanted to say such things were common in

the past, but that they are no longer the case. However, his condition was

worse than ever over the past few years. Plans were in progress to prevent the

ulama, who could mobilize the nation, from interfering in politics. This

group had the power to unite the nation given the opportunity, but were

barred from getting involved in politics.

And later they used to say that getting involved in politics would damage

the sanctity of men of letter. Was not there piety and sanctity at the time of

the Prophet? Was not the Prophets sanctity preserved? Was not the

Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a) pious? Were not Imam Hasan and

Master of the Martyrs pious? They wanted to close our eyes and ears. They

do want to do the same now. Since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution

in Iran attempts were made to brush aside the ulama. The trend is still in

frozen. Once this attitude had become widespread, but it is now in decline, I

hope it will vanish altogether.

Islam, the great trust of God

You should open your eyes and ears; it is no longer like the old days. At

that time the village chief was isolated from his surroundings. This mentality


12

was present everywhere. Today, whatever I am saying now is aried in

London and the U.S. at night. They quote me as saying such a thing; they

even attribute lies to us. Recently they reported that whatever I had said

about the incidents occurring inside the country had noting to do with the

U.S., whereas it is the U.S. that does the things; it is the U.S. that supports

them.

―You are all shepherds and are responsible1

‖. You ulama deserve

mostly to be like a shepherd. We are all responsible. If we are killed in

groups, others should come and replace us. It is the question of Islam. We

should all sacrifice our lives for Islam. The prophet also devoted himself to

Islam. The Doyen of Martyrs also sacrificed his life for Islam. Islam is the

biggest thing trusted to us by God. We should be determined to attain

martyrdom in such a path. The ulama should be more devoted to the goal.

I knew from the outset that we have problems. The problems came to

light right recently. Of course, I might have also neglected the problem. We

have problems; we will have problems in the future.

Use mosques as your bastions to defend Islam. Since the early days of

Islam, mosques were the sites wherein all sorts of social activities were

conducted. They were places for setting differences among people. Mosque

was the site for mobilization of Muslims. You should strongly defend the

mosques. Never listen to those saying we do not need mosques any longer.

We launched the revolution to build mosques. We launched the revolution

for God. Our nation had launched the revolution and the nation wants

everything to be accomplished in the Islamic Republic in accordance with

Islam. The mosques are bastions for Islam. Mosque is the site for war. These

are bastions for Islam. Protect the bastions. Do not be deluded by people who

want to fool you by distracting you from your social activities, suggesting

that there are others who would do these sorts of activities.

Calling on people to actively participate in the elections

Presidential election is due very soon. What is your duty? What is the

nations duty? All of you, all the people, all men of letters wherever they are,

invite people seriously to take part in the process. All should have a role in

the process. If you are not present on the scene and a president of their choice

comes to power as in the past and we are all fooled, we will be all

responsible. If you leave the scene and others take over and appoint a

president who might ruin the country, all of us will be responsible. The one

1 Bihar al-Anwar, v. 72, p. 38.


13

living in a village with ten or 200 people or the one living in a city with two

million, four million or five million people would all be equally responsible.

We should invite the public not to be indifferent to the elections. All should

go to ballot boxes and vote. Of course, informed individuals, I mean the

ulama and others choose one or several candidates who are qualified. In so

doing, you should note to whom we should cede the countrys fate. If we

have a president who is not the right kind of person everything would be

ruined. We are suffering from their residues. You should not say there are

others to vote. You should tell yourself, I should also vote. You too should

vote. The villager, who works on his farms, should also vote. Thats a duty.

Thats a divine duty. You should not say ―there are others‖, and ―I can do

nothing.‖ Never!

Every individual has the duty to defend Islam. Everybody should defend

Islam. Now we are facing a number of problems in our country; we have the

duty to defend Islam. Defending Islam means electing a president who is

committed to Islam. You should be fully aware of his commitment to Islam

lest we may have a corrupt president who would push us towards the U.S.,

and who would marginalize the clerics and Majlis. We are all duty bound to

interfere in such affairs—in political affairs. We are all duty-bound by the

religion, as was the prophet and Imam Ali (a). These days, on the eve of

presidential elections, those serving in seminaries should stop working and

go to cities, villages and remote areas and help others with the election. If

they do not, they would be responsible before God. If they show dereliction,

they would be accountable before God. They should invite the public to have

a role in affairs; they should guide the public to vote to a right president; they

should help bring ballot boxes to remote villages. If you do not do so, your

enemies will do so and start propagating in those places. You are preachers

of Islam.

People have to oversee performance of politicians

Today preaching Islam aims to protect the religion. Preaching should be

directed towards electing the president by yourselves. It is as much important

as Islam is. If one who takes the helm turns out to be corrupt, God forbid, he

would lead the country to corruption. If you had not opened your eyes and

defused the plots, God knows we might get in the future? Our Army, IRGC,

Basij, and tribal people, whom God may sanction, are defending Islam in the

fronts and our nation should support them. Likewise, you are the army of

God and are duty-bound to act according to your mission and invite people to

secure the public interests of Islam. You should drive the public to fulfill


14

religious duty. You should brief them on their religious duty. The problem is

not simply choosing the MP or minister of your own liking. No, this is not

the problem. The problem is ceding the affairs and the country to a person

who would hurt Islam and destroy the Islamic Republic if he turns out to be

corrupt. This is a vital issue for you, for Islam and for Muslims. It is not a

trifling issue that you can neglect. It is not acceptable that a group may say

―Since it is a political issue, we will not interfere‖, and ―It has nothing to do

with us.‖ This is a political issue related to all, Islam and to protection of

Islam. If we do not supervise, I mean, if the nation does not supervise the

affairs of government and Majlis, if they go away, cede the affairs to these

and get engaged in their own jobs, the country may go ruins. We should see

to the affairs of the public. The nation should supervise the affairs running in

the government. Supervision! Pay attention to this. The nation should note

that if in Majlis this time—for instance—they voted to the one who does

harm in government and in Majlis, they should not vote for him the next

time. They should say We are not going to elect this one in the hope that he

may mend his ways.‖

As in the case of President, electing a president is one of the affairs

incumbent upon Muslims in Iran and all those eligible people. If they do not

interfere and a hurt comes to Islam, each one of us are accountable before the

court of Gods justice—each one of us. If one says: ―thats none of my

business‖, it is like saying that Islam is none of his business. Can you say that

Islam has nothing to do with you? You have the duty to defend the faith.

Thats a trust from God and its protection today is that its president be a right

president. And then, perhaps those being aware of affairs, say, you might

also know many of them.

A Majlis [should] be good. And if some of your representatives, commit

an offense, you should advise them no to do wrong. If they persist with the

offence, do not choose them next time; choose another one. And now, I am

telling this to all parliament deputies that if they want to move in the opposite

direction of the nation and if you want to be maverick and do not

differentiate your duty from those who opposed Islam, who killed our youths

that way and killed our good individuals this way, in the next term you will

beg to remain if this term no objection is raised.

Beheshti was a nation

Thats the duty of you gentlemen at the present juncture. Of course, the

big duty is that wherever you are and whatever job you have, you should be

serious not to do even something wrong. They plan to remove you from the


15

scene. Removing away from the scene means, if they notice any shortcoming

in you, they would magnify it publicly in order to make the people

disenchanted with you. Plans were underway to get people away from you,

motivating people to insult you. What had Mr. Beheshti, a Muslim, a

committed person and a Mujtahid, done that if one sat in a taxi, one would

hear two persons coming across each other, one part of their talk was

insulting him? In gatherings a certain group would shout ―death to that

person, crying that You killed Taliqani. You see, what an injustice it was to

such an active individual who was like a nation for our nation. How did they

want to remove him through such stratagems. Well, he is now gone; but they

should know that their problems would not be solved by elimination of this

or that. People know more as to what you had been and what you wanted to

do.

It is the duty of the gentlemen to be on the scene for all Islamic issues

coming up, whether you want to choose an MP or—let me say president.

There is no excuse to withdraw. Of course, there are people who want to

dissuade you from entering into politics through their words and writings.

They want to choose the people who would entangle us in problems. You

should be well aware of the issue and seriously attach importance to the issue

in the interests of the public. And it is the duty of the nation to remain on the

scene as it has so far done no matter what may come about.

Sometimes, when I see the people, their congregation and commitment, I

feel ashamed. If he is the Pasdar who says night prayers his bunker and

exposes his life to threat; or the soldier who sees his life in danger on

battlefronts, still performing his night prayers and writing his will, what can I

say? The duty of the nation is to help those engaged in protection of Islam,

such as the army, and IRGC and all the armed forces who are active on

battlefronts, in that hot weather and those unfavorable things. People should

extend their support and declare their backing to these forces and boost their

morale.

As in the case of president, all have the duty to take part. I am fulfilling

my duty. All are responsible ranging from me, and theology student sitting

here to your prominent ulama and all villages and everywhere. All are

responsible to take part in this vital affair and not remain indifferent. There

are now elements that are busy talking you and the nation out of entering the

scene. You have to do. You have no option. It is the question of Islam and

defending Islam! They should open their eyes not to fall into the trap! The

U.S. has now stretched its trap all over Iran; they should not fall into the trap!

They should not be deceived by the publicity of the groups who are


16

propagating. They should not be misled by these; they should see what the

right, sound, committed and wise individuals say! If that one says, ―I am a

farmer, its none of my business‖, if you and I say the same and if they want

to kill Imam Husayn, can you say such a thing? Can you say, I am a farmer; I

am an employee; I am in offices or some other places; thats none of my

business. If they want to remove Quran How can you say such a thing? This

is a prelude to remove the issues.

The big powers have today felt they have received slap from Islam. They

are more aware than us what a blow Islam has dealt them. They want to set

Islam aside. How? Through different tricks. One is to force you not to enter

and make mischief themselves and assign a person. When that one is

assigned, he would take us towards the US, even by next ten years. All

should be careful of the issues. Political issues are related to all. All are

responsible. All should observe; all should care what the nation does and

guide all. Everybody should enter the scene actively, in close and active

ranks. Do not be the least pessimistic.

Islam without ulama is like medicine without physicians

God is with you. If others have machineguns and if, I do not know, what

they have, if they have Phantom warplanes and the like, you have God. You

destroyed all these, because you trusted God. God is your backbone. What

did the nation have then? It had nothing at hand. They thought out making

something that was not comparable to what they had. But God injected fear

into their hearts so as not to use those fatal instruments against us. It was the

work of God to instill fear in them, God terrified all and strengthened your

spirit so that you would not fear martyrdom and regarded martyrdom a big

salvation. These are all from God. Foregoing this, this was the same nation

that when a cop came to Tehran bazaar and gave an order, the entire people

in the bazaar would surrender to him. Such was the situation once. Who

transformed the people afraid of a cop into ones that took to the streets and

chanted Death to the Shah? Who gave you this spirit? Could anybody other

than God put the entire part of the country under a single banner? Who could

do so save God? What can frighten you when there is God? Nothing. Now,

the one among people lying in the hospital invites the pubic to resist and to

help the army men. This is the nation, whose children, women, the young and

old are on the stage and want to interfere. This is the right thing to do. They

should get involved in affairs. If they see I am going astray, they should

notify me. If they see someone or the government going astray, they should

say: do not go the wrong way.


17

If you men of letters, who are the actual target, are removed from the

scene, they have brushed aside Islam. Medicine without a physician can not

work: it stands in need of a physician and specialist. Islam minus ulama is

like medicine minus physicians. It was this class that brought Islam up to

here. You are now responsible to hand it over to the posterity, God willing.

I am confident that as long as this nation trusts God, no power will be

able to harm it. They may kill individuals, and might even kill me one day.

No problem, but the nation will be steadfast in its path. They are making a

terrible mistake to believe if they kill some individuals and some MPs, Majlis

will come to an end. Other MPs will fill in their places since the nation is not

dependent on a particular person. In it is a divine power reflected on this

nation, not individuals. The nation is on the scene shoulder-to-shoulder and if

a person is martyred another one will take his place. May God guide you and

us to the straight path and provide us with the blessing to gain proximity to

Him.

May Gods peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.


18

Speech Date: 11 a.m., July 2, 1981 [Tir 11, 1360 AHS / Shaban 29, 1401 AH]

1

Place: Husayniyyah Jamaran

Subject: Enemys objective is to eliminate committed forces; Need for alertness of

the nation and heeding the countrys crucial issues

Attendants: Families of the martyrs of Tir 7th

tragedy and members of the Jomhouri

Islami Partys central committee


Verily, we belong to God and to Him we shall return

Enemys main objective to eliminate committed people

I condole all family members of the martyrs and the great Iranian nation.

We are from God; whatever we have belongs to Him. We posses nothing by

ourselves and whatever we contribute to Islam is in fact a gift bestowed on us

by God, to Whom we return the gifts. These trusts rushed to God proudly and

purely honouring this nation and the whole oppressed nations throughout the

world. They became the pioneers, and all the martyrs ever since Khordad 15th

are the source of pride to this nation and all oppressed nations throughout the

world. What is important for us is to see what we have to do. They rendered

whatever service they could to Islam and then God Almighty destined them

to rush to His attendance.

The important point for us is to fulfill our duties and to act according to

what God Almighty has ordered. For those who enjoy a good relation with

God, martyrdom of their beloved ones is not a matter of serious concern. The

important point is that those martyrs contributed their fair share to Islam.

They have served their part, but they were valuable assets for this nation and

we have lost them. All the same, we need to follow their path vigilantly. A

current that has been at work against our Islamic revolution since its

inception was to eliminate the assets of the revolution. This was not

something of an accident. All effective individuals who were the assets of

this revolution were assassinated one after the other. There were yet others,

whom the enemies attempted to martyr, but God saved them. It was not quite

accidental that a terrorist assassinated Martyr Mutahhari, another one

assassinated Martyr Mofatteh, one attempted to assassinate Mr. Hashemi and

1 In hifeh-ye Nur, this lectures date is recorded as 13/4/1360 AHS, but based on its

reporting date in the press the meeting took place on Thursday, 11/4/1360 AHS.


19

another one tied to kill Mr. Khamenei. Or the assassination of the late Mr.

Beheshti, or these ministers that were all valuable assets for Islam, are none

quite accidental. They were pre-planned attempts and dare still underway.

For the very moment that the revolution started to take shape, we have been

witness to such plots.

Sanctions were imposed on this nation ever since the day people

attempted to vote in favor of the Islamic Republic of Iran. A group,

boycotted the referendum, and when the Experts Assembly was founded,

objections were raised against its establishment. Later when they noticed that

it was established and the deputies in it were prominent clerics or learned

men in line with Islam, the objections started. Some people even proposed its

dissolution, but God saved it. It was not accidental that when the Islamic

Consultative Assembly was going to be established, oppositions were raised

once again. When it was established, some of the issues that were beneficial

for the country and for Islam were faced with the opposition of certain MPs

within the parliament. Such issues were all different phases of the same plot.

That trend is associated with this revolution. It still exists today, and would

continue in the future. It is not quite accidental that someone in the

parliament criticizes and argues against an article that serves the interests of

Islam and ensures that the revolution follows its Islamic path1

. It is not quite

incidental that after that event Islamic government was decried. The Islamic

Consultative Assembly that predominately consists of its pious and

committed individuals is scolded. The deputies are accused of being

inefficient. It is not the question of competency of the government or the

parliament. The point is that this Majlis should not be Islamic and this

government should not be Islamic.

It was not the question of Mr. Beheshti. You saw which persons were

remonstrated with in one or two years. It was not the question of individuals,

but rather the current that was opposed to the original idea. The story of

coordination offices throughout the country was not an accident. The

opposition against the Islamic government and attack against the government

in their words and writings, often accusing the government of incompetence,

was not accidental. The question is not that the judiciary has fallen into the

hands of monopolists. This is not the point. Such matters are not even the

major concern of those who raise these issues. The point is the United States

and Islam. The point is that an American current is working against Islam.

From the very beginning when they felt that the Shah had to step down, they

1 It is meant the principle of Wilayat-e Faqih.


20

brought Bakhtiyar. He was member of a nationalist group. In order to be on

the safe side, they also stressed that he was no longer a member of their party

or front. That cautious measure was adopted so that if he would be cast aside,

a front would still remain in force. At the very time when the pillars of

monarchy began to grow rickety, this trend came to the force. In fact, it

surfaced when I was in Paris. Attempts were then in progress to keep the

Shah, suggesting that the Shah remain king without the ruling rights. In this

way, they wanted to keep him. They tried to make up between Bakhtiyar and

I, as if we had a personal dispute with Bakhtiyar! A concerted and planed

current was at work at the very beginning and we were not paying due

attention to it. Their real intentions were gradually revealed. They betrayed

themselves with their deeds till the process of developments took us to this

point. I had earlier done my best to prevent it, but to no avail. It is not

because I trusted these people but due to the concerns of which I have talked

to the gentlemen themselves. Now at this point, their efforts aimed at keeping

the Shah in power, taking Bakhtiyar to the scene, bringing to power the

Monarchy Council and opposing the establishment of the Islamic Republic,

Experts Assembly, the Consultative Islamic Assembly and later on the

government and the judiciary. It was not because they were opposed to

Rejai, Beheshti, Hashemi and the Friday prayer leader of Tehran. Why

should they have been opposed to these people? A trend was at work to

eliminate committed people. If they could succeed to seclude these people

and segregate them from the people, so much the better. In order to achieve

that goal they spread rumors, even accused Mr. Beheshti, Mr. Khamenei, Mr.

Such and such, or Mr. Hashemi of bagging the rationed goods aimed for the

war-stricken citizens. Whatever crime they committed in Iran themselves

they told the people it was committed by these people. That was, and still is a

trend by which they attempt to drag our country towards the United States.

Well, if they would succeed to Americanize this country, the Soviet Union,

too, would gain its fair share of it. The U.S. cannot have it all alone. They

must be together and the Russians, too, are shareholders. But those

developments passed one after the other and they bore no fruit for the

Americans. They gained nothing out of this mass killing that is

unprecedented in the history of the world parliaments and governments.

Now, they have resorted to creating chaotic conditions. They want to destroy

things and weak destruction on this country.


21

The importance of being alert against the saboteurs and uncovering their plots

Our nations duty today is that everyone should remain alert all the time,

and to control the suspicious traffic of strangers. If the nation is sitting and

expecting merely for the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), the

revolutionary committees, and the government to offer them services, they

are mistaken. All members of the nation are responsible today to closely

follow the developments. These saboteurs have now crawled to corners and

are busy pursuing their destructive plots. Unfortunately, they work to deceive

our heedless young boys and girls. Parents should be quite alert lest their

children might slide into corruption. If the water is muddied, the plotters

would either succeed in fishing or else strive to destroy the family

foundations. All parents, family members, near and distant relatives are

responsible for enlightening the minds of these cheated boys and girls.

Recommend them not to go the way that is contrary to the interests of Islam

and the nation. Do not sit indifferent and wait for your children to go among

the people, resort to criminal acts, get arrested and punished both in this and

the next world. Do not let this happen. These children have been cheated;

they need to be advised by those who truly care for them. I wonder how these

youths are so easily cheated by such slogans as ―We want to do something

for this nation‖, ―We want to eliminate these akhunds from your lives‖,

―They merely heed their own interests, but we want to do something for

you.‖ I wonder why these youths do not think about the real deeds of the

people who chant such slogans. A farmer works hard for a lifetime and then a

hypocrite strikes a match reducing to dust the fruit of his whole life. Such

people then claim they want to do something for our nation. They flock to the

streets and start massacring ordinary passersby, blindly assassinate the

ordinary motorists, brutally behead people and set fire to the property of the

people. Then, they claim to be working for the interests of the people. Every

single one of the people is today responsible for identifying and introducing

these saboteurs to the revolutionary committees, to the courts or to any

close—by responsible organ or authority. Do not take action personally. Just

identify and, at most, arrest one and submit to the Guard Corps or the

disciplinary forces. Do not sit indifferent and wait for others to do something

for you. The countrys interests are the same as the interests of the people.

Today, the situation is not like the past when the people were not taken into

account due to the oppressive conduct of a tyrant government. There is no

longer a totalitarian regime intending to reap all the national interests for

itself, leaving the nation quite deprived. Today is the day when you want to


22

work for the advancement of this country hand in hand with each other to

disentangle people from the grip of the corrupt powers outside the country.

Today, all of you should act as members of the countrys intelligence

organization. We are all responsible for introducing these saboteurs to the

disciplinary forces and courts if we find them. We should be after finding

them so that they be put on trail. The trials, too, must be just ones, according

to religious standards. Do not sit indifferent, letting these saboteurs to launch

vaster terrorist attacks. These are paid mercenaries commissioned to expand

the dimensions of their terrorist attacks. They are commissioned to create

chaotic conditions throughout the country and inflict as many human and

material losses as they can against the nation. They assume are under the

false assumption that the nation may gradually get scared and abandon

treading the path it has chosen. They want to enter the scene as soon as the

nation stops pursuing its objectives, gets scared or withdraws. Their next plan

would be to topple the government and dissolve the parliament, replacing

them with a government and a parliament that would be seemingly Islamic,

but actually in a way to please the Americans. We should not just sit and

watch. We should act effectively. If we have dedicated martyrs, we need to

feel more responsible. Those who have dedicated martyrs need to act more

effectively and find those who have committed these crimes because they

have lost precious personalities.

Concern for the war and active participation in the elections

The whole nation should pay attention to the war. These massacres are

perhaps carried out to divert the attention of the people from war to lose the

war, God forbid. That is impossible, but they might prolong the war. The

whole nation should pay close attention to the war. The most urgent need

today is to achieve victory and we would, God-willing, achieve it. The fact

that we have lost many valuable personalities should not distract our minds

form the ideals of the martyrs. After all, those ideals were the framework of

their conduct. We should not forget that our martyrs in the parliament, in the

government and in the judiciary were all after achieving victory in the war.

They wanted us to drive the wretched mercenaries of the United States and

the Soviet Union out of this countrys sacred land. They wanted us to build a

free and independent Islamic country. We should not forget their path. At the

top of all affairs should be helping to lead the war to victory. At any rate, we

have responsibilities. I talked in details yesterday about the responsibility the

whole nation has to shoulder. Men and women and those who are eligible to

vote are obliged to turn out at the polls to elect the president. If you show


23

laxity, those who wish to destroy this country might win. All of you, all of

us, men and women, any one that is of the required aged to perform their

religious duties should decide their fate. We received a slap due to a mistake.

All the deficiencies we are grappling with are due to the mistake we have

made. This mistake should not be repeated. Try to find one who is

completely in line with Islam as president. All groups and parties, clerics and

people across the country should avoid making mistake in this vital task;

otherwise, we have to face another ouster and start from scratch. Of course,

they cannot do anything, except making a hue and cry, but the same hue and

cry would be harmful for us under the current conditions. Today, taking any

uncertain step or remaining silentin the face of an event will be to our

detirment. We need to be active and move forward. If we retreat one step

backward, they would take a step forward. Our army, our gendarmerie, our

Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) our border guards and our Basij

forces should proceed actively. If we show laxity, they would step forward; if

we take one step back, they would take ten steps forward. We should

resolutely and bravely drive the leftovers of the U.S. out of our country in

arenas we are defending Islam. This is their duty. The duty of those who are

serving behind the war fronts is to join hands with the combatants. If armed

forces feel assured that the nation is backing them they will become several

times more active. You should make them understand that you are supporting

them, as you are. You proved it to the whole world that we are a nation

linked to our army and armed forces and that we serve them behind the

fronts, and they serve us and Islam in the warfronts.

Hypocrites, residues of the U.S.

We should not forget that we are at war with the United States. We are at

war with the U.S. and its residues. These leftovers disguised themselves and

we took it too easy with them. They are still around. All of you are

responsible for identifying them one by one and turning them in to the courts

of justice. Do not sit till they set another place on fire. All they care for is

sabotage. They do not care who it is that gets killed or what is destroyed.

They feel no personal enmity with anyone either. Well, they massacred over

seventy of our best youth, without even knowing many of them. All they

cared for was to create chaotic conditions by an explosion, causing people to

leave the stage. But they noticed their act backfired. The martyrdom of these

men solidified our people. It also revealed the real intentions of these

hypocrites who claimed to be endeavoring for peoples freedom and for such

and such. It downed on us what sort of freedom they want. They wanted


24

freedom for explosion. They deemed explosion freedom! They also wanted

freedom for the hypocrites to frequent among our people so that after a year

they would be able to allure a large number of our youths. They wanted to be

able to do many of their secret activities openly. It is not without reason that

in those addresses for the masses on Ashura many of the audience were

whistling and clapping. On the day that our infallible and innocent Imam (a)

was martyred, they whistle and clap their hands, while listening to the

sermon made by one who loves them, forgetting all about the U.S. The line

these people pursued was to push the US into the oblivion. Some people

were talking about the Soviet threat just in order to make us forget about the

American threat. A group abandoned the crying Allahu Akbar (God is the

Greatest) and started whistling and clapping their hands on the Day of

Ashura. The strategy was aimed at making the people forget the cry of

Down With the U.S.A.

Therefore, you noticed that the day our dear alert youths captured the

espionage den (the U.S. Embassy in Tehran), these devils started a helpless

struggle. One of them said that these people are in line with Satan1

. They

inculcated the idea that we are now the hostages in the hands of the U.S. This

does not mean that they did not understand we are not captives in the hands

of the Americans. They wished to deprive us of our independence and slip us

into the lap of the U.S. Therefore, the seizure of the espionage den was

intolerable for them, because their espionage documents were also found. All

those efforts and insistence for freeing them, saying that we were the U.S.

hostages insisting on letting go of them, were intended at other objectives.

They had labelled our dear youth that claimed to be in Islams line, to be in

line with Satan. Their real fear was that may be one day their espionage

documant be disclosed and their real face be unmasked.

Advise to those deceived by the hypocrites

I now advise those who are not deeply involved in devious path to

separate their path from that of the hypocrites who have risen up against

Islam. Telling me not to show harsh treatment signifies that we and they are

the same. Those whom I do not think have not seen their ―epistemology‖ and

have released their ideology book which the gentlemen might have seen

should separate their path from us whom they consider to be Muslims,

however bad Muslims. You noticed that Mr. Bani Sadr did not separate his

path, and God knows I told him several times that they would drag him into

1 Referring to the comment made by Mr. Mahdi Bazargan.


25

misery. I told him that the wolves that had gathered around him did not

believe in anything and that they would eventually destroy him. But he did

not listen to my advice. He kept swearing that they were selfless, that they

were such and such people. He meant the people that had gathered around

him were decent people and I knew very well they were not so. He confirmed

the fine conduct of a group who used to rob ministries. Well, was it not he

himself that confirmed the theft from the ministry? They were so simple-

minded that they confirmed that. Now too, I tell these gentlemen who are

really well-intentioned, those who are truly after reforms toward better

conditions, but who are not intelligent enough, that the United States is no

good for you. That day is gone now. Today, the one that is beneficial for you,

for your religion and for your world is this nation. It is this bare feet nation.

That capitalist nation, too, would do you no good. They kill to secure their

own interests. They want to make instrumental use of you. These hypocrites,

too, would do you no good. The day these hypocrites gain power, they will

behead you, because you chant ―There is no god, but Allah” and they are

opposed to this. The monotheism they believe in is monotheism of social

classes. Their hereafter is in this world. They do not believe in anything

outside this world, but you do. The day these would emerge victorious, you

would, God forbid, be sacrificed. They have made a bridge out of you that

would lead them towards victory, but after passing over this bridge, they

would definitely destroy it. They do not need anyone to interfere in their

affairs. I tell the gentlemen once again that now in the holy fasting month of

Ramadan, Almighty God has opened all doors of repentance towards the

sinners. Before it gets too late, take advantage of the situation in this month

of Ramadan and improve yourselves. We are all in need of improving

ourselves. None of us is a perfect human being. We need to take refuge in

Gods mercy and improve ourselves. We need to renew allegiance with this

roaring flood of responsible people and to align ourselves with them.

Swimming against the current of the flood destroys human beings.

Swimming against the crushing waves of the sea annihilates men. You have

not abandoned Islam, but those who have launched an uprising against Islam,

who flocked to the streets, fully armed, and massacred the people, even if

they did not kill the people, Islam has issued a clear verdict against them.

You all know what it is. I want you to declare openly that clear Islamic

verdict. Issue a communiqué about it. Declare that the verdict about corrupt

individuals, who took to the streets and scared the people is in accordance


26

with Gods order. Declare that Islamic verdict clearly and sign it on behalf of

your group1

. Well, why do you hesitate so much? What do you expect these

people to do for you? I pray to Almighty God to help us succeed in this holy

month, in this truly blessed month, to repent before Him for all the sins we

have committed. I also pray to Him to rid us of the material temptations, and

to assist us, and to keep our mighty nation as strong as they are, God-willing.

And I pray that our army and other armed forces would emerge victorious in

this war, God-willing. And Islam is, and will always be victorious, God-

willing.


1 Referring to the heads of Freedom Movement, particularly Mr. Mahdi Bazargan.


27

Message Date: July 3, 1981 [Tir 12, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 1, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on disastrous explosion of Islamic

Republic Partys headquarters

Addressee: Muammar Qadhdhafi (Libyan President)


Dear Mr. Colonel Muammar Qadhdhafi, President of Libya,

We received your message of condolence on the recent heart-rending

tragedy and thank you for it. We beseech Almighty God to exalt the ranks of

the martyrs, to grant patience to the bereaved families and to annihilate the

enemies of Muslims and the worlds oppressed people.

May Gods peace and mercy be upon you.


Ramadan 1, 1401 AH


28



Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the blast at the Islamic Republic

Partys headquarters

Addressee: Yasir Arafat (Leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation—PLO)


Ramadan 1, 1401 AH

Dear Mr. Yasir Arafat, Leader of PLO,

We received your message of condolence on the recent heart-rending

tragedy that led to the martyrdom of a great many of our dear ones,1

and we

thank you for it. We beseech Almighty God to exalt the ranks of the martyrs

and to grant patience to the families of the martyrs. May Gods peace and

mercy be upon you


1 As a result of the bomb blast by the MKO terrorist outfit at the Islamic Republic Partys HQ,

72 senior officials of the Islamic Republic were martyred.


29

Decree Dated: July 3, 1981 [Tir 12, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 1, 1401 AH]


Subject: Appointment of Imam Khomeinis advisor to the Supreme Defense Council

Addressee: Sayyid Musa Namju

In the Name of God, the Compassionte, the Merciful

Dear Mr. Colonel Sayyid Musa Namju—may God assist you,

In order to set up the Supreme Defense Council as per Article 110 of the

Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran,1

you are appointed as advisor of

my behalf. In view of the critical conditions of the country, you are required

to provide reports to me every week after careful and complete survey of the

internal developments in different departments of the military.


Tir 12, 1360 AHS

1 Article 110 of the Islamic Republics Constitution defines the duties and authorities of the

Leader including commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Before the revision of the

Constitution, Article 110 had stipulated the formation of the Supreme Council of National

Defence composed of seven members including two advisors appointed by the Leader. The

above appointment directive is attributed to this article. After the revision of the Constitution

which was approved in a referendum by the Iranian people in 6/5/1368 AHS, the title of the

Supreme Council of National Defence has changed to the Supreme Council of National

Security and the articles dealing with the formers have been transferred from Article 110 to

Article 176, which also predicts appointment of two advisors in said council by the Leader.


30

Message Date: July 8, 1981 [Tir 17, 1360 AHS /Ramadan 6, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the blast at the Islamic Republic

Partys headquarters

Addressee: Theodore Zhikov (?) (Bulgarian president)


Mr. Theodore Zhikov (?), Head of State Council of the Bulgarian Peoples

Republic,

We received your condolence on the heart-rending tragedy and the anti-

human acts of certain criminals. We are grateful for your expression of

sympathy and beseech Almighty God for the annihilation of the world

conspirators and colonialists and the victory of the oppressed people.


Tir 17, 1360 AHS


31



Subject: Victories of Islams army against the aggressing Iraqi forces in the Nuwsud

Front

Addressee: Brigadier General Waliyullah Fallahi; (Deputy Joint Chiefs of Staff of

the Army)


Deputy Joint Chief of Staff of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran,

Brigadier General Waliyullah Fallahi,

“Fight them! God will chastise them at your hands, and He will lay them low

and give you victory over them, and He will heal the breasts of folk who are

believes.1”

Liberation of Nuwsud City after taking back the heights adjacent to it by

committed, pious and brave combatants of the army, Islamic Revolution

Guard Corps (IRGC), gendarmerie, and our other dear combatants is an eye

catching victory arousing the Iranian nations appreciation.

Convey also my thanks and appreciation to all mujahids of Islam in the

fronts of the imposed war and defense for Islam and the dear motherland,

particularly the ones that liberated Nuwsud.

This victory, the ones in the future and in the past, despite all arms and

munitions provided for the enemy by the superpowers and their allies is the

victory of faith and Islam over disbelief and the victory of humane values

over taghut (Satanic forces).

It reminds us of the advent of Islam when believers commanding little

arms and munitions, but armed with strong will and faith in God, gained

victory over the disbelievers, who were heavily armed with the days

weapons and backed by the Satanic forces.

Discipline and integrity need to be observed to maximum level among

the combatants of Islam. Difference of opinion that would result in

irresolution, should be avoided, since Mighty Gods Hand is with the masses

and with solidarity.

1 Surah at-Tawbah 9:14.


32

Your combatant brothers achieve victories in war fronts and your dear

brothers behind the fronts and the brave nation throughout the country spot

and introduce the hypocrites and large groups of other corrupt rightist and

leftist figures to the disciplinary forces and the Islamic Revolution Guard

Corps (IRGC) so that they refer them to the revolutionary courts.

I hereby appreciate the committed and brave nation and hope that by this

divine method these1

leftovers of the U.S. would very soon receive their fair

punishment for the crimes and the Iranian nation would get rid of them.

I hereby call on the revolutionary courts to treat these corrupt people that

destroy the lives and property of the people by observing Islamic justice and

with revolutionary resolution and apply the Quranic verdicts to them. Do not

heed the nonsensical hue and cry of the ones that do not yield to Islamic

codes, since observing the Islamic codes of punishments and lax-talionis

would guarantee the sound existence and the system of the country. Lenience

and negligence in this matter would be similar to having mercy on a sharp-

teethed panther.

Meanwhile, just as the committed nation that loves the Islamic Republic

is urged to identify and introduce the saboteurs and corrupt conspirators to

the concerned officials and if need be help the revolutionary guards and the

police, the armed forces of the country are obliged to hand the devious ones

to the commanders. The commanders are obliged to refer them to the court

so as to investigate, purge and punish them. This is a warning to all

commanders; violators will be called to account. Worthy of note is that since

Saddam sees his downfall approaching, he has resorted to a naive trick and

some of his supporters have also pursued the same line. He says that the holy

month of Ramadan is the month for performing prayers, that fighting in it is

forbidden and that a truce is necessary.

He and his American friends do not know that the holy month of

Ramadan is not among the ―forbidden months2

‖. Saddam launched the war

against us in one of the forbidden months3

and none of his supporters raised

any voice in objection. Today, we are in a defensive position and defending

the motherland is one of the greatest acts of worship.

1 Referring to the munafiqin (hypocrites) terrorist organization members who had hold up in

group hide-outs after exploding the head office of the Islamid Republic Party and maertyring

72 officials of the country, but whose terrorist dens were located one after the other and the

terrorists arrested with peoples cooperation. 2 Four month: Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Safar are months in which battle is

not authorized unless the enemy disregards the sanctity of these months and wages war. 3 Saddams full-scale aggression against Iran was launched in 1400 Dhul-Qadah (1359

Shahrivar), a forbidden month.


33

The Iranian nation knows that our armed forces are engaged in the

greatest act of worship. Our armed forces need to know that the noble

Messenger of God (s) fought against disbelieves in the Holy Month of

Ramadan.

I pray to Almighty God for the victory of Islam against disbelievers and

hypocrites.

May Gods Peace be upon the virtuous servants of God.


Tir 18, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 7, 1401 AH


34

Message

Date: July 11, 1981 [Tir 20, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 9, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the tragedy of explosion in the

headquarters of the Islamic Republic Party

Addressee: Hafiz al-Asad (President of the Republic of Syria)


Mr. Hafiz al-Asad, the President of the Arab Republic of Syria,

I have received your message today in which you have expressed your

condolences on the latest sad tragedy. I appreciate your sympathy and

kindness which you have shown to our nation and to the families of the

martyrs of this sad incident. It is hoped that through unity and solidarity, the

Islamic countries will maintain their independence in the face of the plotters

and colonialists. They will emerge victorious in the fight between Islam and

atheism. May Gods peace and mercy be upon you.


Ramadan 9, 1401 AH


35

Decree



Subject: Amensty of 126 prisoners

Addressee: Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardebili (Chief Justice)

[In His Most Exalted Name

Hadrat Ayatullah Imam Khomeini—may your presence last,

Enclosed herewith is the list of the names of 126 prisoners who have

been granted either amnesty or mitigation in their sentences by the amnesty

commission and the Justice Department pending your approval.

Chief Justice—Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardebili]

In His Most Exalted Name

I agree with this.1


Tir 20, 1360 AHS

1 In accordance with the authorities and duties of the leader provided by the Constitution of the

Islamic Republic of Iran.


36



Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the tragedy of the explosion in the


Addressee: Leoneid Brejenaf (?) (Chairman of the Presidium of the Soviet Union)


Mr. Leoneid Brejenaf (?), Chairman of the Presidium of the Soviet Union,

I received your message in which you expressed your condolences on the

latest sad tragedy. The enemies of humanity and Islam wanted to deal a blow

to our popular Islamic Revolution by this heinous crime, but contrary to their

expectation these desperate efforts and barbarous crimes make our nation

more determined in their struggle against the colonialist, and help them to

close their ranks more tightly. I beseech God to grant ultimate victory to the

world oppressed people over the arrogant powers. I appreciate your

sympathy and kindness.



37





Addressee: Henric Yabloveski (?) (President of Poland)


Mr. Dr. Henric Yabloveski (?), President of Poland,


latest sad tragedy. I appreciate your sympathy and kindness and I beseech

God to grant high status to the martyrs of this tragedy and to annihilate and

despise the plotters and the enemies of Islam and the oppressed people of the

world.


Tir 20, 1360 AHS


38

Message



Subject: Reply to a message of congratulation on the occasion of the blessed month

of Ramadan

Addressee: Qadi Abdul-Sattar (Acting President of the Republic of Bangladesh)


Mr. Qadi Abdul-Sattar, Acting President of the Republic of Bangladesh,

I received your message in which you have expressed your

congratulation on the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan with

pleasure. Reciprocally, we extend our congratulation to you and to the

Muslim people of Bangladesh on the occasion of this blessed month. I

beseech God to grant glory and honor to Islam and to exterminate world

polytheism and atheism.



Ramadan 9, 1401 AH


39





Addressee: Dak Wonam (?) (Prime Minister of Korea)


Tir 21, 1360 AHS

Mr. Dak Wonam (?), Prime Minister of Korea,


latest sad tragedy. I appreciate your sympathy and kindness and I beseech

God to annihilate the enemies of Islam and the oppressed people of the

world.

May Gods peace be upon you.



40



Subject: Reply to a message of congratulation on the occasion of the blessed month

of Ramadan

Addressee: Shadhli Bin Jadid (President of the Republic of Algeria)


Mr. Shadhli Bin Jadid, President of the Republic of Algeria,


congratulations on the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan with

pleasure. I beseech God to grant success to all Muslims in acting according

to Islamic rules throughout the year and especially in this great month.

May Gods peace, mercy be upon you.


Ramadan 10, 1401 AH


41

Letter Date: 1360 AHS / 1401 AH


Subject: Imam Khomeinis reply to letter of a student about contribution to the war

front

Addressee: Muhammad Cheraghi (a student)


Salutations and greetings to the dear Imam. I am a high school student and

took part in a running race two months ago in which I came first. I wrote to

my father, who was in the war front about this win. My father who had been

given six hundred tomans as advance payment by the Basij sent five hundred

tomans to me as prize. I hereby send this money to you to be spent on the

war against atheism.

Dear Imam, if in the early days of Islam soldiers offered their share of water

to each other, we are also prepared to offer our share of bread. God willing, it

will be accepted.

Muhammad Cheraghi, a junior in high school]


Dear brother I received your letter. I accepted the sum and sent it back to

you. I will serve the warfront in your place. I hope you will be successful!



42

Decree

Date: July 23, 1981 [Mordad 1, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 21, 1401 AH]

1


Subject: Appointing reperesentative of Imam to the headquaters supervising the

election of Supreme Judgical Court

Addressee: Muhammad-Ali Saduqi


Your Excellency Hujjat al-Islam Haj Shaykh Muhammad-Ali Saduqi—may

your graces last,

I hereby appoint you as my representative to the headquarters

supervising elections of the Supreme Judicial Court so as to handle the

process of elections according to the rules. I hope you will be successful.


1/5/60

1 In hifeh-ye Nur volume 22, p. 297, the date has been given as 3/5/1360, but the date

given in the handwritten copy is 1/5/1360.


43

Decree Date: July 24, 1981 [Mordad 2, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 22, 1401 AH]


Subject: Amnesty of prisoners



To the blessed presence of Hadrat Ayatullah Imam Khomeini—may your life

last long,

Enclosed herewith is the list of the names of 11 prisoners who have been

granted amnesty or mitigation in their sentence by the Amnesty Commission

of the Justice Department and approval of the Judiciary pending your

approval.

Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardebili]


I agree with this.1


1 In accordance with Article 110 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.


44

Message Date: July 27, 1981 [Mordad 5, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 25, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the occasion of feast of Fitr

Addressee: Shaykh Zaid Bin Sultan Al-i Nahyan (President of UAE)


Shaykh Zaid Bin Sultan Al-i Nahyan, President of UAE,

I received your telegraph of congratulation on the occasion of the feast of

Fitr with pleasure. Reciprocally, we extend our congratulation on the feast of

Fitr to all Muslims. It is hoped that in light of unity of expression and

holding tightly to Gods strong rope, the hands of all the colonialists of the

West and East will be cut off from Islamic countries, and the lost glory will

be restored.



Ramadan 25, 1401 AH


45

Message Date: ?



Addressee: Alyas Sarkis (President of Lebanon)


Mr. Alyas Sarkis, President of Lebanon,

I received your Excellencys telegraph of congratulation on the occasion

of the feast of Fitr with pleasure. Reciprocally, we extend our congratulation

on the feast of Fitr to you and to the Muslim people of Lebanon. I wish you

happiness and success in victory over the enemies of Islam.



46

Message Date: ?


Subject: Reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the occasion of Feast of Fitr

Addressee: a ar-Rahman (President of Bangladesh)


Mr. a ar-Rahman, President of Bangladesh,

I appreciate your telegraph of congratulation on the occasion of the feast

of Fitr. Reciprocally, we extend our congratulation to your Excellency and

your entire nation on this great Islamic feast. I beseech God to grant you

success in realizing the goals.



47

Message Date: ?



Addressee: Bishop Hilaryon Kapochi


Reverend Bishop Hilaryon Kapochi,

I appreciate your telegraph of congratulation on the occasion of the feast

of Fitr. Reciprocally, we extend our congratulation to your Eminence and

to the oppressed and fighting nation of Lebanon and Palestine. I beseech God to

grant victory to you over Zionists and over the enemies of Islam.



48

Decree Date: July 29, 1981 [Mordad 7, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 27, 1401 AH]


Subject: Attending to and meeting the need of the earthquake-striken people of

Kerman Province

Addressee: Muhammad Saduqi (representative of Imam Khomeini and Friday

Prayer leader of Yazd)


Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Aqa Saduqi—may your blessings last,

The unpleasant news of the earthquake of Kerman which in itself is

another test for the righteous servants of God, affected our tormented people.

In cooperation with the clergies of Kerman—may God assist them—you

should make ever effort and take necessary measure to meet the requirements

the honorable and fighting people of this place as soon as possible and

provide with the accounts of the events so as to make the necessary

decisions. Obviously the government, the brothers in the army, the

revolutionary guards and other institutions will carry out their Islamic and

human duties.

Extend my greetings and condolences to the bereaved families of the

earthquake-affected people in the region.

May God grant us victory in the face of recurring tests.


Ramadan 27, 1401 AH


49



Subject: Reply to a message of congratulation on the occasion of feast of Fitr

Addressee: Khalifah Bin Hamad the second (Emir of Qatar)


Mr. Khalifah Bin Hamad the second, Emir of Qatar,

I received his Excellencys message of congratulation on the occasion of

the feast of Fitr with pleasure. Reciprocally, we extend our congratulation

on the feast of Fitr to his Excellency and the Muslims of the world. I beseech

God to grant them happiness and glory.


Ramadan 27, 1401 AH


50




Addressee: Ahmad Sokerto (President of the Republic of Guinea)


Mr. Ahmad Sokerto, President of the Republic of Guinea,

I received his Excellencys message of congratulation on the occasion of


on the feast of Fitr to his Excellency and the Muslims of the world. I beseech

God to grant them glory and honor.



Ramadan 27, 1401 AH


51






Mr. Hafiz al-Asad, President of the Republic of Syria,

I received your Excellencys message of congratulation on the occasion


on the feast of Fitr to your Excellency, the Muslim and the brotherly nation

of Syria. I beseech God to grant you victory over the enemies of Islam,

especially the criminal and occupying Israel.



Ramadan 28, 1401 AH


52




Addressee: Mamun Abdul-Qayyum (President of the Maldives)


Mr. Mamun Abdul-Qayyum, President of the Maldives,

I received your Excellencys telegraph of congratulation on the occasion


on the feast of Fitr to your Excellency, Muslims of the world and the

brotherly nation of the Maldives, I beseech God to grant happiness and glory

to all.



Ramadan 28, 1401 AH


53

Message Date: August 1, 1981 [Mordad 10, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 30, 1401 AH]


Subject: Warning the world Muslims to stand up against imperialism and Zionism

Occasion: International Quds Day

Addressee: Muslims and oppressed people of Iran and the world1


The last Friday of the blessed month of Ramadan has been designated as

the Quds Day and in the last 10 days of Ramadan might be the night of Gadr,

a night whose revival is a divine tradition and whose value is greater than

one thousand months of the hypocrites. It is a night at which the fate of the

people is laid down. Quds Day that coincides with the night of Gadr, must be

revived among Muslims and must act to awaken and aware the people and

help bring them out of their country-long slumber so that this day of

awakening and awareness would be higher than the tens of years of the

superpowers and hypocrites of the world, and the Muslims of the world

would take their own destiny in their own hands. At the night of Gadr

Muslims can set themselves free from the bondage of other than God: that is

the devils from among the djinns and human beings, and yield in to Gods

servitude by keeping vigil and saying prayers. On Quds Day, which is one of

the last days of the great month of God, it is fitting for all Muslims of the

world to come out of the bondage and slavery of the Great Satan and

superpowers and join the eternal power of God, curtailing the grip of the

criminals of history from the oppressed peoples countries and cutting their

thread of greed.

Oh, Muslims and the oppressed people of the world, stand up and take

hold of your destiny. How long are you going to sit and let you destiny be

determined by Washington and Moscow? How long must your Quds remain

crushed by the yoke of the scums of America, the occupying Israel? How

long will the lands of Quds, Palestine, Lebanon and the oppressed Muslims

remain under the domination of the criminals while you stand aside and

1 The text of Imam Khomeinis message on the occasion of International Qods Day (the last

Friday of the blessed month of Ramadan) was read by his son, Sayyid Ahmad Khomeini, to

hundreds of thousands of fasting people who had marched in the street and gathered at Tehran

University campus, the venue for performing the Friday Prayers.


54

watch and some of your traitorous rulers add fuel to the fire? Hoe long

should about one billion Muslims and almost one hundred million Arabs

with vast countries and endless resources witness plunder, oppression and

genocide by the West and the East and their scums? How long will they bear

the heinous crimes against Afghan and Lebanese brothers without responding

to their call? How long are we going to avoid confronting the enemies of

Islam, neglect firearms, military and divine power to save Jerusalem, resort

to politicking and other conciliatory methods, give respite to Israel to commit

crimes and be witness to genocide? Do not these heads know and have not

they seen that political negotiations with the powerful politicians and the

habitual criminals will not save Jerusalem, Palestine and Lebanon and

everyday crimes and oppression are on the increase?

In order to save Jerusalem doctrines based on faith and the power of

Islam must be used and the political games which smack of compromising

with and pleasing the superpowers discarded. Muslim nations and especially

Palestinian and Lebanese nations must warn those who spend time on

political maneuvers and not yield political games which result in nothing

except causing harm to the oppressed nations. How long should the powerful

Muslims be mesmerized by he false myths of Eastern and Western liars and

be intimidated by their empty propaganda trumpets? How long Muslims

should remain negligent of the power of Islam? Muslims brought about the

great conquests and developments in half a century with hands empty of war

weapons and with heart imbued with faith and tongue chanting God the

Greatest and laid the foundation of Islam and monotheism in the then

powerful world. If these victories and developments, which are recorded in

history, are not in the sight of Muslims, the victory of the fighting nation of

Iran with the motivation of the soldiers of early years of Islam whose weapon

was faith, is shinning in the eyes of everyone. The people and Muslims of the

world saw how the brave Iranian nation launched a revolution in the face of

the superpowers of the time and their foreign and domestic associates

without war weapons and brought to fruition the glorious Islamic revolution

despite all problems and drove out the historical criminals from their beloved

country and foiled the plots brewed by the U.S., rightists and leftists one after

the other with heart filled with faith and belief. Women, men, the young and

old intrepidly entered the scene to determine the destiny of their country.

Today, with the grace of God, the organs of the Islamic Republic have been

set up by individuals committed to the ideology and believing in the Islamic

Republic, who have driven out the mischief-makers and the plotters. Despite

propaganda operations handled by the U.S., the Zionists and those who


55

received a slap on the cheek from the revolution, Iran is today moving from

towards ultimate construction. This is a lesson for the Islamic countries and

the oppressed people of the world to discover their Islamic power and not to

fear the drunken brawls of the East and West, their associates and their

scums. By trusting in God and relying on the power of Islam and faith, they

should rise up and drive out the criminals, place the liberation of Jerusalem

on top of their agenda, cast off the ignominy of being under the domination

of the Zionists who are the U.S. dregs, and keep the Quds day alive. It is

hoped that by keeping this day alive, the apathy and inattentiveness would

fade away and that by uprising of honorable nations, some treacherous heads

of states who have joined hands with Israel and succumbed to the dictates of

America and still carry on with their disgraceful political and criminal life

and against the interests of Muslims, would be driven out of scene, to be

buried in the dustbin of history. The usurping rulers who took side with the

infidels in the war between the infidels like Israel and Saddam and Muslims,

and deal blows to Islam and Muslims must be stripped of ruling the Muslims.

The honorable nations of Iraq, Egypt and other countries under the

domination of hypocrites, must rise up, disregard the corrupt propaganda

machinery presenting these criminals as Muslims, and not shallow powers of

these traitors.

Muslims and people of the world saw how Saddam, theU.S. mercenary,

attacked Iran which thinks of nothing except Islam and the interests of

Muslims, but got knocked on his head so strongly that he is now begging the

heads of Arab states and is looking for refuge in Israel as a way to escape so

as to be saved from the inevitable downfall. The Iranian nation along with

the brave armed forces have dealt such a blow to him and to his criminal

followers that there is no escape short of surrender or downfall and his idiotic

ruses and the Zionist propaganda trumpets will not save him.

The Iranian nation and government, the parliament and the armed forces

who are today standing in a single line with Islam and divine unity, are

determined to stand up against any satanic power transgressing upon human

rights, defend the oppressed people, support Lebanon and the dear Quds

(Jerusulem) until restoration of the Quds and Palestine to the fold of

Muslims. Muslims of the world should look upon Quds Day as the day of

Muslims if not all the oppressed people of the world and from this critical

point stand up against the arrogant powers and world-devourers and never sit

by until liberation of the oppressed people from the tyranny of the powerful

ones. The oppressed people, who constitute the overwhelming majority of

the world, should rest assured that Gods promise is near fulfillment and the


56

jinxed star of the superpowers is on the wane. The nation of Iran, dear sisters

and brothers know that the great revolution of Iran is unique and

characterized by great values, chief among them being its commitment to

ideology and the Islamic values for which the grand prophets rose up. It is

hoped that this revolution will serve as a divine spark to cause explosion

among tyrannized masses, culminating in the dawning revolution of the

savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him). The honorable Iranian people

who have accomplished such a great revolution should ever more struggle to

keep it up and establish their presence ever more diligently in materializing

the divine justice. My dear ones you should note that the more valuable a

revolution is, it will become more necessary to make sacrifices in order to

actualize it. A revolution in the cause of God and for establishing divine

government is the same for which grand prophets made sacrifices and the

Holy prophet of Islam made great sacrifices, devoting all his energy to its

promotion up to the last moments of his blessed life. The great Imams of

Islam sacrificed everything they had for the same purpose. We who consider

our sieves to be the followers of Muhammad (s) and the immaculate Imams

(a) and as their people should follow in their footsteps and endure the

problems with revolutionary patience for the sake of the right path and not

fear the sabotages worked by fraudulent people in whom we can see the

traces of defeat and weakness. We should sacrifice for right path and the

great Islam just as the grand prophets and Imams did. God is on the side of

Mujahideen and oppressed people. Salutation to the beloved Islam, to those

struggling in cause of the truth, to the martyrs in the cause of God throughout

history, to the martyrs of Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and Afghanistan and to the

Muslim combatants fighting in the fronts of right against wrong. Gods peace

is upon the righteous servants of God.



57

Decree Date: August 1, 1981 [Mordad 10, 1360 AHS / Ramadan 30, 1401 AH]



Occasion: Auspicious feast of Fitr



Your Eminance Ayatullah al-Uzma Imam Khomeini,

Enclosed herewith is the list of the names of 19 prisoners of the Islamic

revolutionary court of the Army deserving amnesty or mitigation of their

sentences pending your approval.

Sayyid Abdulkarim Musawi Ardebili


I agree with this.1


Mordad 10, 1360 AHS

1 In accordance with article 110 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.


58




Addressee: Ali NaSir Muhammad (President of South Yemen)


Mr. Ali NaSir Muhammad, President of South Yemen,

I received your Excellencys message of congratulation on the occasion of


on the occasion of the feast of Fitr to your Excellency and to your Muslim

and brotherly nation. I beseech God to grant happiness and honor to Muslims

of the world.



Ramadan 30, 1401 AH


59


Place: Jamaran

Subject: Reply to message of congratulation on the occasion of the auspicious feast

of Fitr

Addressee: Qadi Abdus-Sattar (Acting President of Bangladesh)


Dear Mr. Qadi Abdus-Sattar, Acting President of Bangladesh,

Thank you for your message of congratulation on the advent of the

auspicious feast of Fitr. Reciprocally, we congratulate you and the brotherly

people of Bangladesh on this auspicious Islamic Feast. I beseech Almighty

God to grant majesty and happiness to the world Muslims. And peace be

upon you.


Ramadan 30, 1401 AH


60

Decree Date: August 2, 1981 [Mordad 11, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 1, 1401 AH]


Subject: Confirming Mr. Muhammad-Ali Rajais presidency

Addressee: Iranian nation; MuhammadAli Rajai (President)


Endless praise to the bounties blessings of Almighty God Who has

granted the noble and committed Iranian nation success that despite

mounting problems their presence on the scene and support of Islamic

Republic, which is the product of their own sacrifices grow ever more

stronger. Despite the propaganda campaign launched by the internal and

external enemies, they elected Mr. Muhammad-Ali Rajai (may Almighty

God approve of him) as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran by

displaying greater turnout than the previous elections, and placed this great

responsibility and heavy burden upon him. Since the legitimacy of his

presidency should be confirmed by wali-ye faqih1

, I hereby confirm the noble

nations vote and declare him President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This

appointment and confirmation will remain in force as long as he moves in

line with the dear Islam, follows its sacred rules, obeys Irans Constitution,

works diligently to secure the interests of the country and the noble nation

within his legal jurisdiction, and does not violate divine orders and the

Constitution. If God-forbid, he acts on the contrary, I will strip him of this

legitimacy.2

He should also take note of the fact that the brave Iranian people

have cast their votes accordingly as it is clearly seen in their conduct. I hope

he would wholeheartedly and to the best of his capabilities endeavor to

safeguard the divine trust and to responsibility consigned to him by the

nation. I further hope that he will remain faithful to his promise before the

Omnipresent God and the nation that is always present on the scenes and to

take care of the situation and the developments. He should seriously act in

accordance with Gods command where He has invited the believers to be

1 According to Article 110 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the leader of the

Islamic system, walii-ye faqih, is the authority that confirms the credentials of the president

following his election by direct votes of the nation. 2 Based on the same constitutional article.


61

kind and merciful in dealing with themselves, and hard against the opponents

of Islam.1

In practicing the truth, he should not fear the blame of people

displaying ill will, side with the right in his supervision over the three

branches of power and feel a sense of pride in serving the servants of God,

particularly the oppressed masses of people since fidelity to Islam and the

Islamic Republic has been demonstrated. It is hoped that at this sensitive

juncture when the internal and external enemies have consolidated their

forces to undermine the Islamic Republic, people from all walks of life,

including the ulama, the intellectuals, the researchers, the armed forces, the

farmers, the office workers, the factory workers, the managers, the

merchants, the businessmen, the moving tribes and the border dwellers be in

one voice with the esteemed president, the cabinet, the parliament and other

Islamic bodies to curtail the hands of criminals and traitors, struggle for

solidification of the Islamic Republic, make sacrifices to build an

independent and free Iran, and serve our country and its oppressed people

with unity of expression.

The coincidence of the presidential elections with the holy month of

fasting and the auspicious feats of Fitr bodes well for the Presidents

success in serving the dear nation and country.

I pray to Almighty God for the success of all in constructing the dear

country.


Shawwal 1, 1401 AH / Mordad 11, 1360 AHS

1 Surah al-Fath 48:29: ―Muhammad, the Messenger of God and those who follow him, are

hard against the disbelievers, but merciful among themselves…”.


62

Speech Date/Time: Forenoon, August 2, 1981 [Mordad 11, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 1, 1401

AH]

Place: Jamaran Husayniyyah, Tehran

Subject: Advice to the president and other government officials; highlighting the

great responsibility of the president towards the peoples vote.

Occasion: Auspicious feast of Fitr, ceremonies to confirm the presidency of Mr.

Rajai

Audience: Sayyid Ali Khamenei (Tehrans Friday Prayer Leader, Imams

representative in the Supreme Defense Council and MP from Tehran); Mssrs Akbar

Hashemi Rafsanjani (Parliament Speaker); Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi-Ardebili

(Chief Justice); Deputy Joint Chief of Staff, Valiyullah Fallahi; Defense minister and

Commander of the Air Force, Jawad Fakuri; Navy Commander, Bahram Afzali;

Army Commander, Qasim-Ali Zahirnejad; Gendarmerie Commander, Foruzan;

Tehran Police Chief; Guardian Council members and Majlis deputies.


Advice to the president and officials

I hereby congratulate this auspicious feast of Fitr to the Iranian nation,

all oppressed nations around the world and Muslims in all Islamic countries,

particularly the audience.

What I deem necessary to tell the president and all the countrys civil and

military servants is that whatever befalls an individual, whether favorable, or

unfavorable, is the result of that individuals own conduct. It is mans own

efforts that elevate him to high peaks of humanity or to degeneration in this

world and the hereafter.

God has created human beings in a way that they are able to select the

right or wrong path. All prophets from the first one to the last were sent to

guide man to the straight path. If we manage to refine ourselves, we would

succeed in all our other affairs. If, God forbid, we fail in achieving our

Islamic and humanitarian objectives, we would still benefit from the divine

success reserved for Gods righteous and committed servants.

We should not fear that we may fail in achieving success in what we do,

whether in our personal affairs, that is just between God and us or in our

social commitments. Our main concern should be lest we may unable to

perform our divine responsibilities. We ourselves are the source of concern.


63

If we perform the duties determined by Almighty God, we need not

worry about suffering defeat, either in confrontation with the West, or with

the East; either in dealing with the internal difficulties or in facing the

external problems. Yet, if we fail in performing our divine tasks we are

defeated; in fact, we would be the ones who defeated ourselves.

Insusceptibility to posts and positions

Today, I should give a piece of advice to Mr. Rajai just as I did to the

former president1

. Posts and positions, whatever they might be, may alienate

man if ones vision is confined to material objectives and he considers them

valuable.

Consider the size of the planet we live in, called earth, in comparison to

the solar system and that of the solar system, of which our earth is, but only a

small planet, to galaxies so far discovered. Man has so far discovered stars

existing as far as six billion light years form our earth. This means if the light

of the last star would move toward earth, it would take six billion years to

reach us. Consider the undiscovered galaxies beyond. Rest assured, that they

exceed far beyond our observation. Still they are insignificant in comparison

with the grandeur of the Creator. Consider how weak we are in this tiny

plant, which along with the solar system is only a small particle compared to

the endless universe. If our planet gets lost, no one would ever be able to

keep track of it in this colossal culture of universe. How much of this plant is

at our disposal? Just Iran that is a small part of the planet earth, and the

political system in Iran is also a minute government in this planet which is in

turn a small particle in comparison to the galaxy which is a tiny particle

when compared to other galaxies, all of which have been created by the

Creator. If we accept servitude to God and heart is brightened up by Gods

light to servitude, this insignificant matter that is not counted in the world

should not impress us. You2

were a prime minister yesterday, a minister the

day before that, a teacher prior to that, and a student earlier than that.

Tomorrow, no one knows for sure when you would leave here. It is even

possible that as you are leaving this room or here a bomb may, God forbid,

explode and kill all of us. When such is the case, why should a man differ

greatly before and after accepting responsibility as a president? What is a

presidency after all? What is the whole world in the eyes of one whose heart

is brightened with the light of monotheism? What is the whole universe? The

whole universe is nothing compared to the grandeur of God. Yet, the whole

1 Mr. Abul-Hasan Bani-Sadr. 2 Martyr Muhammad-Ali Rajai.


64

material universe is nothing compared to the existing spiritual worlds. Then,

should we assume to be something and belittle others as soon as we become

the sheriff of a small village, a city, or a country? If you look at yourself of

which none save God is aware and of which you yourself are somehow

aware and see that the position you have achieved as the result of the interest.

God implanted in peoples heart to vote for you, has taken hold of you, do

not hesitate to refine yourself. Beware lest you may, God-forbid, ruin your

life in this world and the hereafter.

Presidents responsibility towards peoples vote

Almighty God is Omnipresent, and the whole world is His court.

Thoughts occurring to our mind, all moments of our lives and what crosses

our heart are present before God. We have to return to him and answer for

our deeds. The greater the number of votes, the heavier the responsibility. If

you had won five million votes, your responsibility would have been lighter.

Now that it is thirteen million your responsibility is heavier. Every one of the

people who has voted for you and chosen you as the president of Islam, as

the president of an Islamic country, will tomorrow call you to account. I

appoint you to be an Islamic president and to approve of Islam and

implement it in this country. But if you fail to perform that duty, at lEast

thirteen million and some hundred thousand people would question you.

Would you then be able to answer before God? Such a crowd would question

you on the day of resurrection, and you have to answer them, but we cannot.

Therefore, you should be careful lest your yesterday may differ from your

present status. You should serve people in all circumstances. Those who

struggled, sacrificed their lives and property and were at pains to bring you

gentlemen to this position. You were once a prime minister and are now the

president. They want you to be answerable to them.

If you would step in crooked deals, the very thirteen million people who

have voted for you today would chant ―down with‖ you tomorrow. That is

the nature of a revolution. Such is a revolution. The people would no longer

yield to one blindly. Every one of these people has his/her comments. You

notice when TV conducts an opinion poll, men, women, the young and old

give their opinion. They are not indifferent. If any of us violates the demands

of this nation—that is—Islam and Islamic comands, not only will we be

called to account by people here, but also we will be held accountable before

God on the day of resurrection with no answer to give. These people would

not leave you alone; they will call you to task here in this world. The

resurrectin day is a different story. These thirteen million plus people who


65

have trusted you and voted for you would turn their back on you if, God-

forbid, you would divert form Islam and the path this nation has chosen. On

the day of resurrection your account will be examined meticulously. Here,

once people turn their backs on you, you would get back home and sit there,

but condition on the Judgment Day is different and unescapable. You need to

be fully prepared for that day. If our souls are so attached to this world,

collapsed and unable to resist temptations and we do not care to purify our

souls, this attachment to the world and debased allurement and abandoning

spiritual values would transform us into beasts of burden. The same thing

befalling us in this world has an image in the next world. All the things that

take place in this world have an image there. If man, with his upright posture

would pay all his attention to material aspects of life, he would lose his

standing position in the hereafter. He would then resemble animals, with his

head on the ground and legs in the air. All torments in the next world are the

results of our own deeds in this world.

Almighty God does not impose torments except our own deeds; all the

torments are the result of the deeds carried out by us. There are several holy

verses in the glorious Quran that refer to this fact, arguing that what befalls

us is triggered by our own deeds; nothing is imposed on us outside our own

deeds.

An account of the ascendance to heaven (Miraj) quotes the holy prophet

as saying that some of the angels were busy planting trees and doing other

things, while stopping work at other times. The holy prophet inquires about

this, to which Angel Gabriel responds—as having been quoted—that these

(trees...) are the raw materials man provides in the world for the next world

by ones deeds. The same thing applies to Hell. If, God-forbid, we do not

believe in Heaven and Hell, we will still suffer the punishment in this world.

No excuse acceptable from officials in serving the nation

You should notice that since you have won very many votes, your

responsibility is great as well. This does not mean that the other gentlemen

are not responsible; they are also responsible. We are all responsible towards

Islam. We should pass the Islam which has been entrusted to us and for

which we are now responsible, down to the posterity. There was once a day

when some of us, or maybe all of us, provided excuses to the effect that we

were not free to act in accordance with Islam. During the previous regime,

there were many who argued that there was no opportunity to change the

situation and that if there had been the opportunity, they would have done

something. Today, the situation is quite different. Everyone is free to do it.


66

Today, the Majlis (parliament) is free with no domineering power to impose

its dictates on it. The government is also free and has the support of the

parliament. The president is free and has the approval of the nation. Today,

we have no excuse. If any sort of destruction is brought about the country

and we fail to mend it, we will not be excused. All of us, both the military

commanders present here or not, and those who are serving the country and

other people are all responsible. You are all shepherds (of this livestock), and

you are all responsible1

. When we are all responsible and should all provide

answer before God we need to think of this country and Islam that has found

its way to this country and that is welcome. We should not be preoccupied

with trivial things associated with status of president. This is indicative of a

weakness in ones self, a myopic outlook, driving us to assume such posts as

being valuable. However, it is something conventional. One might be

president today, but stripped of it the other day. One would then have to go

after the his own business. You should serve this nation which has made so

many selfless efforts, scarified its children, wealth and lives to remove that

regime and bring you to power. The army, the Islamic Revolution Guard

Corps, gendarmerie and all armed forces should serve this country that has

fallen into their hands. This is a trust in your hands. It is not merely the

question of today and here. If, God-forbid, the army displays laxity and

suffers a defeat, it will feel the point of disgrace in this world. However, the

question is not this world; it is the world of which we are neglectful. All your

deeds and all your serious efforts are fully recorded in the world and we have

to provide answer. Our military officers need to respond if, God-forbid, they

fail somewhere. Those holding the rein of affairs should also provide answer.

You should work for the oppressed masses of people who have always been

ignored by the upper classes. The authorities main concern was to keep the

upper classes pleased and, as the saying goes, made friends with the sheriff in

order to loot the villagers. You should, however, spend all your efforts to

serve the oppressed people who are painstakingly safeguarding the country in

the warfronts, and who are making sacrifices behind the frontlines. They

were always ignored by the former regime.

Do not be pleased with the services offered in certain places. I know

something has been done for people and that a lot has been done.

Nevertheless, you should not be pleased. You should join hands to provide

for the well-being of these people. We are indebted to them; they have cast

thirteen million votes for you, and therefore you are indebted to them,

1 Bihar al-Anwar, v. 8, p. 123, h. 19.


67

although you are also indebted to the rest of the nation. Also, when a new

cabinet takes shape, that cabinet should alse be indebted to these people. If it

were not for the efforts made by these people, you would have still been in

prisons suffering those pains. You are therefore indebted to this nation that

has taken your hands and placed you in such a high position. You should be

at their service. You, we and all of us need to serve them. Being at the

service of people is a great pride and dignity for all of us. They are the

servants of God and He loves them. We are responsible to serve them. I hope

Mr. Rajai, who commands a refind spirit, will not be beguiled by this

position. You are the one who should mount on this position and not vice

versa.

If mans spirit is so elevated that he mounts the position given to him, no

matter how high the position is, he will harness it, and will get close to

happiness. If, however, he has a weak spirit, as soon as he achieves a post,

that position will mount him, take him wherever he wishes and lead him to

destruction. I pray to Almighty God to assist you succeed in serving the

people, and all those in charge of responsibility wherever they are, be they in

the parliament, the Judiciary, the government, or in the armed forces. I wish

them all successful. We are under attack form inside and outside. The

insiders are, thanks God, no longer to be taken into account. We are in dire

need of getting united to save this country. We should not be like those

people who conduct corrupt acts stealthily, like thieves who pick up

something and sneak away.

God willing, I hope you and us will succeed in serving this society.

I am deeply sorry that these developments, which I tried hard to forestell,

have take place. Yet it happened. As the saying goes, ―good lies in what

comes about.‖ May God protect all of you. May your deeds be sanctioned.

Advice to saboteurs and wrongdoers

Let me give a piece of advice to those who have sneaked to corners and

are engaged in wrong acts. We are willing that you come to serve your

country. We wish all are servants of this country which is subject to attacks

from all sides, while superpowers are ready to devour it. You, who claim to

love this country and this nation, join hands to build the country together.

Why are you at loggerheads with one another? Is killing the people who are

serving this nation a way of serving the people? Let us take this respected

gentleman, who has attended this gathering with much difficulty, and I am

delighted to see Mr. Khamenei, may God grant him full health. What wrong

had he done after all? Name one wrong deed that he did reason for your


68

effort aimed at assassinating him, but you failed. What had the others, whom

you killed and eliminated, done, except accusation of being totalitarian

leveled by you in the ruckus you mounted? This has not been the case. We

are aware of the root of these charges. Nevertheless, we pray to Almighty

God to guide all to come back to the fold of Islam and to become the servants

of this nation. I do not like those who left Iran to sink themselves in greater

filth. I advise them not to go with the germs that fled the country, and not to

sit together and talk to them so that they would also realize that duty is to

serve and safeguard this country.

Perhaps you will come back to Iran after ten or twenty years; leave a way

open to you. Do not get detached form the nation, heeding your own

business, seeking alliance with Bakhtiyar, who has announced he would not

accept you. You really do not need to go.

You can all be servants of your own nation; return to this country; the

nation welcomes you back. I pray to Almighty God to guide us all to the

right path, to bring this Islamic Republic to fruition, and to turn us into

servants of this country.

Let us all be kind with one another and serve this country in a friendly

atmosphere. Why enmity? Why should we be the enemies of one another?

Let us all be friends in reconstructing the country.



69

Message

Date: August 3, 1981 [Mordad 12, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 2, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the earthquake of Kerman1

Addressee: Ali Nasir Muhammad (President of SouthYemen)


Shawwal 2, 1401 AH

Mr. Ali Nasir Muhammad, President of South Yemen,

I received your Excellencys telegraph on the heartrending tragedy of the

recent earthquake in Kerman. I appreciate your sympathy for this

catastrophic disaster. I beseech God to grant high status to the martyrs and

patience to their families. May Gods peace be upon you.


1 On 6/5/1360 AHS at 20:54 for the second time since the beginning of the year, an

earthquake measuring 6/8 to 7 on Richter Scale hit Kerman city and its outskirts, especially

areas such as: Golbaf, Seraj, Shadad, Andohajarad, Joshan and Rafasnjan. The epicenter of

this earthquake was between Golbaf city and Shadad (and the villages of the region). The

earthquake claimed 1200 lives, injured 800 people and destroyed.


70

Decree Date: August 3, 1981 [Mordad 12, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 2, 1401 AH]





Your Eminence Ayatullah Imam Khomeini (May your presence last),

Enclosed herewith is the list of the names of 38 prisoners who have been

granted either amnesty or mitigation in their sentences by the Amnesty

Commission of the Justice Department pending your approval.

Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardebili]


I agree with this.1


1 In accordance with the duties and authorities of the leader in the Constitution of the Islamic

Republic of Iran as stated in article 110 of the Constitution.


71

Message Date: August 4, 1981 [Mordad 13, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 3, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a message of congratulation on the occasion of the auspicious

feast of Fitr

Addressee: Khalid Bin Abdul-Aziz (King of Saudi Arabia)


Mr. Khalid Bin Abdul-Aziz, king of Saudi Arabia,


congratulation on the occasion of the auspicious feast of Fitr with pleasure.

Reciprocally, we extend our congratulation to your Excellency and to the

Muslim and brotherly people of Saudi Arabia on this great Islamic

celebration. It is hoped that Islamic countries and nations will be under the

banner of unity so as to cut off the evil hands of the enemies of Islam and

Muslims, especially the world-devouring America from the Islamic countries

and to restore their lost glory. Peace be upon you.


Shawwal 3, 1401 AH


72

Message




feast of Fitr

Addressee: Shadhli Bin Jadid (President of Algeria)


Mr. Shadhli Bin Jadid, President of Algeria,



Reciprocally, we extend our congratulation to your Excellency and to the

brotherly and revolutionary people of Algeria on this great Islamic

celebration. I implore God to grant happiness and success to all in elevating

the beloved Islam.


Shawwal 5, 1401 AH


73

Message



Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the earthquake of Kerman

Addressee: Qadi Abdul-Sattar (Acting President of the Republic of Bangladesh)


Mr. Qadi Abdul-Sattar, Acting President of the Republic of Bangladesh,

I received your telegraph on the heartrending tragedy of the recent

earthquake in Kerman. I appreciate your sympathy and kindness and beseech

God to grant success and glory to all Muslims of the world and to the

brotherly people of Bangladesh.



Shawwal 5, 1401 AH


74




Addressee: Leoned Berjenef (?) (Chairman of the Presidium of the Soviet Union)


Mr. Leoned Berjenef (?), Chairman of the Presidium of the Soviet Union,


earthquake in Kerman with appreciation. I beseech God to grant success and

happiness to all oppressed people of the world and patience to the families of

this sad disaster.


Shawwal 5, 1401 AH

1 The earthquake on 6/5/1360 AHS in the province of Kerman.


75

Message






Mr. Shadhli Bin Jadid, President of the Republic of Algeria,


earthquake in Kerman. I appreciate your sympathy and kindness and beseech

God to grant success and glory to all Muslims of the world and to the

brotherly people of Algeria.



Shawwal 5, 1401 AH

1 The heartrending event of the earthquake of Mordad 6, 1360 AHS, which measured 6/8 to 7

on the Richter scale incurred heavy losses and claimed many lives in the areas surrounding

Kerman city (Golpaf, Seraj, Shadad, Andohajrad, Joshan etc.)


76

Message




Addressee: Ahmad Sokoroto (?) (President of the Republic of Guinea)


Shawwal 7, 1401 AH

Mr. Ahmad Sokoroto (?), President of the Republic of Guinea,

I received your telegraph on the sad tragedy of the recent earthquake in

Kerman. I appreciate your sympathy and kindness and beseech God to grant

success and health to the brotherly people of Guinea and to all Muslims of

the world.




77




Addressee: Paul Lausinis (?) (President of the Republic of Hungary)


Mr. Paul Lausinis (?) President of the Republic of Hungary,


earthquake in Kerman. I appreciate your sympathy and kindness and implore

God to grant success to the deprived people of the world in their victory over

the arrogant powers.


Shawwal 7, 1401 AH


78




feast of Fitr

Addressee: Yasir Arafat (President of PLO)


Mr. Yasir Arafat, President of PLO,



Reciprocally, we extend our congratulation to Muslim brothers of Palestine

and to the entire world Muslims. I implore God to grant liberation to the

Islamic lands, especially the beloved Quds and release them from the

occupation of the enemies and the world-devouring superpowers.



Shawwal 9, 1401 AH


79

Message




Addressee: Theodore Chekef (?) (President of the Republic of Bulgaria)


Shawwal 9, 1401 AH

Mr. Theodore Chekef (?), President of the Republic of Bulgaria,

I received your telegraph on the sad tragedy of the recent earthquake in

Kerman. I appreciate your sympathy and beseech God to grant victory to all

oppressed people of the world over arrogant powers.



80

Speech Date/Time: Forenoon, August 10, 1981 [Mordad 19, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 9, 1401

AH]


Subject: Complications within the Islamic Revolution in Iran compared with other

revolutions

Audience: Members of the Islamic Associations of Iranian students in Europe;

members of the Islamic Association of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Service Company


Comparing shortcomings of the Islamic revolution with other revolutions

I appreciate the presence of the representatives of foreign-based Iranian

Islamic associations and the representatives of the Islamic associations of the

Bus Service Company.

Today the country belongs to you. God will reward your efforts aimed at

serving the Islamic nation. It is no longer the case that you suffer hardships,

while foreign powers exploit your efforts (harvest the fruit of your labor).

Thanks God, the hands of criminals and traitors have been curtailed from the

country and the few remaining leftovers would soon join their masters.

There are certain topics I would like to touch upon. Our country went

through certain hardships during the Constitutional Revolution and at times

when regimes were changed, of which our youths are relatively unaware,

because they were not present then. Our youths are also relatively unaware of

the events following other revolutions, or if they know, their knowledge is

based on what they have read or heard about them. Such information is not

first-hand and based on what they have seen. But today, they are exposed to

news on certain discrepancies, news on murders and massacres, bombs that

explode here and there and other such news on disastrous incidents that take

place in the country.

You do not know what would happen when the Qajar dynasty was about

to come to power, or when a monarchical regime was to be replaced by

another one, or what Aqa Muhammad Qajar1

did in Iran. He built towers out

1 Aqa Muhammad Khan Qajar, Founder of the Qajar dynasty, who was assassinated in 1212 AH and whose massacre of

Kerman residents is well-known.


81

of heads of people, and did many similar acts. Read the history of the

Constitutional Revolution and see what happened when the constitutionalism

was in place, through the revolution was not meant to change the

monarchical regime. Its only aim was to harness totalitarian regime to some

extent and make it committed to Constitutional laws. Notice how much crime

was carried out in Azarbaijan, in Tehran and in northern provinces and how

many noble and learned citizens were massacred. If you study the revolutions

taking place in the world or the small-scale revolution in Iran, you will see

that this revolution has been a peaceful one compared to all other ones which

have taken place throughout history. It has been a revolution with many eye-

catching fruits and few losses. You often do not pay proper attention to the

volume of work you have accomplished within these few years. Those who

go abroad and study the developments outside Iran as well as the Muslims or

oppressed people in other countries know well what has happened in Iran and

appreciate the depth of this revolution.

You uprooted a 2500-year tyrannical regime backed by all major powers

in the world and supplanted it by an Islamic government in Iran. This is not

an insignificant matter and definitely some losses brings about. It is a great

accomplishment. You are a single nation standing against all powers in the

world and are at odds with all the powers that are against you. All the same,

you stood and pushed aside all. Do not neglect that what you have

accomplished is unique in the world.

Do not think that a bunch of poor, deceived people cheated by their

masters who planned to take control of the countrys affairs can do anything

against the nation. Since this country is Islamic, we could not trust those who

do not believe in Islam to rule over the country. Now they are trying to mess

up the situation here. They have fled from Iran one by one and are living

abroad. Of course they talk too much, arguing that they will do so and so.

When they were in the country they could not do a damned thing. Now that

they have gone abroad they claim they will do such and such from there. Do

not think that there they are on good terms with one another; they are at

loggerheads with one another. The hypocrites and disbelievers cannot ever

form a united front to do something. All they can do is to give interviews,

talk and use obscene language against us and one another. A bunch of

politically bankrupt figures who fled the country disguised as laidies1

are now

sitting there, wishing to take the helm of government in Iran. They claim that

the whole Iranian nation supports them. Well, if they have such a great

1 Abul-Hasan Bani-Sadr and Masud Rajawi.


82

number of supporters in Iran, where have they gone then? Well, they should

have remained in Iran by the side of their staunch supporters. They should

have pushed aside this bunch of illiterate turbanned mullahs and took their

place!

The nation should feel responsible for the countrys affairs

The question is that since we have not properly studied revolutions, we

think that as soon as four firecrackers were set off in Tehran or, let us

suppose, four bombs went off in Tehran, some significant development has

come about. Not at all! These are nothing. Any twelve-year-old child can

carry one of those bombs and place among a crowd and run away. It is not a

significant question prompting us to sit together to do so and so regarding it.

Of course, since a bunch of ignorant youths, whom we always wished were

able to serve their own country and Islam have been cheated and engaged in

suche childish acts as killing a Muslim, a child or an old women need to be

checked by the nation. The people should not sit and watch the government

to take care of everything. There was a day when the government was quite

segregated from the people. When they were separate, they argued that there

were certain things to be done by the government and had nothing to do with

the people. If a war broke out those days, the people did not at all intervene.

If they did not pray for the defeat of tyrants, they would at lEast remain

indifferent. When Rida Khan was forced to leave Iran, the nation intended to

celebrate the occasion, since a tyrant had left the country. If everything has

now been established in the country, it is because there is no distinction

between the people and the government. The people are themselves ruling.

The people elected a president and the peoples deputies appointed the prime

minister as well. All are from the people. They have not brought this or that

lord or baron from the United States or France. Now, the government, the

parliament and all are from the people. The nation should not sit idle and

expect the government to do everything for them. You have not been sitting

idle from the very beginning. When the war broke out, all of you intervened

and stuggled behind the warfronts. Everyone contributed to the extent of

his/her ablity. Those in the city bus company made their efforts and our

friends abroad and our youth also, assisted the combatants. It is not a

problem driving us to think something important has taken place. The fact is

that a couple of opium addicts and criminals are sitting abroad and work to

take the helm of affairs in the country. Such a thing would never come true.


83

Hypocrites futile efforts in creating terror and intimidation

I feel sad to see that these young people have been cheated by these

deviants. The gate of repentance is open. Islam and Almighty God have left

that door open to all. Today, if all those who have gone abroad and intend to

disturb the government in Iran repent and return to their country and truly

want to serve their country, they are welcome; no one creates any trouble for

them. They have gone abroad to kick up a fuss. They themselves know that

they cannot do anything. Yet, they keep up appearances. Well, one who gets

from Iran by hiding in the toilets of the airports wants to take control of the

government in Iran and one entire nation is on his side. Only one tenth of the

Iranian nation supports Islam. Except this, all are opposed to the Islamic

government! Well, these are childish talk. Unfortunately, people who could

serve their nation have fallen prey to such traps. They have thus ruined their

own prestige. If they have suffered hardship in the past, they have thus

crossed them out. Of course, the firecracker games played in Iran definitely

inflict certain losses on us, but they are not the sign of their power. They

throw firecrackers and hide bombs. This can be done by any child. Every

thief can sneak into a certain place and plant a bomb there. That is no serious

matter; no token of their strength. It is on the contrary the sign of their

weakness and wretchedness, and a good proof of their corrupt and cruel

nature. All the same, we feel sorry for our youths who have been allured into

such games. We feel sorry for these young boys and girls. I encourage them

to notice that the ones who urge them to commit such crimes are never on the

scene themselves and are busy playing their nasty games abroad. Even those

ones who direct the cheated youth from ruined team houses inside Iran urge

these cheated young boys and girls to go out and resist, and to prepare the

atmosphere so that they may be able sneak out from their refuges and emerge

as rulers. Well, why are you so simple as to be cheated by them? Based on

what logic should you risk your lives, blood and every other valuable thing

you have, for those you do not even properly know? You are doing it for

those who neither believe in Islam nor in the Quran. They just keep quoting

Quranic verses very often. Yet, when you read their books, you clearly

notice how much they are deviated from the right path, and from the Islamic

teachings. We say that if our youths serve Islam, they are therefore at the

service of God. Everything comes from God, for whom we should give them

out. Well, you poor youths who have been entrapped by them, for whom are

you offering your blood? We say for God. What about you? If it is for God,

the Islamic Republic is now a government that is concerned with

establishment of Islamic laws. If you really offer your blood for a few


84

corrupt persons who do not believe in Islam and the nation but kill your

friends, you need to give it a thought as to why you do these things.

Man needs to have a source to rely on. Our nation relies on God in

fighting in the warfronts. The combatants fight in the theater and perform the

night prayer. They struggle against the enemy of Islam. If they are martyred

in action, God will reward them. They enjoy high prestige in the sight of God

and people. But whom do you trust? You are provoked by a handful of

mercenaries to kill people in the street. You are a number of poor people

having been cheated by foreign-based agents who drive you to conduct

explosion in public places and kill ordinary people. Will your leaders such as

Bakhtiyar 1

and the likes of him do anything for you? If you are killed, will

Bakhtiyar and Rajavi 2

or others do anything for you? We trust God. What

about you? If you also trust God, well, you are on our side. So, lets begin to

serve this country.

You complained of suffocating atmosphere. Where? You constantly talk

about political suffocation, club wielders and other issues. But when your

team houses are spotted, lots of clubs, daggers, bombs, etc. are discovered

there. But you cannot ever find such things in the houses of people believing

in Islam. In their houses, you can only find the Quran, books and the like. If

you believe in Islam, come out of your hiding places and serve Islam. You

are young adults who have been cheated, for which one is deeply sorry.

Return to the fold of your own nation and your own Islam. How long do you

want to be at the service of aliens? Are you aware of the scope of these

peoples relations with foreigners? Many of you watched on TV last nigh how

close relationship these people have with Qasimlu,3

with the Democrat

Party4

, with Koumeleh Party or with this and that. Well, what are such people

going to do for you? What have they done for you? Can they secure the

independence of your country? Each one goes its own way. One is royalist

and works for the monarchy and for Rida Pahlavi,5

the other one, I do not

know, for what or for the National Front, etc. None cares for Islam. They

1 Shapur Bakhtiyar the last Prime Minister of the Pahlavi regime. 2 Masud Rajawi, ringleader of munafiqin Terrorist Organisation. 3 Abdur-Rahman Qasimlu, Secretary General of the dissolved Democrat Party of Kurdistan. 4 The dislounded Democrat Party of Kurdistan that struggle for autonomy of Irans Kurdistan

Province. 5 Rida Pahlavi, son of Muhammad-Rida Pahlavi, was Irans crown prince for many years.


85

clearly state that the Islamic Republic has to be removed and replaced by a

democratic republic or the monarchy. 1

Nations resistance against internal and external pressures

At any rate, you should not at all be scared of those words, interviews

and bombs which are all indicative of their desperation. If we are all

martyred, that would not matter as we trust in God. It is strange not to expect

a few bombs to explode in a country with a population of thirty million

which has just experienced such a revolution.

Britain is now in worse condition than here. The United States, this

cradle of liberty and such nonsensical talks is currently in worse condition

than here. Statistics show that every several minutes one gets killed in the

U.S. Do you think such things only happen in our country? Our country has

not suffered so much loss. If you calculate the losses from the beginning to

the end, they do not amount to much. Many people were killed during

Muhammad-Ridas reign, and as the reports have it about fifteen thousand

people were massacred in a single day2

. But when has such a thing happened

these days? But these people trumpet their call and those foreign agents give

it a wide coverage in their mass media apparatus, hoping that they can do

something by these words. However, they do not know that words alone are

far from introducing any change. Our nation is standing against any and all

threats because they want to serve Islam. Meanwhile, the nation should be

alert and aware of the affairs. You are a living nation freed from SAVAKs

sever pressures and those of similar organizations. Obviously, the opponents

argue that the akhunds are now doing the same. Well, show us one akhund

who has treated you the way you were dealt in the past. These are

accusations they level against us. What counts is that this nation has been

relived of the pressure and oppression of long years, not to mention the

oppression befalling the people recently. If you remember Rida Khans era,

you would know what they did to people and ladies in those days. During

Muhammad-Ridas reign they did worse than the former but in a different

way. A nation that is resisting against oppression, injustice, corruption and

plundering of the country does not fear a few events, yet measures should be

taken to halt them.

1 The late Imam has used the word getting into reverse, which in this sense means return

and revival of the monarchy system in Iran. 2 Referring to the 15th of Khordad (June 4th) 1963 uprising.


86

Peoples duty in identifying and turning in saboteurs

Inspired by religious duty, I would like to call on the whole nation to

closely watch a few blocks in their neighborhood to get a general picture of

life throughout the country. When the country belongs to you and the

saboteurs are acting against your country, you should step in and solve the

problem. Do not just sit aside and expect the government to tackle the

problem. Currently, the government does not have the power to gather

intelligence throughout the country. Well, you should establish intelligence

groups. Well, everyone can find who the people living next door are and

what they are doing. Each one of you should keep a close watch on two or

three houses in your neighborhood and watch their conduct and those

frequenting there. If such a practice persists for twenty days or a month and if

anyone who finds any trace of the munafeqin and deviants immediately

reports to the local revolutionary guards or the police station, the problem

would be solved.

Do not think that there are a large number of people in this group. They

initially tested the level of their popularity; they took to the streets and started

killing the people. When they were pounded, they came up with the

conclusion that they should carry out their activities clandestinely. They are,

but a few people many of whom were detained and many of whose team

houses have been captured. A small number of them have survived along

with a few cheated youths for whom we are truly sorry. Parents should heed

the conduct of their children. Do not let this poor girl or boy fall in their trap.

Parents should advise them, and if they do not mend their ways, they have to

let the officials know. It is your religious duty. If someone is going to kill a

Muslim, you have to introduce him to the concerned officials. If you would

not do so, you are considered an accomplice in the crime. If everyone heeds

this suggestion which a religious duty, and if this practice is pursued for a

short period, those few who are responsible for committing these crimes will

soon be identified. The whole nation throughout the country should watch

the situation in their neighborhoods and find out what really is happening in

their neighbors house; who frequents there; whether there are any suspicious

people frequenting there or not; and then to inform. Do not assume that fifty

thousand people are busy in such criminal acts. Twenty people can plant

bombs in fifty spots in Tehran. Twenty to fifty people can carry out

explosions in a number of cities. That is not a significant move. It is not the

sign of their power. They act like thieves and any child can easily do what

they are doing. At any rate, if the people consider their religious duty in this

regard, this issue will be settled in quite a short time. This move aims at


87

safeguarding the Muslims lives and at securing the safety and security of the

servants of God. You should all observe the situation carefully. Find out

what is going on in that house; find out about the people who frequent there;

if you notice suspicious people frequent there, or a plot is being hatched

there, inform the committees, the guard corps, the other concerned people

and the police stations. If this process is exercised for a brief period of time,

the problem will be settled. These are not significant. Basically, if you take

note of the massacres that took place during the past regime, you would

confirm that the problem with which we are entangled today in this

revolution is trivial. The main reason is that the people themselves are

present on the scene today.

Necessity of peoples cooperating with the government in removing the

problem

The significant characteristic of this revolution is that it is a popular

revolution. No person has arranged for this revolution. There has been no

military attack aimed at supporting the revolution. No person has organized

military action to accomplish the revolution. The same people in the street,

these ordinary people, particularly the oppressed, as they call them, and the

high class in our eyes, launched the revolution. They did the job. Neither

other people nor I could ever do it. It was God who strengthened the peoples

hearts and weakened the hearts of our opponents. They got scared of you,

despite all the facilities and arms they commanded. You were not afraid of

them. You accomplished the revolution with empty hands. Now it is the

same story. You are the same revolutionary people, you are the ones who are

present one the scene and you are the ones that should cooperate with the

government. The government alone cannot take care of the war. It is you, the

nation, who can back the government behind the warfronts. You should help.

Iran is your own country. It is an Islamic country and Islam is at stake today.

Therefore, we are all obliged to assist them. Every one should assist them to

the extent he/she can. You cannot sit aside and expect the government or the

Red Crescent Society to do the entire job with regard to the refugees who

have come from the war-stricken regions and are residing at certain other

places. They cannot do it all alone. It is not an easy task. Your assistance is

required. Everyone should assist, and they would, God willing, do so. All of

them are already helping. Do not lose hope. When you are working for God

losing hope becomes meaningless. If you work for material objectives, you

will lose hope when the material interests are not fully met. But one who

works for God should never lose hope. Losing hope is meaningless for a man


88

of God. The greater the hardship, the greater the amount of your reward from

God. Suppose an earthquake hits a region, like the recent one in Kerman,

which claimed so many lives and left many people homeless. Well, the

winter is approaching. What can people do there? The government can not do

all the job. All including the Red Crescent, and the government are busy

there. Everyone is assisting. You should not sit aside and expect them to do it

all. Thanks God, you did not sit idle. As these people who have come from

abroad said, the extent of the peoples assistance is unprecedented. You still

have continued with your good job. Go and observe the situation personally,

as you have already done so. Some duties are humanitarian. They are your

brothers and sisters in faith. The winter is coming and they should be taken

care of. Their houses need to be reconstructed and the government can not do

everything. All should participate in this affair. And in case of the other

problems, too, whatever they might be, either when there is a flood, an

earthquake or other natural disasters, or I do not know, any other problem

that might exist, your assistance is needed. There are also problems that the

others create for us. You yourselves must take care of your countrys affairs,

your cooperation is needed in order for the affairs to be amended, and

hopefully everything will improve.

Never let the term despair cross your mind, as it is one of the soldiers of

Satan. Despair is among Satans soldiers; that is, Satan injects it in you. These

devils that are the followers of the Great Satan, try to disappoint you by such

acts. However, why does a Muslim who wishes to serve Islam lose hope?

Right now the situation in our country is much better than that of the

Prophets (s) time. At that time the Muslims did not even have anything to

eat. A combatant who wanted to fight was given a date which he put into his

mouth and then took it out and gave it to the next1

. This way they preserved

Islam and passed it to the next generations. Gentlemen! Islam that has been

preserved in this way and bequeathed to us has relied on such sacrifices ever

since its advent. Well, we too have to preserve it just as painstakingly as they

did. Thanks God, now we are not faced with those hardships. There are

foodstuffs in abudance in, the prices are high though. You should have

expected famine. God has favored us and we have not suffered famine. Of

course the prices are high. It is tough for the poor people and others should

assist them. I hope that very soon all problems will be solved, God willing.

You should trust God. Rest assured that if you trust God, all works will be

rectified, and the Islamic rules will be properly enforced. Of course, there

1 Tarikh-e Tabari, vol. 3; pp. 32-33.


89

have been some complaints against those who want to carry out project in the

quake-hit areas want to execute the plans in (quake-hit areas). People in those

areas complain that there are many failings and inefficiency as well as

transgressing on the people. I have often said that in an Islamic country

everything must be Islamic. Our conduct should not contradict the Islamic

rules. A farmer should not think now that we have taken the control of affairs

in our own country we are free to oppress others. All our affairs should be

regulated based on Islamic standards. The whole nation should be prepared

for strengthening Islam in this country. It is hoped that it will be then

exported to other countries form here, as it has already been. You should not

assume it has not been exported; it has definitely been. Right now in many

countries, the nations have woken up and become alert about the prevailing

realities. They are already busy serving Islam. God willing, I hope they will

succeed and that we all will succeed in serving Islam. I pray to God for the

success of the whole nation and all Islamic nations. I also pray for the health

and prosperity of all and the audience in this gathering.



90

Speech Date: August 12, 1981 [Mordad 21, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 11, 1401 AH]


Subject: the nations appreciation of the armed forces

Addressee: Muin-pur (Subsititute Commander of the air force) and new

commanders of the air bases of the country


Now that the affairs are run by religious and committed individuals, I

hope that the same will hold true about other places. It is not the case that

you work and others benefit. Your victory is the victory of the entire nation

and the nation appreciates you. Today, many pray for you and it is hoped that

after God, you wil protect your country.

[In another part of his speech, the leader of the oppressed people of the world

said: The events which have happened are inevitable. Planting bombs, arson

attacks and such things are not very important things. Thank God, the army,

the people and the revolutionary guards are standing together. I beseech God

to grant victory to all of you.


91




feast of Fitr

Addressee: Soharto (President of the Republic of Indonesia)


Mr. Soharto, President of the Republic of Indonesia,


congratulations on the occasion of the auspicious feast of Fitr with pleasure.

Reciprocally, we extend our congratulations to you and to the Muslim and

brotherly nation of Indonesia on this great Islamic celebration. I beseech God

to grant success and happiness to all Muslims and oppressed nations of the

world.

May Gods peace be upon you


Shawwal 12, 1401 AH


92

Permission Date: August 13, 1981 [Mordad 22, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 12, 1401 AH]


Subject: Permission in financial affairs and collecting religious dues

Audience: Sayyid Mustafa Dhul-Qadr


Praise be to God the lord of the worlds, may peace and salutation be upon

Muhammad and his pure progency, and may Gods curse be upon all his

enemies.

His Excellency Sayyid al-Alam wa Thiqqat al-Muslimin Aqa Sayyid

Mustafa Dhul-Qadr—may his success last—is authorized on my behalf to

take charge offinancial affairs and collect religious dues which are pending

on the permission of qualified Faqih during the greater occultation. He is

permitted to spend the sadats share as prescribed and to spend two-thirds of

the holy share of Imam—may Gods peace be upon him—on personal

expenses and spreading the sacred Sharia.

―I advise him—may God help him—to what our righteous predecessors

have done to, abide by piety and to eschew carnal desires.‖

May Gods peace, mercy and blessings be upon him and upon our

faithful brethren.


Shawwal 12, 1401 AH


93

Speech Date/Time: Morning, August 18, 1981 [Mordad 27, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 17, 1401

AH]

Place: Husayniyyah Jamaran, Tehran

Subject: Invincibility of the Iranian nation and the need for their alertness in

confronting plots; advice to the armed forces and certain guidelines for them

Audience: Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders from all over the

country, members of IRGC Supreme Council, high school teachers from all over the

country, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) managers, members of IRIB

Supervision Council, and members of IRIB Islamic Association


Young students, trusts in the hands of teachers

You dear audience coming here in three groups, have very constructive

and important jobs, with heavy responsibilities. The high school teachers,

who are in charge of training our youths, and teenage students, offer valuable

services and shoulder a heavy responsibility, because they are serving in

educational centers. Anyone serving in any educational center has to

shoulder a heavy responsibility. These children who study under your

guidance are the hope of the future of the Islamic country and in your hands.

Those in charge of their training should instruct them in an Islamic and

constructive way so that the future generation can, God willing, be an Islamic

generation, useful for the Islamic society.

Also those who serve in the IRIB, both the ordinary employees and those

in charge of IRIBs Islamic Association and others handle a very sensitive

job. They should regulate the affairs there in a way that IRIB turns into an

educational centre. As you know, wherever anyone in this country lives,

he/she listens to the radio and watches television. You are, therefore,

responsible for feeding those eyes and ears with virtues, ethics and issues

necessary for the Islamic Republic. Your job is therefore, both quite a noble

one, and a career with a high responsibility.

Necessity of observing hierarchy in IRGC and other armed forces

The dear brothers in the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps and their

commanders everywhere in the country who naturally emerged from the

revolution, Islam and the nation and helped preserve the revolution and push

forth the movement has rendered valuable services. They have always


94

shouldered a heavy responsibility. The value of their work is observable both

in the war theater and behind the frontlines. They are engaged in

safeguarding the nations security. This is one of the most valuable

undertakings, which all of all are obligated to take part in to the extent of our

capabilities. The responsibility vested in Sepah is great, because Sepah is the

―guardian of Islam. It is engaged in guarding Islam, the Islamic laws and

country. If any wrong step is taken by the young gurds in Sepah, this wrong

step might reflect a tarnished image of this revolutionary organ. Any

extremist tendency by these young adults might stain IRGCs prestige,

prompting our enemies to level accusations on the whole IRGC.

IRGC is therefore bound to observe discipline, listen to senior

commanders and act in accordance with the programs drawn up by their

councils. They should feel obliged to be soldiers of Islam, observe discipline,

and obey their commanders. If the order of command and obedience is, God

forbid, absent is Sepah the IRGC would fail in achieving its pristine

objectives. Heeding these points is not only obligatory for the IRGC

personnel, but also for all those serving in other armed forces, such as the

army, the navy the air force and the border guards. They should all respect

the devised discipline for their force and the commands of the high ranking

officials. If you wish to safeguard your countrys security and protect your

nation against aggressions you need to observe discipline in IRGC and the

other armed forces. I hope you would all succeed, as you have so far been,

and protect your country against any harm that might, God forbid, befall the

country.

Nations resistance against all powers

Our entire nation, including the armed forces, the countrys officials in

any position and the millions-strong masses of people should always heed

that they are resisting against all the world powers. All Eastern and Western

powers and their affiliates are today opposed to this Islamic Republic

because Islamic Republic seeks to apply Islam, which has come to block

injustice, oppression and plundering. So all these countries are opposed to us.

You have stood against all of them and clenched your fists, crying, ―Neither

West nor East.‖ You thus indicate that you are neither tilting towards the

West nor the East. We are independent, we enjoy freedom the way Islam has

defined it and we want the Islamic Republic. Thanks God, you have so far

been successful in uprooting tyranny and oppression in your country. With

your powerful hands and with Islamic power you drove out the chief


95

oppressors and plunderers. If there are still any more leftovers, they will also

go.

All of you, the entire nation, all armed forces, people from all walks of

life throughout the country and we all need to be fully alert and ready for

safeguarding the Islamic Republic, that has so many enemies.

Governments often struggle to disturb the Islamic Republic. The least

they want is elimination of the term Islamic, and its replacement by whatever

term, excluding Islamic. They cannot tolerate Islam, which is founded on

justice and whose highest and lowest authorities are equal before justice. Its

president and an ordinary citizen in the bazaar are equally treated by Islamic

laws. Those commanding higher ranks must be under more intense scrutiny

than people of lower ranks. The powers that are used to committing

aggression and plundering cannot tolerate such a government. Therefore, you

have established a political system here and plan to implement a school of

thought, to which all deviated schools of thought are opposed. Those who

have performed such a miraculous work should also resist the ensuing

hardships and plots hatched from every direction against their country.

Internal enemies at the end of their tether

Do not think that those who commit such silly acts are powerful at all.

Flies that make abrupt and severe moves at the end of their lives, at the last

moments, make a sharp rotation and die. They are now like flies at the end of

their tether. The move taken by these people may be likened to the last

moves by flies at the moment of death. These are nothing. The marked ones

are gone. They suffered defeat and were annihilated. The 2500-year-old

monarchy with all its power and supporters could not resist you Muslim

nation committed to Islam. These few underage children whom these corrupt

figures deceive to sabotage resemble those files breathing their last. They

cannot be conduct as human beings. Our nation should not assume that if

these criminals kill a couple of people, however marked they might be, this

will bring about our nations defeat.

Our people are alert and ready for any kind of service or sacrifice for

their own country. The Islamic establishment is not like regimes that will

collapse if their leaders are removed. This is applicable to regimes backed by

the people. In the past, when a king died, the whole country would be

disturbed because people were opposed to kings. As such when a king died,

chaos would ensue. But a nation that has overthrown the monarchy in this

country will not lose spirit even with the death of, for instance, the president

or other officials. Such events will not cause them to believe that the country


96

has suffered defeat. The president is someone like you. You were the ones

who elected him as president. If, God forbid, he dies, you will elect another

one. Thanks God, there are others. Our nation and we should not think that if

plots cause the death of such and such cleric or a Friday prayer leader or a

president, anything serious will happen. Such events generate chaos in

countries where the nation entirely depends on these officials. But in places

where the situation is not like that and each member of the nation is a leader,

such a nation would not be desperate even if they lose Khomeini. No! There

is no such talks. Thanks God, all of you are present in the scenes and ready to

safeguard your country. The main issue is Islam. In the advent of Islam,

during a battle the hypocrites shouted that the Prophet (s) had got martyred.

The holy Quran says that, “Well, let us suppose the Prophet is truly

martyred. Yet, Islam is left intact.‖ If the Prophet (s) and the Commander of

the faithful Imam Ali (s) were martyred, Islam would be there. Islam is a

faith the foundation of which has been laid by God; God is always there, so

Islam is also there. God protects Islam, even when I am not present, you do

not exist and when this and that official are not there. Have strong hearts.

Strengthen your hearts with the light of Quran and Islam. Strengthen the rope

that connects you with God and have no fear that they may come and

bombard here, and kill some two hundred people. This is not an important

thing. This is a country in which such events occur.

You know that today the biggest country in terms of technology and stuff

like that is the United States, or maybe the Soviet Union. It is said that every

minute one or two people get killed in the United States. All the same, the

United State is still there. Howevere, you enjoy a support of which the

United States is deprived as are other countries; that is, the support of

Almighty God. You rose up for God. Our nation, men and women, the young

and old, rose up for God and have so far resisted for God. That which is done

for God has no expiry date. One cannot argue what may happen in two years.

When something is done for God, it will be eternal. The Islamic Republic of

Iran that was established by the mighty hands of you great nation of Islam

has the backing of God, and anything enjoying this support is eternal.

Islam, a trust in the nations hands

You the pasdars (Revolutionary Guard Corps), other armed forces and

civilian you should notice that we are all responsible for preserving Islam.

We are obliged to safeguard Islam, the nation, the Islamic banner and this

Islamic country to the last man. Up to the last men, women, young and old

are obliged to defend. Defense is a public matter; everyone is obliged defend


97

Islamic land as much as they can. Islam and Islamic command are so

important that the prophets (s) sacrificed their lives for God and His

commands. In Islam, ever since the advent of this religion, prominent

personalities have sacrificed their lives to preserve it. When that is the case,

and God has trusted us with safeguarding such a sacred covenant we are all

obliged to do so. We should not be scared of the number of our casualties, of

the number of people martyred in a bomb attack or of the casualties in an

explosion. Not at all! Islam is neither affiliated to me nor to you. Islam

belongs to Almighty God and we are all obliged to safeguard it powerfully.

You witnessed from the outset of the revolution up to now that from the

first step taken for the revolution, a certain group mounted opposition. One

group, at lEast the Shah and his associates were among the chief opponents

struggling hard to pound it. With every step forward, the revolution removed

a group of dissidents only to be replaced by other ones that aimed to destroy

the revolution. However, the revolution gained strong footholds with every

step forward. Where else can you find a country which has been able to

achieve this degree of solidarity in about two years and satisfy all the

requirements of a country and a government?

Take Iraq. With all that is said about it and with all the supporters—

almost all corrupt powers support it—it still does not have a constitution. A

group or party that took control of the countrys affairs is tryrannically ruling

the country through force, pressure, imprisonment and torture. They have not

yet drawn up a constitution despite the fact that it is for over 20 years that

they have come to power. This country of yours, to which all are opposed, is

in no way comparable to the Iraqi regime that almost all countries approve

of, but still it has not been able to draw up a constitution for itself. They

cannot organize a referendum. Whose vote can they get? The nation is not on

good terms with the government; people have to be taken to the polls by

threat of bayonet.

During this short while, and despite the existence of strong external

enemies and their leftovers inside the country, you have so far managed to

arrange for all requirements of a government. Later on when you noticed that

one had done wrong, you set him aside.1

You replaced him with another

president whom all agree is devoted to this faith2

and your government was

set in order in a couple of days. That which could not be achieved in a year

and a half to two years due to the complications was recently accomplished

1 Abul-Hasan Bani-Sadr the first president of the Islamic Republic of Iran that was desposed. 2 Martyred President Muhammad-Ali Rajai.


98

within two or three days or a week and all ministers were nominated by the

president and endorsedby the parliament. Now you have a legal government

that I hope will attend to the problems of the nation and take care of the

affairs of the oppressed and the poor. Now you have all you need at your

disposal.

Advising the nation to be alert

All these powers failed to stop your movement. They wished to halt it at

the very beginning. A referendum was held. They called for a second time! If

we had hold the second referendum, they would have demanded a third one,

but they failed. Now you have established your foothold, your country is in

your own hands and you appoint your own officials. When they were all

here, you succeeded in exerting your will. What should you be scared of now

that they have all fled? Who else is left? The army is our own, IRGC is our

own and armed forces are our own. The people all view these forces as their

brothers in faith. They are together in times of happiness and hardship. Who

can do any harm to this country under such conditions? Basically, what does

coup mean in such a country? Who can stage a coup here? There is a group

of people sitting in Paris spreading the word that they are heading for Iran.

Right! Here you are, the countrys gates are open. If you could do something,

why did you went away? One who has escaped says, ―We are all united

now.‖ Who is united with whom? We know you. Our nation knows who you

are. ―We are now united and determined to head for Iran! ―We are on their

way back and would soon arrive in here‖, they cry.

Our nation should be alert. Obviously, these are just nonsense, but our

nation should be alert. One should not be heedless of the U.S. plots. These

figures are not numbered among human beings. If they were worthy of being

called human beings, they would not have been in such conditions. They had

detached themselves form the nation and did not know what to do and thus

run away. But the United States that received a slap in the face from you and

pinned its hope on Iran and its oil and other resources has been kicked out by

you. Do not be negligent as the U.S. is a power, is engaged in collusion and

might do such things. But as long as you are alert, alive and steadfast, it

cannot do anything. The United States is not going to dispatch an army form

the U.S. to Iran to carry out sabotages. The United States acts through these

people. It plans to embark on such works by these very people in Paris and

other places. Our nation should be alert and stand firm power of faith they

commanded and the Islamic power they enjoyed. People should resistwith

the Islamic power and eve be ready to sacrifice themselves for Islam. The


99

nation should be watchful and note that if they are present in the stage and

put up resistance with everyone of you deeming it their duty to protect the

country and your brothers, no power could do any harm to you. The

important point is that you should stand, consider the government to be yours

and not sit aside and expect the government or the armed forces to do all the

job. No! The army, you, the government and I are responsible; so are the

clerics and civilians. Preserving Islam is not a duty to be fulfilled only by the

armed forces.

Protecting Islam and peoples lives, a must

We all are obliged to preserve Islam. Even ladies are obliged to preserve

the faith. It is obligatory for all of us and all of you to be on the watch and to

report if you noticed any plot and suspicious traffic of the people in your

neighbourhoods.

A poor guy has written to me recently that I had called on the whole

nation to watch over the neighbours while this is against the Quran that says:

“Do not scrutinize in one anothers private affairs.”1

True! Quran has

ordered us not to do so, and Gods order must be obeyed. Bur Quran has

also ordered to protect mans life in the following words: “Do not kill

yourselves.”2

Address this question to the Doyen of Martyrs. When Islam is

at stake, you are all obliged to preserve it by espionage.If the life of a Muslim

is at stake and protection of his/her life is pending on your drinking wine, it

is obligatory to do so or to tell a lie. The laws of Islam aim to secure the

interests of Muslims and Islam. If we see that Islam is at stake, we all should

die so as to protect it. If we notice that a group is hatching a plot aimed at

killing innocent people, we are all obliged to do espionage work in order to

prevent such an event. Protecting the lives of Muslims is a duty above other

issues. Preserving Islam is even more important than protecting the Muslims

lives. These are silly words suggested by these groups, describing espionage

work as indecent. Corrupt espionage, is not good. But espionage is obligatory

for protecting Islam and the lives of Muslims. Telling a lie and drinking wine

also became obligatory.

We have now a trust in our hand and that is Islam. We have no excuse

sitting aside and arguing that there are others to preserve it. This trust does

not belong to others. God has entrusted it to us. It is for all of us. We are all

obliged to preserve it. None of us can sit aside and argue that the government

1 Surah al-Hujurat 49:12. 2 Surah an-Nisa 4:29.


100

is to do it. We cannot sit and expect the army to do so alone. When the

Islamic country is threatened by the enemies of Islam, defending the Islamic

country and Islamic principles is obligator for al of us. When such a thing

comes about and men and women in our country are, thanks God, prepared to

face the problem, there is no fear of a group causing from Paris or

somewhere else to do so and so. There is no cause for fear. They have once

tested it when they encouraged Saddam to pounce at Iran and were given a

good smacking. The poor guy is still thinking of a way out of this burden.

We never initiated any fight against anyone. We are bound to defend Islam

and the Islamic country. He is the one who occupied our cities, and is

carrying out sabotage. It is incumbent upon all of us to relieve the Muslims

of this evil. We have not entered their country so as to be considered

intruders. They have invaded. If a thief breaks into someones house and is

driven out, is the thief to be punished or the one driving the thief out?

Obviously, the house owner is not to blame. A thief has intruded and must be

driven out. Even at the cost of killing the thief, he must be driven out. It is

the thief that is to blame.

When some people cross our borders to attack us, even if they are

Muslims, it is obligatory to defend because they are the ones who initiate the

attack. Killing them is also obligatory up to the point they are driven out. It is

not that we intend to fight. We favour peace in the world. We wish all

Muslims and non-Muslims live in peace. But this does not mean if one

invades ones house we still encourage peace and resign ourselves to

aggression! No! Just as injustice is forbidden, yielding to oppression is

equally forbidden. Defending the principles, lives and property of Muslims

and Islamic country is a religious obligation. We are acting according to this

obligation. Our nation is acting in accordance with this obligation, heeding

its responsibility and its religious obligations in that respect. The combatants

in the warfronts and others behind the fronts are acting according to this

obligation. If supposedly one who wants to throw an expolsive material

somewhere is arrested and put in prison and if he has already done it and is

put to death, this treatment is considered defense. This practice withholds

corruption. It is away of wading off corruption. The one who is doing such

acts is corrupt, not you who are trying to get rid of him. You do not intend to

throw explosives into anyones house; you want to prevent others from

throwing the explosive materials into your house. It is advisable to beware

the individuals who have been cheated.

We constantly say that these youths have been cheated. They have fled

abroad and are enjoying lives in abundance there, encouraging these youths


101

to work sabotage at the cost of their lives. If any of them steps forward and

repents, his or her repentance is accepted. Let us assume that one of these

people has even committed a murder and the close relatives of the killed

person have the right to kill him, still we wish him to repent so that his life, at

lEast, in the hereafter will be at ease. We wish peace to prevail in the whole

world. If we had power, we would have basically annihilated explosives all

together so that the world would get rid of such criminal acts. We do not

want to get engaged in fights with anyone. We neither intend to fight against

Iraq, nor to launch any war against any other country. They have launched

this war, and they received a slap in the face. Right now our men and

women, the young and old, pasdars and this army will give a good smacking

to any other intruder from anywhere.

We have wanted Islam and still do so, but it does allow us to trespass on

another country. Still, it has ordered us to punch the transgressor in the

mouth. If disbelievers would make a human shield out of innocent Muslims

to capture the country for instance—this has precedence in wars in the past—

it is obligatory for us to kill both Muslims and non-Muslims. The Muslims

would be considered martyrs and go to heaven, while the disbelievers would

go to hell. Defense is obligatory.

And so long as you, the IRGC and the army as well as the committed and

selfless Muslim nation are present for Islam, this republic will remain intact.

These sabotages you see are nothing. May God grant all of you good health

and happiness, severe the hands of the oppressors and grans victory to the

Iranian army.



102

Speech Date/Time: 10 AM, August 22, 1981 [Mordad 31, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 21, 1401

AH]


Subject: Duties of officials in an Islamic political system and the need for purging

the disqualified figures from government centers

Audience: President Muhammad-Ali Rajai, prime minister, Muhammad-Jawad

Bahonar and cabinet members


[At the meeting, President Rajai and Prime Minister Bahonar presented an

account of the governments situation, and the latest developments in the

country at the time, and then Imam Khomeini said:]

What you and prime minister Bahonar said was all true and I also wish

you success in this mission, but the nation need action rather than plans.

You have no excuse, and we have no excuse either.

Comparing officials in former and present regimes

During the recent there were excuses and they were truly acceptable too.

The people have so far paid their fair share to the Islamic Republic and

fulfilled their duties.

The problem is with us. We should provide answer to the nation. The people

voted so enthusiastically for President Rajai and it was a right choice,

because they consider the president from themselves and he he has not

shown to be haughty.

I remember many governments. When the administrators of ruling system in

Khomein that was a village or the government administration of the triplet

cities, whose capital was Golpayegan wanted to go somewhere somebody

walked in front of them carrying a mace, with an entourage surrounding them

and all that pomp and pageantry. In practice, however, oppression and

injustice were order of the day. When I was a child, there was a rascal in

Golpayegan administration. He inspected the house of one of the most

prestigious men among the merchants and one of the most pious men I knew.

The government agents were talking to him harshly in the room he was

sitting. We were standing outside the room. I do not know what the subject

of their talk was. Before long they dragged that respected gentlemen out to


103

the courtyard and trashed him. This was the situation prevailing at that time.

Later on, too, although the conditions changed, the type of oppression

changed from bad to worse.

Today, they keep asking what difference has been made. They either do

not realize what improvement has been made or they know, but want to make

mischief. Today, this gentleman is their president, their prime minister is that

gentleman, their interior minister that gentlemand and its true about other

ministers. These gentlemen do not even act like the ruling elite of Khomeini,

let alone like Einedowleh1

and what he did. You can imagine what the other

government officials did. Well, one improvement is that the likes of

Einedowleh who harassed people in every district and did injustice to people

no longer exist. Their districts administrative systems were rented! That is to

say, the highest official in Tehran, the capital, rented the high posts in

Khorasan, Isfahan, and … charging the buyers based on their financial

capabilities and the worth of the cities. Then these people who had rented the

governor generals post for, let us say 20,000 tomans per year—that was

equal to some two to three million tomans today—wanted to earn the rent

and at lEast equal to that amount for himself. Thus, the peoples numerous

complaints accounted to nothing, since there was not supposed to be any

receptive ear to be lent to them. All that the new governor was supposed to

do was to pay that 20,000 tomans to the prime minister or other high

statesmen in the capital, and from then on he could do whatever he wished in

that large city, free from any kind of supervision, or interference. The

peoples complaints were totally disregarded, and therefore, they often lost

hope in the system and stopped complaining after a short while.

Serving the nation, the best way to appreciate their selfless efforts

Now the situation has changed into the current Islamic conditions. That

is to say, the officials emerge from the context of the nation and they are

ordinary members of this society. They want to serve their people, and are,

thanks God, all pious Muslims. Well all such things are true, but you need to

show the practical results of your deeds. These people have made great

efforts; many of them have made sacrifices, yet they do not have any

expectation. But well, Islam does expect us and we should pay our due to it.

The people have sacrificed their lives, their children, their youth and yet

1 Abdul-Majid Mirza, Einedowleh was a prince of the Qajar dynasty, who served for a brief

period of timeas prime Minister during the reign of Muzaffaruddin Shah Qajar. He was a very

despotic man.


104

voted for you. Their elected deputies in the parliament have given their

confidence vote to the esteemed ministers. They have all done their job

perfectly well. To be fair, the one that has performed its task perfectly well

has been this great nation. That is to say, they have worked shoulder to

shoulder with the government at times of hardships. Where else in the world

can you find people who rush to the warfronts to help and at the same time

are busy to provide facilities behind the frontlines? Such cases are to be

found in Islam. The nation did so because they were Muslims and committed

to Islamic teachings. They felt responsible in safeguarding their country. The

assistance the people offered is so great that it is now you gentlemens turn to

serve them. I do not say in return for the selfless job this nation has done they

should expect something in return, but coscience that everywhere you work,

you would serve the country, Islam and these people, particularly the most

oppressed among them throughout this country.

You should work hand in hand with one another, and it should not be such

that for instance Mr. President sits aside and expects the cabinet to take care

of all the affairs. I know it is not the case today. Mr. President, too, is from

the nation; he knows that Iran is his country and, he does everything for

himself. All ministries, too, should help one another whenever public

assistance is required to solve a problem. They are not alien to one another so

as to aim at ruining the result of one anothers efforts or to refrain from

assisting each other. The people, too, are ready to assist any one of you if you

run into any trouble. But the point is that it is now your turn to pay your debt

to these people who have appointed you to these positions. Pay your debt to

your nation and serve them.

Purge the ministries and embassies from incompetent personnel

One of the important issues is that of individuals in the ministries. There are

individuals who not only refuse to serve people, but also obstruct work.

There is a group of employees that just go to work to earn a monthly salary;

they do nothing more than nagging, if not sabotaging each day and then they

go home. These people have to be identified properly and set aside. Do it in

any other way you deem appropriate, but gradually.

Obviously, the embassies are important. From the very first day after the

establishment of the Islamic Republic I have been reminding this point to the

ministers of foreign affairs one after the other. I have stressed the necessity

of purging the embassies. But those who have gone to inspect the conditions

in the embassies keep telling me that the situation is still more or less the

same. Just sometimes ago somebody told me that the situation has remained


105

unchanged, save for small occasional changes. These embassies are our

Islamic countrys prestige. If they are run inappropriately and against the

rules of Islam, the nation, and the foreigners who see the situation may judge

that the situation in the country is just as bad and un-Islamic. One of the most

important tasks to be carried out by the minister of foreign affairs is to take

this issue seriously. The issue of the Ministry of (Culture and Islamic)

Guidance, too, is of extreme importance. The Guidance Ministry should

guide the people, propagate for Islam, act based on policies that would in

effect promote Islamic thoughts, and so should the other ministries. The

Interior Ministry is one of the most wide-ranging ministry at the helm of

which stands Mr. Mahdawi1

. I have always hold him in great regard. He

should make greater efforts. There is no acceptable excuse or no one to

blame for shirking responsibility. In near past, the excuse was made that we

could not appoint a minister of foreign affairs. It was indeed a serious

problem and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not finally set up. Other

affairs were also sabotaged.

Today, such obstacles are not encountered. Authority rests in you who

should serve this nation and consider yourselves their servants. If this

thought crosses your mind that ―now I am a minister and the people should

obey me‖, rest assured that you have not been refined. If this thought comes

to the presidents mind that ―now I am the first person in this country‖, rest

assured that he has not been refined. This thought is from Satan. Although

one might not act with such idea, this thought should be erased from ones

mind. Every one of you is a servant of this nation. The hands of aggressing

powers have been severed from your country and the monarchy has been

uprooted. Now the country has fallen into your hands, who are from the

people. What is important is that you should practically purge the ministries.

Those who are going to block the changes to rake place and those who try to

dissatisfy the people should be purged. It is not of course possible to gain

everyones satisfaction in all areas. If you purge a group, they will be

dissatisfied; their friends will be dissatisfied. You should follow the formula

that you are fulfilling your religious duty and that by the post you are holding

you should serve the nation. Your post is nothing but a mean aimed at

serving the nation more effectively. If you manage to serve, you are qualified

for the post; otherwise, that post is worth nothing at all. I pray to Almighty

God for your success. I wish God would approve of your cabinet. We have

never had such a cabinet with so many good, efficient, and pious ministers

1 Mr. Muhammad-Rida Mahdawi Kani, interior minister in Martyr Bahonars clainet.


106

with illuminated faces in this countrys history. You should therefore,

illuminate, the atmosphere in this country, and attend to the needs of the

people, particularly the oppressed people. Take care of the entire nation’s

affairs, and keep in mind the Islamic standards.



107

Decree Date: 1981 [1360 AHS / 1401 AH]





Your Eminence, Ayatullah al-Uzma Imam Khomeini, the Great Leader of

the Revolution and the Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, may your

presence last,

Enclosed herewith is the list of 202 convicts of the Islamic Revolution

Public Prosecutors office of the in six cities and one convict by the syndicate

public prosecutors office in charge of guild affairs having been granted

amnesty and submitted to your Eminence.

Chief Justice Sayyid, Abdul-Karim

Musawi Ardebili


I agree with this.1


1 In accordance with the leaders authorities and duties stipulated in the Constitution of the

Islamic Republic of Iran as stated in article 110 of the Constitution.


108

Speech Date/Time: Noon, August 24, 1981 [Shahrivar 2, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 23, 1401

AH]


Subject: Injustice of the powers and Iranian peoples innocence; unfounded

accusations against the Islamic establishment

Audience: Muwahhidi Kermani (Imam Khomeinis representative in City Police

Force) and the police personnel, Members of some Islamic association and Students

studying abroad


Great victories along with innocence

As stated brothers from abroad, including Pakistan, Indonesia and some

other countries have come here. I hope during their visit to the country they

would appropriately study the issues and problems in Iran and inform their

nations of the realities here.

In this revolution we have gained unimaginable victories and suffered a

lot off oppression. Our greatest victory was that a 2500-year-old tyrant and

oppressive regime was replaced by an Islamic establishment that is

determined to traverse the path of Islam, and hopefully will do so. We have

been exposed to an unprecedented amount of oppression just because of

embracing that grand victory thanks to the harmonized and joint efforts made

by this nation, our military and police forces, and the border guards hand in

hand with one another. Their serious efforts were of course aimed at severing

the hands of the agents of the global oppressing powers from this country,

while the oppression we have been exposed to after the victory of our

revolution originated from those superpowers that have lost their interests in

Iran. Those powers also fear lest the other Islamic and oppressed nations

follow suit—something that is not unlikely. They have received a severe

blow from Islam and cannot tolerate it. That is the reason why they have

launched their massive opposition against us and the Islamic Republic,

whose main and only objective is implementation of the Islamic laws and

jurisprudence in this country. The severe blow they have received has made

them launch attacks against us from all sides, and to mobilize their

mercenaries inside and outside the country for suppressing this Islamic

Republic; that is, for suppressing Islam. Based on their own standards, they

give themselves the right to oppose us. We are subjected to oppression by


109

our Muslim brothers, and those that are nurtured by others, whom we

consider our brothers. For instance, I can refer to the comprehensive

campaign launched by some Muslim clerics who are apparently clerics, but

who are in fact hired by governments in Islamic countries. Some of them

who perhaps benefited from the Shahs regime have not remained silent

during the span of time when the Islamic Republic has been pursuing its own

path. They have encountered Islam in the name of Islam and have written

articles. Those who propagate in favor of Begin and Zionism propagate

against the Islamic Republic and us in the name of Sunni clerics. Yet, the

Sunni clerics should dissociate themselves from these mercenaries. We have

been oppressed by them. Of course, what those people say, that is broadcast

abroad, is not worth much, even for those who make them say so.

But our brothers, who have come here from other countries and have

made this trip to find first hand facts about the Islamic Republic, had better

extend their stay in Iran so that they could study the situation more deeply.

They should study the situation of this Islamic Republic ever since its

establishment to the present day to find out what it says and what it wants.

This nation has from the very beginning shouted that they want Islam

and the Islamic Republic. This nations main slogan have been Allahu Akbar

(God is the Greatest) and La Ilaha Illallah (There is no god, but God). They

have had no access to any other arms and ammunition, and yet they have

defeated their strong enemies who did not believe in Islam and were even

acting against Islam. Is it fair then that someone who emerges from the

context of the Islamic world, and claims to be a Muslim cleric and a religious

authority opposes such a political system whose main objective has been the

implementation of the Islamic rules in this country and propagation for Islam

in other countries?

Accusing revolutionary Iran of having relations with Israel

We have no expectations from the likes of Sadat and Saddam who are

the mercenaries of powerful countries, and the United States. They provide

military bases for the disbelievers, oppressors and the United States in

Islamic countries. We do not expect much of them, because they do not

believe in Islam. They are the U.S. servants and do whatever the U.S. dicates

to them. The uprooted aggression against the Islamic Reublic was done at the

otder of big powers, particularly the U.S. We do not expect any of them.

They have to oppose us in various ways and we are sitting here to thwart

their objections and to listen to their oppositions. They accuse us of

purchasing arms from Israel, while we have voiced our strong opposition


110

with the accursed Zionists from the very beginning, and long before the

victory of the Islamic Revolution. Even during the reign of the corrupt

Pahlavi regime we were always opposed to that corrupt regime. We consider

it debasing to have any relation with Israel. It is over 20 years that wherever

there has been talk of Israel and wherever any communiqués has been

released with regard to Israel, one of our main objections has been to Israel

and its oppression. However, many of the heads of Islamic countries have

never taken a single step to oppose Israel.

Saddam, who has created such a big mess by attacking Islamic Iran and

is on the verge of defeat, has had the Israel bomb a facility in Iraq in an

attempt to get rid of the shame of attacking Iran and to show that Israel is

opposed to Saddam and his Bath Party. They find a phony excuse to prove

that Israel is opposed to Saddam, but has ties with Iran. It is a baseless,

childish accusation aimed to present us among Islamic countries as the

country siding with Israel. However, since the beginning of this Islamic

movement one of our main demands has been that Israel must be annihilated.

They can never bring such a false subject home. But these brothers who have

come here from foreign countries should survey the situation and figure out

whether we fight with Israeli weapons or with the weapon of faith?

Today, our country is an Islamic country. All our armed forces are united

with one another and with the nation. Look at our police forces who along

with the clerics get together under the same roof, and announce that they are

at the service of Islam and the Islamic country. They certainly pursue this

path. I pray to God Almightly for the success of all our armed forces,

particularly the police forces that are at the service of the people in our cities.

Of course, they should render greater services and I hope they will be

successful.

US support for munafiqin (hypocrites)

These small problems throughout the country and in our different cities

and these thieves whom the U.S. backs will soon be settled in Iran. They are

insignificant; they are thieves who at times make an explosion sonewhere.

They do what a thief does. Their noise is too much; they talk a lot, but there

is actually no real weight behind such acts. We, of course, regret that these

youngsters have been cheated by these hypocrites and ruin their lives for

those whom the U.S. announces have to be supported.

We are sorry for them and once again advise them to abandon these

Americans who have emerged in our country in different guises. Come and

embrace Islam that is opposed to all corrupt powers. These people claim to


111

be Muslims and do this and that for Islam. But I realized from the very

beginning that they were telling lies. They also claim to be anti-imperialists

and opposed to the United States. This was also a lie and the U.S. disclosed

it. The White House announced that the hypocrites (MKO terrorists) must be

supported. These people who claimed to be opposed to oppressive countries

have immigrated to oppressive countries and unleashed campaign against

Islam and their own people. They have thus totally ruined their reputation in

Iran. They talk and write articles but have no foothold here. If they had even

one tenth of the population with them, they would have stayed here, but it is

not like this and they have no chance of returning to the country. They have

to write articles from there, make hue and cry and enter to collusion with

their masters, assuming that they can do something, but there is nothing they

can do here.

I ask the entire Iranian nation to heed their sabotages alertly and take

lessons from the woman who handed in her own son for trial, an example of

truly Islamic behavior, of which others should follow. Advise your children

first, advise your brothers, your offspring, and if they do not accept, turn

them in so as to fulfill your Islamic and national duty.

I ask the entire armed forces to maintain their solidarity, as they have

done so far. From now on you should grow more integrated to further

strengthen it. I particularly advise the police force to get stronger in the cities

they serve and to fortify their personnel to be able to encounter these

hooligans who are thieves engaged in armed burglary and who occasionally

kill the people and the clerics. You should spot their hideouts and rid the

country and nation of their evil deeds, although they are not worth being

mentioned.

Thanks God, all the organizations wherein Islam should have been

realized in our country have been brought under Islamic jurisdiction. All the

organizations function in full solidarity with one another. The efforts aimed

at sowing discord among the heads of this country, and pitting the

government against the Majlis, or the judiciary against others have all failed.

Today, all government organizations are harmonized with one another. Islam

is the goal and all armed forces are united with one another. They are

observing full solidarity in their procession towards Islamic objectives along

with the entire nation. A nation with such harmony is no longer vulnerable.

I hope that the all members of our nation heed the point that as long as

they maintain their unity they will remain invulnerable. Your enemies are

after ceating division, but have failed and cannot do so, God willing.


112

This bunch of cheated youth will hopefully wake up and return to the

kind fold of Islam and the nation. Now that they have realized their leaders

have betrayed their country and have been clearly American-oriented, they

no more have any excuse to consider them to be advocate of Islam or the

nation. They have to return to the kind fold of Islam and the gate for

repentance is always open. If they volunteer and step forward, before they

are arrested, and return to the kind fold of Islam, their repentance will be

accepted. I hope this finds reality. As regards their corrupt leaders residing

abroad, if they also come to realize their wrong path, the way for repentance

is still open, although I know they will not repent. I pray to God Almightly

for the health and prosperity of all Islamic nations as well as prosperity of all

armed forces of Islam and Iran and the good health of all my brothers. I

further hope that the police force whhich has the close attention of the

clerics, completly purge and efficiently strengthen Iran for themselves so that

others would stop their covetous eyes on this country and the country will be

yours, independent and free.



113

Decree Date: August 29, 1981 [Shahrivar 7, 1360 AHS / Shawwal 28, 1401 AH]


Subject: Appointment of Imam Khomeinis representative in the Islamic Revolution

Housing Foundation

Addressee: Sayyid Hashem Rasuli Mahallati


Your Excellency, Hujjat al-Islam Sayyid Hashem Rasuli—may your

presence last,

You are hereby appointed as my representative in the Islamic Revolution

Housing Foundation and the Account1

100 to supervise the affairs and

exchange views on Islamisation of development programs of the Foundation

with the respected officials.


Shahrivar 7, 1360 AHS

1 The banking account announced by Imam Khomeini for people to offer their help for

building houses for the deprived.


114

Speech Date/Time: Morning, August 31, 1981 [Shahrivar 9, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 1,

1401 AH] (August 25th

, 1981)

Place: Jamaran Husayniyyah

Subject: Praising the personality of martyrs Rajai and Bahonar and the nations

resolution in furthering the revolution

Occasion: Martyrdom of Muhammad-Ali Rajai (President) and Muhammad-Jawad

Bahonar (Prime Minister)

Audience: People from all walks of life


In mourning for martyrs Rajai and Bahonar

The logic of our nation is the logic of believers, the logic of Quran: “We

are from God, and to Him shall we return”.1

No power can challenge this

logic. No one can ever confront a nation who believes in God and who sees

return to Him as the ultimate desire. The blind-hearted can never confront

one who embraces martyrdom as one does ones dear ones. The blind-hearted

people make one mistake; they do not understand Islam, faith and our

Muslim nation. They think by assassinating our personalities they can

confront this nation. They were blind to notice that whenever we have

offered a martyr, our nations solidarity has been further strengthened.

A nation which has risen up against all bullying powers in the world for

the sake of Islam, for the sake of God and for implementation of the Quranic

rules, cannot be pushed back by assassination. They think the mentality of

believers and our rising nation is the same as that of the Westerners and the

westoxicated individuals, who think of nothing except worldly gains.

A nation whose leaders have sacrificed their lives for their goal, that is

God and Islam, from the very beginning and from the advent of Islam will

not be destroyed by such attempts, and will never show laxity. Our dear

nation has read in history that Imam Ali ibn-e Abi Talib (s) received the

fatal sword strike on his holy forehead by one of these people, who

resembled Muslims, but who was detached from Islam.2

As our nation has

sacrificed Imam Ali (s) for the sake of Islam, it would not be important to

offer martyrs like these, although the event and the martyrs are so dear to us.

1 Surah al-Baqarah 2:156. 2 Referring to Khawarijites who were also called Mariqin.


115

Mr. Rajai and Mr. Bahonar were the two martyrs who had fought side by

side against corrupt powers. That late martyr Rajai told me he had been

alongside Mr. Bahonar for some 20 years. God so willed that they should fly

to Him together. One who believes he will return to Him and who considers

martyrdom as the deliverance is the most exalted among people. The martyrs

Islam has offered ever since the advent of Islam are more exalted than all

people in current century. Islam has offered prominent personalities like

Imam Ali (s), Imam Hasan (s) Imam Husayn (s) and his faithful disciples (s)

and our other Infallible Imams (s), all of whom devoted their entire lives to

Islam and its preservation. We should follow suit and do our best to preserve

the dear Islam, which has been entrusted to us.

While martyrdom of these two honorable men is difficult for me to

tolerate, I know that they have joined the Exalted Friend and are in peace.

They no longer suffer such difficulties in which we are still embroiled. They

have achieved their ultimate goal. From this aspect I congratulate their

families and the great Iranian nation who have offered such martyrs.

Although their loss is difficult for us to endure, our country and our nation

have stood with full force to offer such martyrs. They have no way for

retreating and never think of laxity. The blind-hearted ones who have thought

that the Islamic Republic would collapse with the absence of a few

personalities, they know nothing about Islam, are unaware of faith and

indulged in material allurements.

Hypocrites incentives for assassinations

We should find out the incentive of those resorting to such acts. Are they

motivated by the idea to establish a regime for this nation under the

leadership of a group like themselves? Have not they realized that those who

have deviated from Islam, who mastermind the terrorist activities, ans

encourage their agents to carry out acts of sabotage have no place among the

Iranian people?

Since our government and those at the helm are from the people and not

from among the upper class, our nation is calm. The peoples heart is at

peace, because they know even in the absence of these martyrs, there are

other volunteers for martyrdom in the scene. While feeling awfully sorry

about the loss of these martyrs, who were precious personalities for us and

for this Islamic Republic, we have committed people to replace them. We

have believing people committed to Islam, not to mention the nation which

will never retreat in such matters, and is ready to protect the Islamic Republic

against any harm.


116

Solidarity of the Iranian government and nation

In time of the previous regimes—the monarchies—if a king got killed or

died, the country would be disturbed. The point behind such crises was that

the king and his agents had committed so much injustice against the millions

strong masses that as soon as the king died the people would rise up against

the government. But the situation in our Islamic Republic is such that the

people themselves appoint a person as their leader and the nation itself

pushes him aside. In case one is martyred, the people elect a new one. Here

the people consider themselves as a part of the government, and consider the

government as their own. They consider their devoted president as their own

and themselves the same as their devoted president. Therefore, even if the

president is martyred, if the prime minister is martyred and if any other

official are martyred, our nation will not turn a hair. They would merely

choose others to replace them.

Now if you look at our country, the capital Tehran, with the multitudes

of people concentrated in the vicinity of its (Tehran) University as well as the

other cities like Tehran and make a comparison between this republic and the

other republics in the world, and between the Islamic Republic and the

previous regimes in this country, you will notice the differences between

them. If a prime minister got killed in Iran in the past the people and the

merchants would not show any reaction except jubilation and mery-making.

Today when two honored martyrs have left us, the whole country is

mourning for them. The nation will maintain its solidarity, just as it has

already done. Tomorrow when presidential election is announced, the entire

nation will rush to the polls to cast their votes.

I know there are figures abroad right now that are opposed to this Islamic

Republic, and I should rather say opposed to Islam, and they will

immediately start their propaganda campaing, believing that with the

martyrdom of these two personalities crisis will overtake Iran. They may

claim that people are indifferent, if not happy. They unleash such propaganda

blindly. However, you see that people are mourning in every large and small

city, every street, alley and bazaar in the country. I was just informed that the

population around (Tehran) University today was greater than the number of

the people when the 72 personalities were martyred. Such is our nation. If

later on, too, some of our personalities are, God forbid, be martyred, our

nation will be the same as is today. The important point is that when a job is

performed merely for God, not for people, such a job will never fail. A

country will suffer disruption with the death of its personalities if people feel

attached to individuals. But a country that has trusted God, risen up for God


117

and chanted the slogan of Neither East Nor West, Islamic Republic from the

beginning and with the cry Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) the young and

old women and men have come to the scene and luanched the revolution,

such a nation will remain on the stage, because God is present. If Rajai and

the others are not among us, God is present.

In a war at the outset of Islam the hypocrites spread the word that the

Prophet (s) was martyred, but some argued, ―If you worshipped the Prophet,

he has been martyred; therefore, go and take care of his martyrdom. But if

you worship God, He is there even after the Prophets departure.‖ The

Commander of the Faithful, (Imam Ali (s)), sacrificed his life for the sake of

Islam and was martyred, yet Islam remained alive. Imam Husayn (a)

sacrificed his entire close relatives, his faithful disciples, and himself, and

after his martyrdom Islam gained greater strength.

Since the nation trusts God and has risen up for Him, it will not show

laxity after martyrdom of a number of our officials, no mater how prominent

they are or how difficult it is for us to tolerate. Neither will they want to think

that with the loss of some individual, the country is going to undergo

problems.

God Almightly has been with you ever since the beginning and will

support you as long as you remain on the scene as you have been so far. Our

armed forces in the warfronts should note that they are fighting for God, not

for the president or the prime minister or others. They should further

strengthen their hearts and continue their campaign and struggle harder as the

corrupt people try to inflict losses to the country.

Wretched and inhumane conduct of hypocrites

You should never assume that they do such acts out of their strength.

Even a 12-year-old child can carry a bomb to a certain place and leave it

there to be exploded later on. This is not a show of strength, but sign of

extreme weakness. I consider Ibne- Moljam1

a braver figure than these

munafeqin, because he—May God curse him eternally—did his job in the

presence of the people. These munafeqin do not even possess the manly

characteristics of that beast. They act like thieves, doing their job stealthily.

That Abbas Aqa, who assassinated the Iranian chancellor 2

near the

1 Abdur-Rahman ibn-e Muljam-e Muradi, murderer of the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (s). 2 Reference to assassination of Ali-Asghar Khan-e Atabak, alias Amin as-Sultan, the prime

minister of Muhammad-Ali Shah Qajar, by Abbas Aqa Tabrizi.


118

parliament and later on turned the gun at himself once he noticed that he

would definitely be caught, was a brave man in my eyes, but these munafeqin

are cowardly people. These who fled from here and issue orders from abroad

to assassinate people stealthily follow the thesis of cowardly people.

I hope this nation will maintain its presence on the scenes the same way

that it resisted in its confrontation with all powers. On those days, men,

women, the young, old, children and grown-ups resisted clench-fisted against

oppression and kicked the big powers out of this country into Hell. Today

they are resisting and tolerating all such hardships. Their logic is, we are

from God and to Him shall we return. We, who are from God, and know

that whatever we have belong to God, are spending our lives in Gods way

and therefore fear nothing. We never assume that the end of our lives in this

world is the extreme end and there will be no business from then on. Those

should feel scared of death that think the hereafter and resurrection are in this

world. They assume that Bithat occurs in this world and consider it the Bithat

of the ummah, not that of the prophets (s). They also deny the hereafter.

Those should be scared of death who prefer animal death to human death.

But our youths and our leaders who are prepared for embracing martyrdom,

have no fear of martyrdom. Our nation has seen many cases like these and

has offered hundreds and thousands of martyrs and disabled of war in recent

past and is still standing firm. The likes of these gentlemen who were

martyred are dear in our sight, but they have flown to God. We have other

devoted people who seek martyrdom.

I hope that our nation will further strengthen its solidarity and be present

on the scene more than before and hand over the like of these leftovers of the

former regime. The disciplinary and military forces, particularly the city

police force, to work more resolutely in restoring security. I wish you all

success and am sure that you will all be successful.



119

Message Date: September 1, 1981 [Shahrivar 10, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 2, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Mr.: Rajai and

Bahonar

Addressee: Muhammad-Diya al-Haqq (President of the Republic of Pakistan)


Mr. General Muhammad-Diya al-Haqq, President of the Republic of

Pakistan,

I received your Excellencys message of condolence on the sad tragedy

of the martyrdom of the beloved president and the prime minister of Iran.1

I

appreciate your Excellencys sympathy and kindness. I beseech God to

annihilate the plotters and the enemies of Islam.



Dhul-Qadah 2, 1401 AH

1 On Shahrivar 8, 1360 AHS Mrs Muhammad-Ali Rajai (the then President) and Muhammad

Bahonar (the Prime Minister) were martyred in a bomb explosion planted by interlopers of

munafiqin terrorist organization in the presidential office.


120



Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and

Bahonar

Addressee: Shafiq al-Wazan (Spokesman of the Lebanese parliament)


Mr. Shafiq al-Wazan, the spokesman of the Lebanese parliament,

I received your Excellencys message of sympathy and condolence on

the tragedy of bomb explosion planted by the agents of imperialism and the

enemies of Islam which led to the martyrdom of our beloved president and

the prime minister. I appreciate your kindness.

May Gods peace be upon you




121



Subject: Reply to a telegraph of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and

Bahonar

Addressee: Rashid Said Al-e Maktum (Vice-President of the UAE)


Mr. Rashid Said Al-e Maktum, Vice-President of the UAE,

I received your Excellencys telegraph of condolence on the sad tragedy

of the martyrdom of our beloved president and the prime minister with

pleasure. I beseech God to grant higher status to the martyrs and to humiliate

and annihilate the plotters.





122




Bahonar

Addressee: Ilyas Sarkis (President of the Republic of Lebanon)


Mr. Ilyas Sarkis, President of the Republic of Lebanon,

I received you Excellencys message of condolence on the latest sad

tragedy. I appreciate your sympathy and kindness and beseech God to

annihilate the enemies of Islam and those plotting against the oppressed

people of the world. We condemn the latest bombardment in Lebanon by the

agents of the Zionists and the criminal Americans. I hope that these

despicable plots and disgraceful acts which are being committed against

Islamic countries, especially Iran and Lebanon, will spare us the need to

defend ourselves against the baseless accusations. They have so far as to

brazenly accuse us of buying weapons from and having ties with bloodthirsty

and occupying Israel. I hope that these liars will be unmasked and dishonored

before the entire nations of the free world, especially our Arabic-speaking

brothers.




123

Speech Date: September 1, 1981 [Shahrivar 10, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 2, 1401 AH]

Place: Husayniyya Jamaran, Tehran

Subject: Solidarity of the oppressed nations against superpowers-growing awareness

of the nation in the face of the plots

Occasion: Martyrdom of Muhammad-Ali Rajai (President) and Muhammad-Jawad

Bahonar (Prime Minister)

Addressees: Different strata of the people, Muslims of Pakistans Imamiyyah


Solidarity of Muslims and the oppressed people of the world in the face

of superpowers

I warn the Iranian nation and other oppressed nations of the world

against the problems the opponents of Islam want to bring about for Islam.

The greater the volume of sabotages, the more solidarity should exist among

oppressed nations of the world. The basic point is that the arrogant powers of

the world, those taking advantage of the Islamic countries and the oppressed

countries have felt threatened and because they felt that Iran is the source of

general uprising of Muslims and the oppressed people of the world, they

concentrated all their power either on propaganda or sabotage in Iran. All our

brothers across the globe-as it has been said, some brothers from Pakistan

have come here-and all the brothers in faith whom God Almighty has called

brothers should note that if this center of opposition to all superpowers is,

God forbid, hurt, Islam will be isolated for long years to come. Since all our

brothers in faith everywhere are interested in Islam and see Islam useful for

life in this and the next world they must keep in mind that all the powers of

the world have mustered up all the military, propaganda and sabotage effort

so as to contain this Islamic country from which all initiatives against the

Eastern and Western superpowers have started. They want to nip this system

in the bud so that other places are not impressed by it. They also fear that in

the same way that their influenced was curtailed in Iran, it may be cut off in

other places.

In the same way in which they were mobilized to suppress the Islamic

Revolution in Iran out of their fear, all our Muslim brothers wherever they

are and the oppressed people of the world under the domination of satanic

powers must bear in mind that they must preserve this source of opposition to

superpowers. If this source, God forbid, falls apart, it will be a defeat to all


124

the oppressed, the Muslims of the world and Islam in all the Islamic

countries. If this God-sent power which made it possible for the nation to

render ineffective all the powers arrayed against the country and which made

it possible for the nation to cut off all hands from its resources is protected,

the same will hopefully happen in all the Islamic countries and all the

oppressed countries under the domination of superpowers.

Independence of the Islamic Revolution from all powers and groups

If foreign and domestic observers notice they will see that the things

which have taken place in Iran are unprecedented in history. All the

revolutions that have taken place so far were either dependent on the East or

the West. All of them suffered from many big problems. However, the

revolution in Iran is not dependent; it is not a revolution by government,

army or party; it is a revolution by the people, inspired by Islam. It is an

Islamic revolution like other revolutions carried out by prophets throughout

history, without any form of dependence except on the source of revelation

and on God Almightly.

Since the outset of the revolution and earlier days when the foundation of

the revolution was laid, it has pursed the path of prophets and the right path;

it was dependent on neither the East nor the West. It is just an Islamic

Republic. Up to now, our nation has continued with their fidelity to the same

path no matter how unpleasant and bitter things they have experienced. This

path has been kept; it is moving ahead with more strength. Whenever

something happens to undermine the nation, God brings forth something

which makes the nation stronger and more alert and more harmonious.

Growth of commitment and wakefulness of the nation following

assassinations

Of course, what has happened to us throughout the revolution, especially

during these last months is unpleasant for us and mournful for our people

because each one of the individuals we have lost was an asset for the country

and for Islam. Each one of them was like a whole society in himself and

committed to God. Each one of those who were martyred on seventh of Tir

and those who were martyred lately was an extremely valuable servant for

the nation, being like a whole society in himself, committed to and believing

in Islam.

Nevertheless, with the loss of each one of them, our nation grew stronger

and more harmonious; they got to be more wakeful and became more aware

of the evil intentions of the big powers and the parasites working for them.


125

Those who claimed to be servants and devotees of people proved to be

criminals who are against the people and who have so far worked for the big

powers. Therefore, we see that when some of them were sentenced to death

in the former regime, the big powers averted their death sentences. When

they suffer defeat here and flee the country, the world governments,

superpowers and propaganda machinery support them, urging them to

struggle against Iran. This made it clear for our nation that those who

claimed that they wanted to work for freedom of Iran, for removing the

problems of Iran and for Irans independence are making empty claims. They

were unmasked amid the way. All their claims were rendered null and void

and they dug their own graves, and feel from grace among people. All these

claims made long time ago and lately were false and generated conditions in

which they dug their own graves. They have lost their image and prestige.

The more foreign propaganda increases in their favor, the more they lose

their prestige and the more they indulge in sabotage inside the country,

assassinate the dear people of this country or burn the corps, thus unmasking

their true image.

Our people are committed conscious and will not be impressed by evil

propaganda launched by the opponents of Islam in all foreign countries. I

hope that these propaganda operations will not produce any effect on other

nations. These propaganda compaigns have been luanched against our

country because they are afraid that this revolution may find its way into

other places. I hope that nations will wake up and notice that all these

propaganda ploys are meant to stifle Islam right here and not to let Islam find

reality in other places as it is and in the sense of ―neither East nor West.‖ For

this reason, our nation has stood firm and resulte to defend the interests of

Islam and whoever is martyred, this nation will not lose hope; rather they

will become more harmonious and spiritually stronger. Similarly, at the

outset of Islam martyrdom of those committed individuals made the people

and the army stronger and they pushed ahead. Our nation seeks nothing

except Islam trusts God, moves ahead in the divine direction; therefoe, they

have to cast aside material things that may discourage them. God willing, all

the mass and sabotages that are prevelant in Iran will be removed through

legal mechanisms.

Observing Islamic-legal standards with regard to POWs and prisoners

I would like to say a word to draw the attention of all the courts and all

those in charge of affairs that they should not lose their control and overstep

Gods decree and Islamic law in dealing with the michiefs made in Iran, like


126

the tragic recent event in which two1

of the best young men were martyred.

Beware of treating the captives and prisoners of war and prisoners violently

and God forbid, arresting innocent people.

Muslims should calmly continue with their work as prescribed in Islam;

treat the captives kindly and based on what Islamic law demands. Never treat

them in an angry, hasty manner; treat them calmly and in accordance with

legal and Islamic standards. Beware lest martyrdom of our dear ones makes

you act more violently than you should. Try to treat prisoners of war and

other captive in a decent, good manner. Courts should powerfully carry on

with their duties. The nation should powerfully and vigilently inform the

courts and police authorities about the plotters. They should act according to

Islamic-legal standards and impose the right penalty to the corrupt ones and

release the innocent ones. Anyway, the treatment should be Islamic. The

republic is Islamic and the behavior even toward those who have been

identified as killers should be Islamic, even though they should be dealt with

firmy; they should be punished as much as they deserve but not unduly.

I hope that God will look after this nation which has suffered oppression

throughout history and wants to be relieved of tyranny and oppression of the

superpowers and which is under attack from the superpowers and their

agents. May God save the nation from the evil of the enemies of Islam and

humanity. May God grant success to all Muslims in implementing the

Islamic rules and in driving out the opponents of Islam from the scence.


1 Martyr Muhammad-Jawad Bahonar and Muhammad-Ali Rajai.


127

Message

Date: September 2, 1981 [Shahrivar 11, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 3, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Rajai and Bahonar

Addressee: Erich Honker (?) (President of East Germany)


Mr. Erich Honker (?) President of East Germany,

I received your Excellencys telegraph of condolence on the martyrdom

of the beloved president and the prime minister of our country. I appreciate

your sympathy and kindness and beseech God to annihilate and humiliate the

plotters against the oppressed people of the world. I hope that this tragic

incident and their likes which are committed by the agents of the world-

devouring America in every nook and cranny of our country on a daily basis

and a lot of innocent individuals fall victim to these inhuman plots, will act

as a mouthpiece for our innocence in this part of the world, and be a decisive

response to several unfounded allegations which accuse us of buying

weapons from the occupying Israel.




128



Subject: Reply to a telegraph of condolence on the martyrdom of Rajai and Bahonar

Addressee: Sayyid Shahabuddin Marashi Najafi (one of the religious reference

authorities)


Your Excellency Aqa Haj Sayyid Shahabuddin Najafi Marashi—may your

graces last,

I received your Excellencys telegraph of condolence on the martyrdom

of the beloved president and prime minister of our country with appreciation.

The nation of Iran becomes more harmonious with such martyrdoms, but

these losses make the duty of theological seminaries clearer. I beseech God

to grant health and happiness to your Excellency.





129






Mr. Hafiz al-Asad, President of the Republic of Syria,

I received your Excellencys message of condolence on the martyrdom

of the beloved president and prime minister of our country. I appreciate your

sympathy and kindness. It is hoped that these tragic incidents will make the

Islamic nations more harmonious against the enemies of Islam, especially the

world-devouring America, make us determined to fight the enemies of

humanity, help us in defend ourselves against the baseless accusations of

buying weapons from and having ties with the blood-thirsty Israel and reveal

the true image of these liars for all the free nations, especially the Arabic-

speaking countries.





130




Addressee: Ahmad Sokoroto (?) (President of Guinea)


Mr. Ahmad Sokoroto (?), President of Guinea,



sympathy and kindness. It is hoped that these dirty plots will reveal the true

nature of the enemies of Islam, especially the world-devouring America that

spare no effort achieve their wicked and satanic goals and reveal them for all

Muslims so that they do not fall for their deceptive propaganda and are not

like puppets in the hands of those criminals who transgress on the lands of

others, especially the followers of the life-giving school of Islam.

Meanwhile, these heinous crimes and their like which are committed by the

agents of America in every and cranny in our country has turned out to be a

mouthpiece for the innocence of our nation and a conclusive response to the

accusations leveled against us, which have gone so far as accusing us of

buying weapons from and having ties with the occupying Israel.





131




Bahonar

Addressee: Ali Nasir Muhammad (President of the Republic of South Yemen)


Mr. Ali Nasir Muhammad, Secretary General of the Socialist Party and

President of Yemen,



sympathy and kindness. It is hoped that these tragic incidents will awaken the

Islamic nations to know their real enemies at the top of whom stands the

criminal America and not to fall for their poisonous propaganda. It is also

hoped that they provide a cogent answer to the baseless accusations, which

brazenly accuse us of buying weapons from and having ties with the

occupying and bloodthirsty Israel, and help defame these powers before the

free nations of the world, especially our Arabic-speaking brothers.





132




Bahonar

Addressee: Shaykh Zaid Sultan Al-e Nahyan (President of UAE)


Mr. Shaykh Zaid Sultan Al-e Nahiyan, President of UAE,


of the beloved president and prime minister of our country with appreciation.

I beseech God to annihilate all the enemies of Islam, and especially the

criminal America. I hope that these tragic incidents and their like committed

by the agents of Zionism in every part of our country will be a mouthpiece

for the oppressed nations of the world and especially our Arab brother so

that they can better realize the innocence of our nation, and provide a

decisive response to the unfounded accusations against us, going so far as

accusing us of buying weapons from and having ties with the occupying

Israel.





133

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: Qadi Abdus-Sattar (Acting President of the Republic of Bangladesh)


Mr. Qadi Abdus-Sattar, Acting President of the Republic of Bangladesh,



sympathy and kindness. It is hoped that these tragic incidents awaken the

Islamic nations to know their enemy at the top of whom stands the criminal

America and not to fall for their poisonous propaganda. It is also hoped that

they provide a cogent answer to the baseless accusations, unashamedly

accusing us of buying weapons from and having ties with the occupying and

bloodthirsty Israel and help defame these powers before the free nations of

the world, especially our Arabic-speaking brothers.





134

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: Haksi Shi (?) (Chairperson of the Peoples Assembly of the Republic of

Albania)


Mr. Haksi Shi (?), Chairperson of the Peoples Assembly of the Republic of

Albania,



sympathy and kindness. It is hoped that these tragic incidents will awaken

Islamic nations to know their enemy better at the top of whom stands the

criminal America and not fall for their poisonous propaganda. It is hoped that

they provide a cogent answer to the baseless accusations, brazenly accusing

us of buying weapons from and having ties with the occupying and

bloodthirsty Israel, and help defame these powers before the free nations of

the world, especially our Arabic-speaking brothers.





135



Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Mesters. Rajai and

Bahonar

Addressee: Leonid Brezhnev (?) (Chairperson of the Presidency of the Soviet

Union), Nicholay Tikhanov (Prime Minister)


Mr. Leonid Brezhnev (?), Chairperson of the Presidency of the Soviet Union,

Nicholay Tikhanov, prime minister,

I received your message of condolence on the martyrdom of two great

and committed officials of our country, the beloved president and the prime

minister. I appreciate your sympathy and kindness. It is hoped these tragic

incidents will make the oppressed nations of the world more harmonious

against colonialists and more determined in their struggle for independence

and freedom.




136




Bahonar

Addressee: Indira Gandhi (Prime Minister of India)


Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India,

I received your Excellencys message of condolence on tragic

martyrdom of committed brothers, the beloved president and the prime

minister. I appreciate your sympathy and kindness. I particularly appreciate

you for announcing public mourning in your country on the occasion of this

painful disaster. It is hoped that such heinous crimes committed by the agents

of the criminal America will reveal the true nature of this criminal to the

oppressed nations of the world so that they are no longer deceived by the

poisonous propaganda and help them protect their countries against the

plunderers. It is also hoped that such incidents will provide a decisive

response to accusations leveled against our Islamic and revolutionary

government by our peoples enemies who brazenly accuse us of buying

weapons from and having ties with the regime occupying the beloved

Jerusalem and Palestine.




137




Bahonar

Addressee: Paul Losoniz (?) (President of the Republic of Hungary)


Mr. Paul Losoniz (?), President of the Republic of Hungary,



sympathy and kindness and beseech God to grant victory to the oppressed

nations of the world over superpowers. It is hoped that these tragic incidents

will awaken the Islamic nations to know their enemy at the top of whom

stands the criminal America, and not to fall for their poisonous propaganda.

These incidents can also provide a cogent response to the baseless

accusations, which brazenly accuse us of buying weapons from and having

ties with the occupying and bloodthirsty Israel and defame these powers

before the free nations of the world, especially our Arabic-speaking

brothers.




138




Bahonar

Addressee: Dam Mintif (?) (Prime Minister of Malta)


Mr. Dam Mintif (?), Prime Minister of Malta,

I received your message of condolence on the tragic martyrdom of the

beloved president and prime minister of our country. I appreciate your

sympathy and kindness. It is hoped that these tragic incidents will convey the

cry of our innocent people who have been under the tyranny of world-

devouring America for many years to the free nations of the world. Everyday

a new plan is hatched by the U.S. against us to the extent that we are accused

of buying weapons from and having ties with the Quds occupying regime

and bloodthirsty Zionists.




139




Bahonar

Addressee: Si Wasghar Makolam (?) (Prime Minister of Mauritius)


Mr. Si Wasghar Makolam (?), Prime Minister of Mauritius,

I received your Excellencys telegraph of condolence on the tragic

martyrdom of the beloved president and prime minister of our country with

appreciation. I beseech God to grant high status to the martyrs and to

annihilate the plotters of this tragedy. I hope that these satanic plots will

expose the true nature of the enemies of humanity, especially the colonialist

America to the oppressed and poor nations and pave the way for global

revolution against these criminals. I also hope this will get through to the

world the cry of our oppressed nation and provide a convincing response to

our enemies and to the unfounded accusations that we buy weapons from and

have ties with a criminal and aggressive regime like Israels.




140

Statements Date: September 3, 1981 [Shahrivar 12, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 4, 1401 AH]


Subject: Expressing condolence to the families of martyrs Rajai and Bahonar

Addressee: Brother and family members of Martyr Rajai (President) child and

family members of Martyr Bahonar (Prime Minister)


I do not know whether I should express condolences to you or you to me.

These gentlemen1

were committed to Islam and useful for the society. What

is soothing is that what these martyrs did was Gods gratification and

whatever is for God is preserved. It is hoped that we follow the same way

they did.

1 Messrs: Muhammad-Ali Rajai and Muhammad-Jawad Bahonar, the president and the

prime minister of Iran were martyred in a bomb explosion in the presidential office. The

Mujahedin Khalq organization (popularly known as munafiqin or hypocrites) claimed

responsibility for this terrorist act.


141



Subject: Reply to a message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs. Rajai and

Bahonar

Addressee: Muammar al-Gadhdhafi (President of Libya)


Mr. Colonel Muammar al-Gadhdhafi, President of Libya,

I received your Excellencys message of condolence on the tragic

martyrdom of the beloved president and prime minister of our country. I

appreciate your sympathy and kindness. I beseech God to grant high status to

the martyrs, to humiliate the plotters and to annihilate the enemies of Islam

and the colonialists. I hope that these disgraceful plots and acts committed

against the Islamic countries, especially Iran and Lebanon, will make us

needless of defending ourselves against the unfounded allegations that accuse

us of buying weapons from and having ties with occupying and bloodthirsty

Israel, and reveal the intents of these liars to the entire free nations, especially

to our Arabic-speaking brothers.





142




Bahonar

Addressee: Muhammad Zayad Bareh (?) (President of Somalia)


Mr. Muhammad Zayad Bareh (?), President of the Democratic Republic of

Somalia,


beloved President, Muhammad-Ali Rajai and the committed Prime

Minister, Dr. Bahonar, in a bomb explosion with appreciation. It is hoped

that these disgraceful plots committed by the agents of world-devouring

America, will expose the true image of these criminals to the world,

especially our Arabic-speaking and Muslim brothers so as not to fall for

their poisonous propaganda which has gone so far as to brazenly accuse us of





143




Bahonar

Addressee: Kim Ill Song (?) (President of the Republic of North Korea)


Mr. Kim Ill Song (?), President of the Peoples Democratic Republic of

North Korea,


beloved President, Muhammad-Ali Rajai, and the committed Prime

Minister, Dr. Bahonar, in a bomb explosion with appreciaion. It is hoped that

these disgraceful plots committed by the agents of world-devouring America

will expose the true image of these criminals to the world, so as not to fall for

their poisonous propaganda which has gone so far as to brazenly accuse us of





144



Subject: Explaining the philosophy and secrets of hajj

Occasion: Approach of hajj rituals

Addressee: Muslims of the world and pilgrims to Mecca


“God has made the holy house of Kaaba a place for peoples uprising.”1

Salutations to pilgrims to the holy House of God. Salutations to all

Muslims of the world and to all committed Muslims who have come from the

world of Islam to the truth, setting up their representative agencies in the

vicinity of the House of God. Of all divine rituals, hajj has especial features;

perhaps its socio-political aspects outweigh its other aspects, though its

devotional aspect also enjoys especial importance.

The committed Muslims who come together in this general assembly and

divine organization, irrespective of color, language and geographical

condition once in a year. They converge in holy stations to perform Islamic

rituals in the simplest manners, and pay heed to spiritual matters. They

should not overlook the socio-political aspects of hajj. The prominent

ulama and preachers should familiarize Muslims with their political needs

and duties. If Muslims pay attention and act according to these duties, the

honor which God has promised the believers will be restored, they will attain

the Islamic-divine glories, which are the right of Muslims, will enjoy the real

freedom and independence under the shield of the beloved Islam and the

banner of monotheism ―There is no God but God‖, curtailing the influence of

the arrogant powers over Islamic countries and regain the glory and grandeur

of Islam.

In the glorious verse quoted at the beginning of my address, God cites

the secret and motivation for Hajj and the purpose behind establishment of

the holy House of Kaaba to be uprising of Muslims for the interests of people

and oppressed masses of the world. In this great divine congregation

which no power except the infinite power of God can form, Muslims must

endeavor to attend to and settle the problems of Muslims collectively. One of

the biggest and most essential problems is lack of unity among Muslims

1 Surah al-Maidah 5:97.


145

caused by some of the heads of Islamic countries. Unfortunately, no

remarkable step has so far been taken to tackle this problem. In fact, selfish

criminals, who make use of the differences among nations and governments,

foment the disputes through their Godless agents. Whenever the ground for

unity among Muslims is paved, these criminals strongly oppose it and trry to

sow seeds of discord.

Today all the governments and many Muslims nations know that the

Iranian nation rose up after hundreds of years of troubles at the hands of

oppressive and tyrannical kings who used Islam as a mean of plunder for

themselves, for big powers and lately for the criminal America, and through

their grand revolution replaced the illegitimate monarchical regime with an

Islamic government when they saw both Islam an the Quran at stake, and

this way cut off the hands of superpowers, especially the world-devouring

America from their life and property. It is hoped that other Muslim brothers

shackled in the clutches of the bloodthirsty oppressors will benefit from this

Islamic Revolution and Islamic governments backed by their nations join this

great revolution in Iran.

Today, the criminal hands of America and other plundering powers

through Godless agents and mercenaries, attack this innocent nation from

inside and outside of the country by weapons and pens, of more deadly effect

than firearms, with a view to defeat the Islamic Revolution and the beloved

Islam. To this end, they forgo no accusations or libels against a nation which

thinks of nothing except Islamic laws and the glorious Quran, and are intent

on on crushing the Islamic Revolution with feigned pretexts. Those who

command firearms like Saddam and those who do not, use their poisonous

pens, which are worse than the firearms, to hit our country from all sides..

Introducing difference among Islamic schools is a crime carried out by

the powerful countries so as to benefit from discord among Muslims. Their

Godless agents, including the court preachers who are darker than the

tyrannical kings, fan the flame of discors, presenting new ideas to creat rift in

the hope of undermining the pillar of unity among Muslims. Lately, they

have come up with the scandalous accusation that Iran is buying weapons

from and having ties with Israel in the hope of driving a wedge between Iran

and the Arabs and triggering enmity among Muslims, thus paving the way

for the superpowers to tighten their grip as much as possible. But which

aware person does not know that Iran has been and still is an inveterate

enemy of Israel and that one of our problems with the ousted Shah was his

friendly ties with Israel? Who does not know that for more than twenty years

we have condemned Israel as the U.S. match in oppression and its follower in


146

aggression and plundering in our sermons and statements? Who does not

know that in the course of the Islamic Revolution and in the favor of million-

strong demonstrations, the Muslims nation of Iran called Israel along with

America its enemy, blocked the flow of oil to them and directed its rage and

hatred on both. Strangely, the sinister cry was shouted trough the throat of

the U.S. the mother of the illegitimate Israel and Saddam the younger brother

of Begein and their propaganda trumpets, especially those of America were

aired on a large scale, because they have not still suffered such a strong blow

that they have received from the real Islam. The worry these two feel about

unity between Iran and Arab Muslim brothers is not felt by others. America

is worried about its own interests in the region and Saddam about his eternal

stigma and downfall. Muslims, especially the Arab brothers should know

that what is at issue is not Israel and Iran. The Eastern and Western world-

devourers are primarily concerned about Islam which can bring Muslims

together under the honorable banner of Islam and which can cut off the hands

of the criminals from Islamic countries and from the domination over the

oppressed countries, and present the divine progressive school of Islam to the

world. The Arab world should know that the blow dealt to them by Saddam

and Sadat is so horrible that only can be redressed through their unity. Today,

Sadat has consummated his service to Israel by widely arresting our brothers

in Egypt. His unity with Israel and America has defamed all Arab nations.

Unity with the Israel that has, these days, committed a bigger crime than

those it has perpetrated in the region: digging in al-Aqsa Mosque, the first

Qiblah of Muslims. As the pillars grow weaker, the first Qiblah of Muslim,

God forbid, may crumble, thus helping Israel to attain its object goal.

Oh, Muslims and oppressed people of the world under the hegemony of

oppressors, rise up and shake the hands of unity and defend Islam and your

destiny. Do not fear the hue and cry of the powerful countries, for this

century, by the will of God, marks the century of victory of the oppressed

over the arrogant powers and right over wrong. The world should know that

Iran has found the way of God and will be in a relentless struggle with the

world-devouring U.S., this staunch enemy of the world oppressed people,

until its interests are served. The events taking place in Iran will not cause

our nation to hesitate for a single moment, rather they will make our people

more determined in putting an end to U.S. interests. We have embarked on

our hard and unceasing campaign against America and hope that our children

will hoist the flag of monotheism in the world by being liberated from the

yoke of oppressors. We are certain that if we carefully fulfill our duty which

is to fight the criminal America, our children will taste the savor of victory.


147

Is it not a disgrace for the Muslims of the world to give in to the

hegemony of arrogant powers, bandits and pirates despite commanding all

these human, material and spiritual resources, and having such progressive

school of thought and divine support? Has not the time arrived to put aside

carnal desires and extend a hand of fraternity to each other and drive out the

enemies of humanity from the stage and put an end to their disgraceful and

oppressive existence? Has not the time arrived for the struggling and brave

people of Palestine to condemn the political games played by those who

claim to be fighting Israel and rip up the chest of Israel, the inveterate enemy

of Islam and Muslims with firearms? What answer do Muslims have to

provide before God who has called upon them to (stick together around the

string of God)1

and forbidding them from discord and dispute? Do not they

think its their duty to back up the Iranian government and nation who

toppled the flag of atheism with Jihad and raised the honorable flag of Islam?

Do the court preachers consider suppressing the Islamic Revolution to be

more necessary than opposing America and Israel? We demand our Muslim

brothers in the East and the West to act in unison with the Islamic Republic

of Iran and repel the evil of criminals with the help of God, rid the Islamic

countries and the oppressed people of the world of pillage and respond

positively to Gods call in this vital issue. We request the pilgrims to the holy

House of God to pray for the victory of Islam in the holy stations, conveying

the message of Iranian nation and the outcry of this innocent people to their

countries. We beg God to confer on you success in unity of expression and

familiarity with Islamic duties. May Gods peace, mercy and blessings be

upon you.


1 Surah Al-e Imran 3:103.


148

Message

Message Message Date: September 6, 1981 [Shahrivar 15, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 7, 1401 AH]


Subject: Paying homage to the martyrs Ali Quddusi (Prosecutor General of the

Revolution) Wahid Dastjerdi (Head of the Police Force)

Occasion: Martyrdom of Ali Quddusi and Colonel Wahid Dastjerdi

Addressee: Iranian nation

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Verily we are from God and unto Him shall we return

With utter grief and sarrow Hujjat al-Islam Martyr Quddusi joined his

martyred friends.1

He was a dear martyr who rendered service to Islam for

many years. His recent struggles in the way of the revolution are clear to all.

For many years I had acquaintance with him and known this great person as

pious, upright, resistant and committed to the cause. Felicitations on him for

his martyrdom which aimed at getting him out of darkness into light. It is a

road that must be traversed, a journey that must be taken. One had better sip

the cup of martyrdom and proudly attain Gods proximity while serving Islam

and the noble Islamic nation. This is what the saints of God aspired after and

demanded from their prayers.

May the martyrs of the revolution enjoy the savor of martyrdom

particularly our recent martyrs, who joined eternity at the criminal hands of

the most detested evil elements, thus bringing pride for Islam and disgrace

and hatred for the gruelling enemies of the honorable nation.

I would like to express my condolence and congratulation to the Iranian

nation, Qum Theological Seminary and the armed forces on the martyrdom

of the prosecutor general of the revolution, and colonel Wahid Dastjardi,2

1 On 14/6/1360 AHS at 20:20 as the result of explosion of a strong fire bomb planted by the

terrorists of munafiqin grouplet at the office of the Prosecutor General of the Islamic

Revolution (Tehran) Mr.Ali Quddusi, was martyred. The explosion was carried out by the

terrorist group affiliated to the hypocrites. 2 Mr. Wahid Dastjerdi, head of the police force of the Islamic Republic of Iran was badly

burned and eventually attained lofty status of martyrdom on 14/6/1360 AHS in and explosion

carried out by the hypocrites, resulting in martyrdom of the President (Muhammad Rajai) and

Prime Miniter (Muhammad-Jawad Bahonar) on 6/6/1360 AHS. The pure bodies of martyr

Quddusi and Dastjerdi were buried in glorious funeral ceremonies attended by a multitude of

mourners from the High School of Martyr Mutahhari in Tehran.


149

head of the police force, who were on duty, and endowed with this divine

gift. I beseech the Exalted God to grant them mercy and their esteemed

families patience their respected families. Shame on those who think that by

these iniquities they can discourage the honorable Iranian nation, which has

risen up to establish Islamic justice, from fighting against infidelity and cause

it to succumb to the superpowers. Do these blind-hearted defeated men not

see that the mothers, fathers, children and wives of these martyrs take pride

in their martyrdom just the heroes of early years of Islam, standing against all

events like a mountain. It appears that they have been driven to insanity out

of intense despair. Since they see them having been outcasted by the Muslim

nation, they are taking revenge from the Iranian nation.

I beseech God to guide the beguiled youth and to defeat the Godless

leaders.

Salutations and greetings to the martyrs in the path of truth.

May Gods mercy be upon the recent martyrs of Islam. Gods peace be

upon those who follow the right path.



150



Subject: Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs: Rajai and

Bahonar

Addressee: Abdur-Rauf al-Qasim (Prime Minister of Syria)


Mr. Abdur-Rauf al-Qasim, Prime Minister of the Republic of Syria,

I received your message of condolence on the tragedy of the martyrdom

of our beloved president and prime minister. I appreciate your sympathy and

kindness. These tragic incidents with all the grief they trigger expose the ugly

and criminal image of colonialists, especially the world-devouring America,

that spares no effort in plotting and committing crimes against the Islamic

nations. These incidents also obviate the need to defend ourselves against the

unfair accusations which have gone so far as to brazenly accuse us of buying

weapons from and having ties with the occupying Israel. I beseech God to

grant victory to Islam and Muslims and to defeat and exterminate the

enemies.



Ghul-Gadah 7, 1401 AH


151



Subject: Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs.: Rajai and

Bahonar



Mr. Shadhli Bin Jadid President of the Democratic Republic of Algeria,



sympathy and kindness. You who have fought against the bloodthirsty

colonialists for many years and have offered thousands of martyrs in the way

of victory, independence and freedom are well aware of our situation in the

fight against the criminal America and you well know that in order to

maintain their domination over the oppressed nations and to loot their

resources, they stop at nothing and use any trick to suppress them. Definitely,

you know that lately the Great Satan, has accused us, besides its other plots,

of buying weapons from and having ties with the occupying Israel. By this

disgraceful plot they plan to isolate us from our Arab-speaking brothers and

from the Muslim world.





152




Bahonar

Addressee: Muhammad Bin Abdul-Aziz (Prime Minister of Algeria)


Mr. Muhammad Bin Abdul-Aziz, Prime Minister of Algeria,



sympathy and kindness. These tragic incidents carried out by the agents of

the criminal America in our country and other Islamic countries, expose the

enemy and the shameful plots of this great Satan, against Islam and Islamic

nations. These incidents also obviate the need to defend ourselves against the

unfair accusations which have gone so far as to brazenly accuse us of buying

weapons from and having ties with the occupying Israel, and reveal the dirty

nature of these criminals. I beseech God to grant victory to Islam and

Muslims and to defeat and exterminate the plotters.





153




Bahonar

Addressee: Shaykh Khalifah Bin Hamad Al-e Thani (Emir of Qatar)


Shaykh Khalifah Bin Hamad Al-e Thani, Emir of Qatar,



sympathy and kindness. I hope that these shameful plots and disgraceful acts

will obviate the need to explain the wrongs done to the Iranian nation in the

last few years. I further hope that it will give a decisive response to the unfair

accusations leveled against us everyday, having gone so far as to brazenly

accuse us of buying weapons from and having ties with the occupying Israel.

I beseech God to grant glory to Islam and Muslims and to defeat and

exterminate the enemies.





154




Bahonar

Addressee: Soharto (?) (President of Indonesia)


Mr. General Soharto (?), President of Indonesia,



sympathy and kindness. I hope that these shameful plots and acts will obviate

the need to explain the wrongs done to the Iranian nation in the last few

years. I further hope that it will give a decisive response to the unfair

accusations leveled against us everyday, having gone so far as to brazenly


I beseech God to grant glory to Islam and Muslims and to defeat and

exterminate the enemies.





155




Bahonar

Addressee: Yeah Chin Aryang (?) (President of the National Committee of China)


Mr. Yeah Chin Aryang (?), President of the National Committee of China,

I received your message of condolence on the sad incident which led to

the martyrdom of two of our committed and beloved officials. I appreciate

your sympathy and kindness. It is hoped that these shameful plots and acts

will expose to the world the real nature of the enemies of humanity headed

by America. It is hoped that our cry of innocence will get through to others

and serve as a response to the unfair accusations which have been leveled

against us and have gone as far as accusing us of buying weapons from the

occupying Israel.




156

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: Henrik Yablovesky (?) (President of the Republic of Poland) and

Wajessic Yarozanesky (Prime Minister)


Mr. Professor Henrik Yablovesky (?), President and General Wajessic

Yarozanesky, Prime Minister of Poland,



sympathy and kindness. I hope that these savage acts committed by the

agents of the world-devouring America will make you well aware of the

innocence of the Iranian people who had been under the yoke of the criminal

superpowers for many years and who have lost their sons in despicable plots.

Besides their disgraceful plots, they blatantly level all kinds of accusations

against us. They have even accused us of buying weapons from and having

ties with the occupying Israel. By employing these propaganda ploys against

us on a large scale, they struggle to isolate us from the free and revolutionary

nations of the world.




157

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: Tarong Shin (?) (President of Vietnam)-Mam Wan Dong (?) (Prime

Minister)


Mr. Tarong Shin (?), President and Mr. Mam Wan Dong (?), Prime Minister

of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,



sympathy and kindness. You, who were under the oppression and tyranny of

the criminal America and put up with the bombardment of these bloodthirsty

colonialists and were able to come out of the fight triumphantly, are quite

aware of our situation. You know that our heroic and honorable nation has

gone through difficult stages and has had to put up with all types of unfair

accusations to the extent that Western mass media have accused us of buying

weapons from and having ties with the occupying Israel with a view to

isolate us from the free and revolutionary nations.




158

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: Anton Bretrick (President of the Republic of Malta)


Mr. Anton Bretrick, President of the Republic of Malta,



sympathy and kindness. I hope that these disgraceful acts, being committed

by the agents of the criminal America in every spot in our country and the

downtrodden countries of the world, will expose the true nature of this

bloodsucking demon so that people will not fall for their false and biased

propaganda. They have recently gone so far as to accuse us of buying

weapons from and having ties with the bloodthirsty and oppressive regime of

the occupying Israel. I hope this will make others understand how innocence

our nation is.




159

Statements



Subject: Participation of all combatant groups in ceremonies commemorating the

Defense Week

Addressee: Members of the headquarters for commemorating the Defense Week

[In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful]

All the combatant groups and organizations such as the army, the

revolutionary guards, the mobilized popular forces, the headquarters for

irregular wars, gendarmerie and the police which have taken part in the war

imposed by Iraq against Iran are to be present in this gathering1

, because all

of them have taken part in driving out from our Islamic country.

1 The headquarters for commemorating of the Defence Week.


160

Speech



Subject: Stability of Islamic system and its not becoming unsettled due to terrorist

attacks.

Addressee: Muhammad-Rida Mahdawi Kani (Prime Minister) and the cabinet


The systems invincibility to assassinations

Obviously, the program you1

mentioned is what we want. I hope you will

be successful in realizing this program. It shouldnt be like governments at

the time of the arrogant kings when one came up with a program and another

would come up with its opposite and so on and so forth and in practice

nothing was done except oppression and injustice.

One reason for the growth of all our organizations is that your program is

the same as that of the former government. You do not need to come up with

another program. All of you are united in ensuring the internal security and

ideal with the external war. The same is true about economy and attending to

affairs of the weaker people which are the greatest act of worship. I hope

God will grant success to you in carrying out this program the in short and

long term. God willing, you will be successful.

I would like to talk about a few points: one is that all the gentlemen

know that almost all corrupt foreign mass media apparatus propagate that

Iran is on the verge of collapse, as if it has already fallen apart. We want to

see where instability of a country springs from and whether such a thing has

happened in Iran or not. Well, one point is that instability comes when a

number of dear ones have been murdered. So when the president of a

republic gets killed, it becomes clear that this country does not have stability.

I knew that some American presidents who were assassinated, yet I enquired

to make sure how many. I was told eight had been assassinated, of whom

four died. Of these four the last one escaped death. Well eight American

presidents in the biggest capitalistic country were killed. So, if a country

becomes unstable when its president gets killed, America too should have

lost its stability. Well, at his early days after coming to power, Reagan was

assassinated. Why America was not thrown into chaos? There is no reason

1 Mr. Muhammad-Rida Mahdawi Kani, as Prime Minister.


161

why things should get thrown off balance. These assassinations, whatever

they might be, have not changed anything in our country. When a prime

minister gets assassinated, the same day another one is appointed; when a

president gets assassinated whether at the end of his tenure or earlier, another

one is appointed.

Martyrdom of dignitaries makes people more integrated Our nation has left behind Khordad 15 when fifteen thousand were,

reportedly, martyred and which has gotten over 17 Shahrivar with all the

massacre in the Martyrs Square, yet it has not stood aside. Of course, the

interval between Khordad is and the time when the revolution was once

again accomplished, was a little long. Shahrivar 17 was an important event

for us. Tomorrow marks 17 Shahrivar. It was a fateful day for Iran. Those

who are not familiar with Islam and with the spirit of the Muslim people

thought that everything was finished and people were suppressed and went

after their business. Several thousand people were mowed down in Martyrs

Square and the movement was crushed. However, we observed the massacre

was followed by greater involvement of people. The power of the nation,

which is the power of Islam and the divine power, was never shaken; people

pursued the movement more vigorously. We see whatever happens, this

nation gets more prepared to proceed.

Therefore, if instability is represented by great number of people being

killed, on 17 Shahrivar and 15 Khordad several thousands were killed. If it is

marked by assassination of top officials, it does not lead to disruption of a

country. Of course, we regret the loss of great personalities whom we always

remember. A country with a population of thirty million who are all

determined and prepared for martyrdom will not disintegrate. When

personalities obtain martyrdom, their families, brothers and their small

children come and talk to the people and comfort the people. A small child

comes and advices the people to keep up the harmony. This is a blessing of

Islam that the people are present on the stage. When such is the case, there is

no point in saying that instability has overtaken the country. Of course, we

have lost a dear one, but another one takes his place or has already taken his

place. They want to make a mountain out of a molehill. Whatever event that

has happened in Iran has similarly befallen other places. But when it happens

in Iran they say that chaos will ensue in Iran. This does not mean that they do

not understand; they understand nothing important has happened, but they

want to magnify it. The people are comforting us and not the other way


162

round. These people including women, men, the young and old are always

present to comfort us and not the other way round.

These events are not things to shake a nation and a government. Our

government is now the same as our nation and so is our parliament. If, God

forbid, if in other crime the government and the likes of us who are gone, this

same nation is there to counter. Nothing can shake our resolution. Our

children, women and the millions-strong population do not feel a bit shaky.

Of course, they say whatever they want; they are bankrupt and have been

destroyed. We do not expect those who have gone bankrupt and escaped to

praise us. Let them speak ill of us and misrepresent Islam.

Enemies of Islam becoming Islamologists

I was thinking of what Islamology was? In the past, if one wrote an

essay, he would be called Islamologist. One would be called Islamologist just

by writing some articles in a newspaper. If one wrote something about

Islamic history, one would be called Islamologist. Some of them were even

engaged in burning books, like Kasravi1

. He did not care to claim

prophethood. Islamology is swelling up. Even Saddam has become an

Islamologist. Mr. Sadat is also among Islamologists, saying that so and so

conforms to Islam and so and so contradicts Islam. Lately, Mr. Carter2

has

joined the Islamologists. In one of his tours he said what that dentleman did

in Iran was not compatible with Islam! Well, it became clear that we have

Islamologists who add to the scope of Islamology. Tomorrow, Begin 3

will

also become an Islamologist. Perhaps, he has already become so! It is

constantly said that so and so is not consistent with Islam. Well, you who do

not know whether Islam is spelled Izlam or Islam, what do you have to do

with Islam? You write a book and then claim to be Islamologist and know

Islam. Another one writes an essay and claims to be Islamologist. Those who

have lived eighty or seventy years with Islam do not know Islam, while Mr.

Carter and his friends know Islam.

Enemys anger is common

Anyhow, these natural happen in revolutions. The foreign and domestic

groups that have sustained a loss should, of course, speak unfavorably. We

should not expect those who have been defeated and left the country to write

1 Ahmad Kasrawi, writer and renowned historian who called himself nationalist and anti-Arab. He was at the same time

considered to be anti-religion. 2 Jimmy Carter, former president of America. 3 Mankhamin Begin, former prime minister of the Zionist regime.


163

in our favor. We should not expect American newspapers and others to write

favorably about us. Well, they have been driven out and lost their interests.

Well, we should not expect those whom you have stripped of their interests

to write articles in our favor. The nation took away all American interests.

Now, the king is gone and they cannot export half a pound of oil from our

country. So do other countries that have lost their interests. These countries

should obviously insult us. If one day they write well of us, that time we will

have trouble.

Once I said that they do not understand; if they did, they would have

come to praise one who is held in esteem by people. This he would lose all

value and esteem before people. If Begin insults us, our value would perhaps

increase in the eyes of people. If Saddam Begin or others talk bad about our

government, I would say they have the right. Saddam wanted to seize our

country in three or four days. Now it is a year and he is increasingly losing

and we are pushing ahead. God willing, we will advance more. When

Saddam sees that all his prestige hinges on doing something and working out

a peace to serve him as a cover, but Iran refuses to negotiate unless he steps

down, he must obviously be an enemy and say that they have killed five

thousand people. Just the other day when he was disgracefully defeated in

two or three places, he said that they killed five thousand Iranians and did

this and that. Well, if he does not say this, what can he do? He should say

such things. If those who were defeated and fled the country do not make

such mischiefs, what should they do?

The nation has driven out the dictators and proclaimed fidelity to Islam.

People take to the streets and announce their readiness to support the

officials, the government and the Majlis. The enemies should speak ill of us

when they see people are jubilating in their absence and so fervently

supporting their government and Majlis. They should call bloodthirsty and

criminal. They themselves kill these people. They have killed very good

people such as Mr. Bahonar, Mr. Quddusi and the like.

Iran, the most stable country

It is not a feat to put a bomb in some place and kill someone. These

explosions are everywhere in the world. It is natural that some of them

happen here. When we compare our country with other countries in the

world, which one is more stable than ours? As soon as a prime minister is

assassinated, another one takes his place and takes over the affairs. Where

does a president elected by eleven million votes, as declared by them, escape

when people found he was going the wrong way? The very eleven million


164

people rose up against him who could no longer stay in this country, so

people appointed another president. Where else is there such stability? In the

past when a king died, everywhere would be embroiled in chaos. Now, we

see the president was martyred without stability of Iran being disturbed. It

has become more stable. Everybody beats his/her chest and people are in

mourning for his martyrdom. People invite each other to tranquility and

peace. Where is there instability? Which part of Iran is unstable? Although,

sabotage is on the increase and you gentlemen must put it right, all affairs of

the country are in good order, with stability prevailing every where in the

country.

Every minister must closely watch his ministry and employ those whom

he knows from among his friends or relatives. Yesterday, Mr. Rajais family

were here and suggested that gentlemen bring people of their number and do

not fear that they may be accused of employing their friends, relatives and

family. Do not care for such accusations. Bring in people whom you know

and whose background you are aware of. Do not bring in people whom you

do not know or are likely to trigger trouble. There is always the possibility of

a Muslims or some Muslims getting killed.

Anyhow, thank God, despite all the fabrications aired by foreign

propaganda machinery, presenting Iran as a country where people can not

live in their own houses, Iran is the most stable country. The adversaries

portray Iran as a country that has been ruined and that no improvement is

foreseeable in Iran, except death. Everyday people are killed and there is

nothing else happening in Iran. Whether they like or not these explosions and

things like that prove its stability. If it were unstable, these things would not

have happened and they would have let instability to wear out the country.

Their plan was to let people destroy themselves. They saw it did not happen;

now, they are waiting to see the explosions do the job.

No country will be destroyed by explosions or assassinations. If you add

up the number of people killed in assassination plots, you see it is far less

than the number of people martyred on Shahrivar 17. People offered so many

martyrs in 17 Shahrivar and made those sacrifices but no agitation overtook

Iran. They advanced then. Though they were being suppressed, they pushed

ahead and toppled the Shah and severed the interests of all those having

interests here.

Now, thank God, we do not have no serious opponents, these few thieves

cannot be called rivals. These thieves have always been in Iran. In fact, Iran

has always been entangled in such problems. Everyone of us knew about

parts of the problem. For example, we saw in our locality thieves would raid


165

a village. At the time of the regime prior to Muhammad Reza Shah bandits

used to raid and kill the people. This chaotic condition prevailed everywhere

in Iran, but there was not then any means to write about such events in

newspapers. In more remote past, bandits looted and killed the people. If

people wanted to cross a valley they had problem. Yet, Iran remained intact.

Today, we neither have bandits nor is there those killings and nor the raids.

Anyhow, we are not afraid to be told what happened. Fortunately, we see

that we do not have any problem within the country. Well, let those who are

outside come and see for themselves and study Iran. Let them see closely

whether the government has flows or is unstable, whether people are shaky,

whether bazaars are closed and there are strikes? They will see that none of

these things exist and that people are living their daily lives. All are present

on the stage; people take the government and the country at their own.

Everything is in their hands. Whenever any one of you gentlemen, God

forbid, do any wrong, the people will settle account with you. People are

present on the scene. Therefore, what instability do we have about which

foreigners write in their articles? These reports are brought to me. These

news agencies quote foreign media apparatus as saying, that Iran is done for.

While, they propagate that so and so part of Iran is done for, Iran is

undisturbed, the bazaar is in good order and everything is found in

abundance. Costs are, of course, high, but costs are high everywhere in the

world. There is no place where costs are not high. There is explosion and

sabotage everywhere in the world. If Iran is compared with other countries, it

is not known whether such things are found in Iran in greater quantities than

in other countries. Therefore, what problems do we have?

You should be engaged with your work in a big heart, without fearing

any of these problems, as Islam is your stronghold, God is your support and

the owner of this country is the Imam of the time (may Gods peace be upon

him).

Of course, security situation should be carefully examined; because

every one of you is obliged to protect himself. It is a duty in Islam to protect

yourselves. Furthermore, the duty is more serious than before. Attend to the

problems of the people and do things in line with what Islam and you want.

God willing, you are successful and sanctioned. I wish you health. May

Gods peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.


166

Message



Subject: Commemorating the epic event of 17 Shahrivar and resistance of the nation

against plots

Occasion: Third anniversary of 17 Shahrivar

Addressee: Iranian nation1


Shahrivar 17, which is indicative of the inhuman and un-Islamic crimes

of the monarchy and one of Gods days, and expresses the nations

withstanding, and resistance against oppressors and criminals, is alive and

will remain alive in the memory of the combatant Iranian nation.

The brave and combatant people of Iran, on that day and the days of

suffocating atmosphere in which the hatchet men of the deposed Shah

committed all sorts of crime, demonstrated that to attain their human-Islamic

goals, they were ready to stand like an iron dam, were not afraid of brutal

mass killings and were determined to stay on their path. Since 17 Shahrivar

up to today marking its proud anniversary, no weakness or lassitude has crept

into the iron will of the revolutionary Iranian nation; rather, every event and

disaster make the people more determined and harmonious.

Shahrivar 17 should be a lesson to those blind-hearted people who

imagined that by martyring a number of committed leaders of the country,

they could break the enormous dam of powerful and brave Muslims. A

nation which has got over Khordad 15, Shahrivar 17 and other days and has

removed any obstacle like a roaring flood cannot be intimidated nor can this

turbulent sea be hindered from raging by such cowardly acts which are

committed only by defeated, desperate and disposed elements.

Let the blind-hearted people and bankrupt criminals turn their back on

Islam and the nation and vent their wrath and spleen by their brags and big

talks and present the government of Iran as shaky. Let the propagandists

1 The text of the message of Imam Khomeini was read out by his son Sayyid Ahmad

Khomeini in a grand gathering of hundreds of thousands of people from Tehran, including the

families of the martyrs of Shahrivar 17, a group of officials of the country, those disabled in

the event of Shahrivar 17 who had come in Imam Husayns Square and the surrounding streets

to commemorate the anniversary of Shahrivar 17.


167

whose hands have been cut off from our resources and whose hope turned

into despair content themselves with such accusations and frauds, and accuse

us of having ties with Israel-the enemy of humanity. Let them describe Iran

as unstable, shaky and bankrupt as long as they want.

Iran is now moving ahead towards its Islamic-human goals with greater

harmony, unity and with stronger armed forces. The intelligent people of Iran

are increasingly backing up the government, the parliament and other

organizations with greater vigilance, are pulling the U.S. scums out of their

hideouts and handing them over to the concerned authorities. The army,

Sepah and other armed forces are marching ahead triumphantly in their battle

in the war fronts with courage, and will soon drive out the wrong aggressors

by the grace of God, and the government, the parliament and the judicial

council as well as other office holders will carry on with their functions

forcefully and unanimously. The dear great and uncompromising nation is

ever present on the stage and will not let any power and government interfere

in the affairs of their country. Thank God, as of Khordad 15 up to Shahrivar

17 and till today which marks its anniversary, we have achieved our sublime

Islamic goals and continue with our path. I beseech the great God to grant

glory to Islam and Muslims, dignity to believers and exalted station to the

martyrs of Shahrivar 17. May Gods peace and mercy be upon you.



168

Message



Subject: Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Messrs. Rajai and

Bahonar

Addressee: Fidel Castro (President of the Republic of Cuba)


Mr. Fidel Castro, President of the Republic of Cuba,



sympathy and kindness. It is quite obvious that with your long-lasting fight

against this blood-thirsty demon and criminal America, you better understand

our situation where these crimes are committed by the agents of America and

you know the falsity of the extensive propaganda against us all over the

world. I ask God to bring shame on the plotters and to grant victory to the

nations under oppression over these superpowers.




169

Speech

Date/Time: Morning, September 8, 1981 [Shahrivar 17, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah

9, 1401 AH]


Subject: Fruits of martyrdom and sufferings for the revolution

Addressee: Sayyid Ali Khamenei (Secretary General of the Islamic Republic

Party), members of the central council of the Islamic Republic Party


Fruits of martyrdom and sufferings for the revolution

At times, I think if we have achieved anything instead of what we have

lost since the outset of this revolution which should be said was kicked off on

Khordad 15. For example, before Khordad 15, a small gathering was held to

oppose what was happening at the time. If the ousted Shah had showed some

consideration to us, this revolution would not have happened. If he accepted,

we did not have big problems at the time.

If he accepted them, well, the opponents would have lost confidence and

the events would not have come to this point. The difficulties they created

are many and varied, but I do not remember to point out one by one. They

are too lengthy. The pressure they put on the clergies and the way they

insulted them are worth mentioning. Of course, I did not let them in but once

they came. I think it was the time when the late Mr. Hakim1

had sent a

telegraph and they wanted to stop the reply. I think this was the story and

perhaps this had happened earlier. The government agents said a number of

civil servants wanted to come and meet me. I declined their request because I

knew they were the kind of people who would distort whatever I might say in

a meeting. So I refused to meet them. However, they met some other ulama

and the gentleman2

whom they met came to me in the afternoon of the same

day and told me in panicky state that they had came to say that if we respond

to Hakims letter, they would come to our houses and do so and so to us and

to our women, and such vile talks. What are we supposed to do now? I said,

1 Mr. Sayyid Muhsin Hakim (among prominent Marja Taqlid religious reference authority) in

a letter to Imam Khomeini requested that he together with other clerics from Qum immigrate

to Najaf, but the Imam considered the immigration of ulama at that juncture to be not

advisabel. 2 Mr. Sayyid Kazim Shariatmadari.


170

―Did you believe what they said?‖ He said: ―What are we going to do?‖ I got

up right there and replied to Hakims letter. If they acted in a pleasant way

with us at the time, we would not have gained the desired benefit. The

situation would not lead to Khordad 15 which if it had not happened and if

all the unpleasant massacres and oppression had not happened, things would

not have come this far. There was a benefit in everything that happened.

If on Shahrivar 17, these things had not happened and they had let the

people talk, it would not have led to their downfall. The things the ulama

wanted at the time were not very important so it the depose Shah had

accepted to act according to the constitution, this situation would not have

been created. But the evil acts they committed finally led to their downfall;

the fall of the 2500-year-old monarchy. We gained something good in

exchange for any loss we suffered.

You can see that at the time when the late Mr. Beheshti was alive, what

condition these rascals brought about and showed a distorted image of him so

that on the same day there were demonstrations against him in the streets.

People talked about him without knowing the true story. His martyrdom

helped us gain a big benefit and prove that they were wrong. Similarly,

whenever they wanted to gain something from what was happening, we were

the ones who benefited.

Of course, we sustained losses, but loss for the sake of Islam; that is, our

goal was Islam. We had a goal and our goal was a divine and spiritual one.

Those whom we lost were obviously very important, but we lost them for the

sake of the goal. If we benefited for the goal it was valuable, as we did. If

such things had not happened, you know what your party would have been

like for the people. You would have been shown as an odious ruling party.

Now, they keep saying about you, the ruling party; you who are at the top of

the party would have been exhibited as odious and perhaps the people, being

uninformed, would have believed that you were monopolistic and wanted

everything for yourselves. You were presented as the ones who were

undermining Islam.

They would bring up such things, but in any harm that came to us there

was a benefit; that is, our main point was that we get a benefit for Islam. We

wanted to gain a benefit for Islam. Islam lost fifteen thousand people on

Khordad 15—as they said—and this was a huge force for Islam but in return,

a 2500-year-old tyranny which was the source of destructions, was wiped

out. Or Shahrivar was a day when a blow was dealt to Iran. Some individuals

imagined that this spelled the doom of the movement, but the benefit Islam

gained from this event was the same as the one which was gained in the early


171

days of Islam when the Doyen of the Martyrs—may Gods peace be upon

him— was killed.

Those who do not pay attention to spirituality, would ask why the Doyen

of the Martyrs went there to be martyrdom. Why did he come? The

sanctimonious people at that time asked this question. Why did he take his

children with him? At first they asked him why he brought his children. But

the martyrdom of the Doyen of the Martyrs was a very unpleasant thing in

Islam because it was for faith and meant to further the faith; that is, his

martyrdom, which put an end to the Umayyad. Whenever something

happened, the exalted God granted us a bigger reward in return, it without

our need to make propaganda.

Martyrdom of Martyr Beheshti and its impact

You saw that in the morning of the day when the late Mr. Beheshti and

serving other innocent people tragically martyred there, the people changed

their attitude; suddenly, everything they said was reversed. Those who

shouted against him, because they had been indoctrinated and forced to

believe that this man was so and so, changed their slogans in his favor; that

is, in favor of Islam. In the same way, your party was also presented as being

monopolistic. Well, I did not know the whole party, but I know those who

established it. I raised Mr. Khamenei, Mr. Hashimi and Mr. Beheshti. I have

been with them since the beginning to the end. I knew most of them very

well and I know that they are not monopolistic in the sense they said about

them.

We are monopolistic in the sense that only Islam and nothing else has to

rule. The Messenger of Islam also said: ―there is no God but God‖; this is

monopoly and excludes everything except Islam. We say that nothing else

besides Islam. This is the monopoly to which they raised objection. If by

monopoly, they mean this sense, all Muslims are monopolistic. Messengers

are monopolists and God is also monopolist. Monopoly per se is not

something bad and it does not mean that every monopolist is bad. Monopoly

which is aimed at material benefits and is egotistical is vicious. Of course, if

we want the privileges for ourselves, and take advantage of the martyrs who

offered their blood, we are among the corrupt monopolists. But I know you

and I saw that this is not the case; your aim is Islam. Well, sometimes I tell

people that it is not true. Anyway, the martyrdom of Beheshti together with

the seventy people changed the people and woke them up little by little. Now

some of the people have repented and regretted it. It is like the story of the

repentants, and whatever happens is like this.


172

I knew Mr. Quddusi—may God have mercy on him—very well and I

knew what kind of person he was and how they accused him of killing

people and doing this and that. I knew what kind of person he was. He was

prudent, even in financial matters. They complained a lot about him, nagging

that he was very prudent when it came to spending, but when he was

martyred, suddenly a group woke up to the fact that such persons were being

martyred. Whoever they martyr from us and you is in the interest of Islam.

We are not afraid of martyrdom. It is to the detriment of our opponents. If

they acted wisely in the same way that some political fronts do, the president

would have been still the same one, and those corrupt MPs would have been

in place and could gradually push the Islamic Republic towards what is

Western, and the people would say prayers in direction.

But God decreed that they could not understand politics; they did not

understand how to behave. They did not know the nation. They did not pay

attention to Islam. They did not know what the Muslim nation was like. This

way they got panicky and betrayed themselves. They betrayed themselves in

whatever they said; they lost their foothold and began open opposition to

Islam. It became clear who they were connected with, where they came from,

with whom they had ties and this way they destroyed themselves. Sometimes

God acts in such a way that a person knocks himself down; just like the one

who was sitting on a tree branch and sawing it. This was how they destroyed

themselves and whatever they did was in our favor; that is, one gets to realize

that God favors this nation with martyrdom. As God favored Islam and

elevated it through martyrdom of our great leader, it is now protecting Islam

through its enemies. Our enemies are defaming themselves. The way they

chose to lead us astray, they themselves destroy that way. These are things

over which we have no control. God controls such things and our heart is set

on a source which is controlled by Him.

Despair of the enemy and beginning of explosions

The thing I want to tell you is that it has become clear right from the start

that they had evil intention, just as big governments do. They do not just

bring someone here to do things for them all of a sudden. When they drew up

the plan for colonization, they had sacred and good agents in the garb of

nationalists disguised as clerics or others. One comes to realize that one who

cried for the nation for thirty years turns out to be Bekhtiyar. You should pay

great attention so that there are not people like these among them.

They might lead a society astray by their propaganda and by such things.

They gradually lead it astray and it is possible that when they lose hope in


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leading it astray they resort to explosion. Either they lead others astray or

they start explosion. Now they have lost hope in leading the nation of Iran

astray. Whatever they did the Iranian nation understood that they were

perverted. Whatever they said revealed their perversion. Now they have were

pervert doing political plots and taking advantage of them. They lost hope in

Iran. America has lost hope as well. Of course, America might have long-

term plans even for twenty years later. But those who act childishly are

finished. When they are done for and they get desperate, they become like a

cat that jumps at a lion out of despondency; when they get desperate, they do

the same.

Now, they are carrying out desperate acts while they know that they are

nothing. They argue, ―now that we are not given so and so an opportunity, no

one else must be given as well. I have told Mr. Rafasnjani over and over that

this is a very important issue that he must heed. The parliament has always

been targeted and you must employ people whom you know very well and

who want to protect it. It happens that a guard creates a tragedy. Anyhow

whatever has happened and whatever will happen is in the interest of Islam

as well as the Muslim nation, but we need each one of you. This country

needs each one of you. The departure of any one of you is a tragedy. Those

who passed away brought about a tragedy as well as a gain. We too shall go,

thats it, but we should not let it happen that way.

I implore God to grant health and happiness to all of you. I hope that

your newspaper,1

will be the one to guide the people and to guide other

newspapers now that the situation is no longer the same. That is the way it

should be like. I hope you are successful in making your newspaper an

Islamic and honorable one beneficial to the Islamic society and the Islamic

country, God willing.


1 The Jumhuri-ye Islami daily, the organ of the Islamic Republic Party, edited by Mr. Mir

Husayn Musawi.


174

Letter




Bahonar

Addressee: Sayyid Shahab ad-Din Marashi Najafi (on the religious reference

authorities)


Your Eminence Ayatullah Sayyid Shahab ad-Din Marashi Najafi—may your

blessings last,

I received your telegraph of condolence and congratulation on the

martyrdom of the honorable and responsible cleric Hujjat al-Islam Haj

Shaykh Ali Quddusi1

—may Gods mercy be upon him. I appreciate you for

sending the telegraph.

This sad tragedy and its like which are committed by the agents of

America everyday in this great Islamic country, are the last desperate

attempts of the enemy that wants to sidetrack the nation from its holy path

for which the nation has offered thousands of martyrs. But our great and

heroic nation indicated that these criminal and insane acts will not discourage

them from this straight path; on the contrary, these crimes will make them

more committed, determined and harmonious.

“Verily they engaged in deception and God also engaged in deception

and God is the best deceiver.”2 May Gods peace and mercy be upon you.


1 On 14/6/1360 AHS, he was martyred by a tribe bomb planted by the hypocritical terrorists at

the Public Prosecutors Office. 2 Surah Al-i Imran 3:54.


175

Speech



Subject: Conspiracies of the colonialists against the clergy; some advice to the

clergy

Addressee: Prayer leaders of Khorasan Province, the clergy of Rey city and the

clergy accompanying pilgrimage to the house of God


Exploration of countrys resources by colonial governments

At first I would like to thank all the ulama including the ulama from

Khorasan, the holy Mashhad, Shahr-e Rey and the ulama who are going to

perform hajj pilgrimage along with the caravans, for coming to this cramped

place to meet and talk about necessary problems. Powerful governments,

especially America, have drawn up their plans long years ago. Before

America, the United Kingdom used to draw up the plans. They have made

extensive studies of all countries of the world, especially those they have in

mind in terms of resources, and their geography and population. They have

drawn up very precise plans and know much about the resources and of

countries including our country and other countries more than we do. Even

when there was no car, they used to send their experts in caravans on camels

and roamed everywhere and located our underground resources such as oil,

gold etc.

I have said that one of the ulama from Qum Theological Seminary

brought a big paper to me when I had traveled to Hamedan. The paper was

about Hamedan. He said that the paper was about the situation of countries

and their village. I do not remember if it was Britain or another country. The

interesting thing was that there were many points identified in the paper. I

asked: ―what are these points?‖ He said, ―These are places where something

is found, a mine, something underground etc.‖ When transportation was

carried out by camel, the foreigners inspected everywhere in Iran, even the

deserts. With improvement in transportation, their experts had become more

experienced and gained more information. These experts knew the people

and their situation, peoples inclinations, the groups existing among the

people, the situation of parties and wings, not to mention that of bazaar, the

clergy, and their relationship with people. They studied all these, while we

did not know anything about their evil intentions. We were unaware of what


176

their inside agents and sometimes they themselves carried out. While we

were negligent they were vigilantly engaged in doing their job.

Plot to isolate the clergy

Among the things they studied very carefully and followed up by

propaganda was the relation among the clergy and between the clergy and

people and how and when the clergy could mobilize the people. Their experts

have certainly put down all these points in their notebooks and have acted

according to them. Their activities were not one-dimensional but multi-

dimensional. They belittled the clergy as much as they could, also separated

them from people and created discord among the clergy themselves. If this

way was not enough, they placed their agents to carry out their tasks by

exerting pressure.

Maybe a few of you remember Rida Khans period. The story of Rida

Khan coming to Tehran and his coup détat was not an ordinary thing. It was

not accidental that, for example, an ordinary military man was able to stage a

coup détat followed by those things. At first, the planners brought him and,

as one can guess, gave him a program word by word and showed him the

way. Initially, they ordered him to feign as one interested in Islam and in

mourning procession for the Doyen of Martyrs; he acted well. When I was

young I attended a mourning procession which, I think, was organized by the

army. The processions run by the army were characterized by lamenting and

beating the chest. Initially, he gained a foothold by using this virtual weapon.

Those holding the power centers brought him to power by force. He

gradually brushed off the tribal people and those who were in power using

force and ruse. When he gained ground, he embarked on his second plan.

The second plan was to dismantle Islam as much as he could. He sapped

the strength of the clergy who were the source of reference for people,

enjoyed influence in villages or towns and could mobilize in necessary

circumstances. He belittled the clergy through propaganda so much so that

even drivers refused to pick them up. One of my late friends—May Gods

peace be upon him—said: ―I was in Arak and I wanted to come to Qum. I

went to hire a car. The driver said that drivers had decided between

themselves not to ride two classes: prostitutes and clergy. They disdained the

clergy this way. This contempt was not something that Rida Khan wanted to

do by chance. It was a plan to sap the strength of the clergy, who could

disturb a country and mobilize a district under their jurisdiction. This power

had to taken from the clergy, they tried and were able in doing so. They

isolated the clergy and whenever there was an objection or revolt, they would


177

stifle it. The ulama from Mashhad once rose up and were all nabbed,

among those arrested was the son of Akhond Khorasani1

a prominent cleric

who had enormous power at the time. The late Aqa Mir Yunis2

who was in

Mashhad at the time along with a large number of ulama were taken and

carried to Tehran. The late son of the clergy from Khorasan was taken to

court for trial showing him round the street wearing a nightcap. One who had

so much power in Khorasan was treated so contemptuously. It was not a

personal grudge developed by Rida Khan against that cleric. The main point

was to eliminate the clergy. Force followed by widespread propaganda and

slogans composed by devious individuals and stuff like that against the

clergy were order of the day.

Plan to separate the clergy from politics

A plan they had already drawn up and developed was to separate the

clergy from politics. All but a few of the ulama had come to believe that

this was the way it should be. The gathering set up by the clergies must avoid

talking about politics. The idea that ―what the clergy had to do with politics‖

had been propagated to such an extent that many of the ulama had come to

believe it. If a word was said about politics, the clerics would accept that this

is politics and that they had nothing to do with it.‖ If a preacher interfered

with something bearing on society and problems of the people and happened

to discuss the case with a civil servant or office holder, other who had come

to believe that they should not interfere in politics labeled him as ―politicized

cleric‖, considering him separate from them. The duty of cleric was to leave

his house, go to the mosque and if he ascended the pulpit, preach morality

and answer religious questions; he must not say a word about the problems of

the society. They had been raised this way and the propaganda had

influenced them to that extent. The clergymen also attended burial

ceremonies. A society that was to follow in the footsteps of prophets and

Imams had been divested of the aspect given top priority by prophets and

Imams. Any one of them being more detached from the problems were more

respectful among the people. People had also been raised in a way that they

held the cleric who was aloof from political and social matters in higher

esteem. This was the way the government of the time had influenced

everywhere, including the idea that a cleric should avoid saying a word about

1 The son of akhund Khorasani and one of the ulama in Khorasan during the reign of Pahlavi

the first; he passed away in 1355 in Tehran in a mysterious way. 2 Mir Yunis Ardebili, one of the famous disciples of Akhund Khorasani and one of the marked

ulama based in Mashhad during the time of Rida Khan.


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politics. In fact, he should not understand the problems at all. What has a

cleric got to do with such things? They were expected to go to mosque, say

their prayers, and answer some religious questions. He was supposed to talk

about major and fundamental Islamic issues. If the ulama were authorized

to present Islamic principles, the fundamentals of Islam would provide for all

needs of the society. But Islamic issues had been buried in deductive books;

the practical laws had been stripped of the real issues of Islam.

Fear of enemies of Islam of the clergy

In Egypt now you can see the same problem. According to news

agancies Sadat has brought all mosques under his control, banning all of

them from interfering in politics. Egyptian ulama, borrowing Sadats

words, must not interfere in politics; they must go to the mosque and mount

the pulpit, but preach things formerly done in Iran. They must not overstep

the mark. Today, the nation our ulama and we understand what Sadat is

pursuing now is quite like the plan carried out in Iran. We said well, Sadat is

right ―what have the clergy got to do with politics?‖ This statement was

made because the clergy themselves did not interfere. Today, however, we

understand, our nation understands, ulama of Islam in Iran understand that

the plan Sadat is putting into effect is the same one carried out previously in

Iran. But now that the ulama in Egypt have become aware and want to

interfere in affairs, Sadat has got panicky that ulama may interfere and

undermine his government.

They had fooled both people and ulama. A very high person was the

one who had nothing to do with matters related to society and let the

government do whatever it wished, because it had the right to do so. ulama

should submit to the government. The civil servants can do whatever they

want and the ulama must submit to them and not interfere. Obviously, if

you gentlemen and we do not interfere, we will be held in great esteem, are

warmly greeted and our hands kissed provided that the mark is not

overstepped. Politics is for them and answering religious questions ours.

Mosque is ours and political arena theirs. If the ulama accept this, they are

respected. If the U.S. is assured that the ulama will stop interfering in

politics, it will let this nation go and stop the mischiefs, because the one it

fears is the clergy. They saw the clergy are always seeking to object to

injustice.

Despite the appalling suffocation in time of Rida Khan, when everyone

was sacared of ones spouse, several revolts were mounted by the ulama.

The suffocating atmosphere in time of Rida Khan had no bearing on the one


179

in time of Muhammad-Rida. In the stifling atmosphere, the ulama rose up

to protest. Voices were raised from Azarbaijan, from Mashhad and from

Isfahan, from where all the Iranian ulama had been invited to converge in

Qum. They saw that still sided with the ulama and the plan to separate them

had fallen flat, with the uprising being still in progress in the suffocating

atmosphere. They sought to isolate this class and once this was done, they

could easily accomplish all their goals. Do not think that these intellectual

strata and nationalists and the like could do anything. People do not reckon

with them. What they fear is the society, the nation. Those who are in contact

with the people are you clergies. There is a cleric in every village in Iran.

Even if there is no one, it is rare and in every city there are several and in

every province there are many of the ulama whom they are afraid of. They

know that people pay attention to the clergy.

When prayer leaders go to the mosque for the congregational prayers,

each one has his own followers. If their voice is raised, it will cause trouble.

This bastin must be broken at any cost. They seek to eliminate them. There

are still people making such attempts. When they had not perceived the

situation properly and just guessed such relationship between people and

ulama, their conjecture was right. Indeed, the ulama are respected by

people whom they can mobilize. Though this plan was not realized, they

worked seriously through their agents, newspapers and propaganda apparatus

to separate this community of the clergy from the people and remove the

turbans. Short-lived though, the turbans were removed. Students of theology

could not appear in the streets. This was the situation in time of Rida Khan.

Later, as time rolled on, they found it to be futile. This community of the

clergy cannot be eliminated through force, pressure, imprisonment,

banishment and things like that. Well, there were political ways through

which they discouraged people from the clergy; they separated them from the

people. They did not realize that day and so they went after this aim

seriously. Today, they suffered a blow by Islam and these great ulama of

Islam. They perceived that the clergy can mobilize the people. This mass

mobilization that happens in Iran whenever the revolutionary guards call on

people is the fruit of mosques functioning as centers of such activities. This

idea has been inculcated in peoples mind.

The overwhelming majority of the ulama of Islam felt that they had to

break the barrier of non-interference in politics and that they had to get

involved and interfere. We should take care of the affairs of Muslims.

Attending to Muslims affairs does not mean going to say prayers and

following the religious authorities verbally. This is not among the affairs of


180

Muslims; it is one of the duties of man towards God. Muslims affairs consist

of socio-political affairs. All the prophets from Adam—may Gods peace be

upon him—to the Seal of the Prophets—may Gods peace be upon him and

his household—have come to reform the society; they sacrificed themselves

for society. We do not have an individual above the prophets. We do not

have anyone above the Imams—may Gods peace be upon them. These

individuals sacrificed themselves for the society. God says, “Verily we sent

the prophets with signs and miracles and gave them the scale of justice so

that people can establish justice.” 1

The purpose behind establishing justice

is that there must be social justice among the people. Transgression must be

wiped out, the weaker people helped and justice dispensed. God further says:

―We brought forth Iron in which there is equilibrium. What is equilibrium?‖

It means that if anyone wants to destroy a society and a just government, one

should be advised, with sings; if this does not work, speak to them in terms

of rational standards, but in case of failure employ iron.

Interference of the prophets in acute political problems

Those who sympathize with the corrupt ones who are engaged in bomb

explosions, assassination attempts and such things, do not know the language

of the prophets. They think that prophets have come to preach and that is all.

Which prophets do you know was not involved in acute social affairs?

Moses—may Gods peace be upon him—was a shepherd challenging

Pharaoh with his stick; he did not go to the bazaar to talk about a problem. Of

course, this is also part of their mission, but Moses (a) went straight to

Pharaoh. God too sent him to go after Pharaoh and invite him with leniency2

.

When leniency did not work, then he had to revolt. When did the honorable

prophet just sit and talk, and did not have anything to do with society? Those

who say ―what has the clergy got to do with politics‖ when did the honorable

prophet stay out of political issues? He formed a government and fought with

those who were against Islam and who oppressed the people.

They wanted to isolate us in this way by saying that a soldiers fatigues

were incompatible with justice. Commander of the Faithful put on a soldiers

fatigues; so was it inconsistent with justice? Did not the Doyen of the

Martyrs have a soldiers fatigues? They isolated us by this widespread

propaganda; that is, they kept drumming it in our minds so much so that we

came to believe that we should not have anything to do with politics. No, the

matter is not like this. The question of interfering in politics took precedence

1 Surah al-Hadid 57:25. 2 Surah Taha 20:43-44.


181

with the prophets teachings. The question of armed struggle against those

who cannot be considered as human beings and want to destroy the nation

was at the top of the agenda of prophets. We brushed aside all the

instructions of prophets and just refrain from interfering in politics and

society. We adopted its prayer and we forgot the rest. How is it possible that

being a Muslim is just restricted to praying, fasting and going to hajj and

such things and not interfering in Muslims affairs? If someone is not

concerned with Muslims affair, one is not a Muslim, according to a

narration ascribed to the Messenger of God.1

Our nation has woken up and become aware of things, realizing that

those who are against the clergy are against the nation, not against the clergy.

If the clergy had nothing to do with the government, they would be

respected, but an empty respect and at the cost of losing honor before God. It

was a kind of respected showed by a governor to a cleric. Today, all have

understood except those who do not want to understand and are close-minded

to realize that interfering in political affairs was so paramount an issue that,

prophets came for it. How is it possible to dispense justice and make the

people establish it without interfering in political affairs? How is it possible

for someone to dispense justice among the people without interfering in

political and social affairs and the needs of the nations? Would it be possible

for you and us to come to terms with Muhammad-Rida and to tell him, ok,

we have nothing to do with you anymore. He came and said, ―O Marja of

Islam! I have ceased doing those things. One who called the Marja ―these

unhappy ones‖ and insulted them came to them and said 2

so. Why did he do

so? Because he wanted to deceive us again. He thought he could deceive

people once more.

Beware not to be taken in. Do not let these devils come and tell you not

to interfere in Islam and politics, and ask you to go after your own

discussion. You will be highly respected for that, there will be no more

martyrdom; it was the result of interfering in politics that caused several

thousands disabled and martyrs. This objection should be originally

addressed to the honorable prophet. If they too had nothing to do with the

capitalists of Mecca and Hijaz and just sat in the mosque and talked about

religious issues, war would not have broken out, massacre would not have

happened and his great uncle would not have gotten killed. The same

1 USul al-Kafi, vol. 2, p.164. 2 It refers to a famous statement by Muhammad-Rida Pahalvi, a day before the appointment of

Azhari as prime minister. In this statement which was known as ―repentance letter‖, the Shah

sought the help of the prominent ulama.


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problem was faced by the Doyen of the Martyrs. If the Doyen of the Martyrs

went to Yazid and pledged allegiance to him and just talked, he would have

come to terms with him and Yazid would have respected him and even

kissed his hand. But was this the duty? Are we intimidated that several

thousand people have been killed? If we are, we should basically abandon the

prophets path. We should push into oblivion the things which prophets

brought and for which God commanded them to call upon leading light. The

call was not just to go and ask them to embrace Islam and if they did not,

they would go after their own business. Prophets invited verbally and if need

arose hit the people on the head to mend their way, and in this way and they

killed and got killed. Martyrdom is not something one retreats back from. It

is said that if things were not like that and if we came to terms with the Shah,

all these massacres would not have happened. If the prophet too came to

terms with Abu Sufiyan, massacres would not have happened. If the Doyen

of the Martyrs and Commander of the Faithful came to terms with their

opponents, all these massacres would not have happened; the battle of Siffin

and Jamal would not have occurred. These people have shut their eyes. They

either do not want to understand or have not understood what the prophets

did and what sacrifices they made to obtain their goals. Since the advent of

Islam up to the latest years of Islamic advancement, the saints of God made

lots of sacrifices.

The clergy and the Muslim nation may be criticized that if they had

remained silent, everything would have been in the right order, and

Muhammad-Rida would have done everything, and it would not harm

anyone if the U.S. took a portion of our resources. This is none of our

business. The wealth of the world is not so much dear. Oil is a stinking stuff

and valueless. Let them relieve us of oil by taking this fetid substance. If you

had got along with them, we would not have mounted such meetings and

rallies nor suffered from troubles, massacres and these high prices. All these

objections could be raised against prophets as well. If you think of yourselves

as followers of prophets and if our people think of themselves as followers of

the honorable prophet, they should carry on with these things seriously in the

same way as the honorable prophet did at the time of his death and when he

sent an army outside Medina, ready to go to war. Which day was the prophet

not involved in socio-political problems or war? Did not the prophet know

that in the battle of Ohud a lot of dear ones would get killed? But it was a

duty that God had commanded to be done. The prophet, too, could not help

it; it was Gods command. God has sent the signs, the scale and the iron. If

the scale and standards worked, that is fine, but if not, then bring in the iron.


183

The people should be hit on their heads with iron so as to mend their ways,

so that a sound society can be built.

Reform of society, aim of all prophets

All the prophets have come to reform the society. All of them were

unanimous that the individual should be sacrificed for the society. No matter

how big and valuable an individual might be when this individual is in

conflict with the interests of the society, the former should be sacrificed. The

Doyen of the Martyrs came with such an scale in mind and sacrificed

himself, his companions and his friends Individuals should be sacrificed for

society so that it can be reformed. Justice should find reality among people

and society. The prophet and his followers offered lives, money and made

great efforts. It cannot be said that the prophet slept even one night and day

in peace. All his life time was devoted to amelioration of the society in any

way possible be it with the Quran, his utterances, his own words and his

preaching. When he saw this way did not work, he would pick up the sword

and hit whoever attempting to destroy the society and ruin the nation. When

proof fails, he would resort to sword.

We claim to be the prophets people and Shiites (partisans) of Ali ibn

Abi Talib. We must study and see what they did. It is not enough to make

verbal confession of being Shiite. Shiite signifies that you should watch

what they did and follow their lead. Many wars broke out in time of the

honorable prophet in order to reform the society, and curtail the hands of the

oppressors, the plundering capitalists, and oppressing tyrants. He devoted his

entire life to this struggle in Mecca. He could not act the way he desired. He

valued the scale and preaching. He planned for it. He did not just sit and

plan, but gathered men until Medina was prepared and he came to Medina.

Afterwards, he was constantly involved in battles and politics. If we are the

people of the prophet of God, this is the Messenger of God. If we are the

Shiites of the Commander of the Faithful, we should know how many times

he took part in wars in the company of the Messenger of God until the holy

prophet departed this life. Later, he embarked on an internal fight. He

deemed it advisable to maintain the stability of society. The day he was given

the pledge of allegiance, he stated the points. He said his first program and

the most important one was to take away even the dowry they got for their

women from the pillage. When he let out this call, they saw that living would

not be possible this way; and that this leader was different from the previous

ones. They could not live with him. They started and the Commander of the

Faithful fought three important wars. How many Muslims were killed? How


184

many were killed from the other party? All of them were Muslims. That side

consisted of inveigled Muslims. This side contained guided Muslims.

Nevertheless, when deceived Muslims go to war against the Muslims who

were guided, here too the answer is the sword. If the scale and the proof do

not work, the answer is the sword.

Need to strengthen theological seminaries and jurisprudence

I would like to remind all theological seminaries in Qum, Mashhad and

other cities that they are the target of the superpowers. What for? Because the

nation looks upon them as religious scholars and jurists fulfilling their divine

duty. So these seminaries and jurisprudence must be maintained as before.

Study religious sciences diligently and struggle to increase the number of

religious students and clergies. Do not think that we no longer need the

clergy. We will need them forever. Islam always needs the clergy. Islam will

be destroyed without ulama. They are experts on Islam and have

maintained Islam till now, and for Islam to be preserved there must be the

clergy. An intellectual cannot maintain Islam. An intellectual mocks the

explicit verse of the Quran. Islam has been passed on to the present time by

you who must seriously work to provide Muslim jurists and the clergy. To be

a jurist does not contradict interfering in the affairs of Muslims.

As for the young, they must engage in studying, and these jurisprudence

centers must rise in number and religious authorities (Marja) and teachers

should give greater care to these centers. Preserve these centers as they have

been up to now. If they are not preserved, the way they have always been,

tomorrow the people will not accept you. People do not want a turbaned one,

they want a scholar. Of course, turban is a sign of knowledge. If our

theological seminaries, God forbid, become weak in education and fail in

strengthening jurisprudence, this will be a big treason to Islam. It is a devilish

idea to argue that we no longer need to study fiqh. Such an idea conforms to

the U.S. long-term plans. If ulama in Khorasan, Qum, Tabriz and other

places where there is a theological seminary, do not strengthen the traditional

fiqh be sure that in half a century only a name will remain of Islam. If

Muslim jurists from early years of Islam to the present day were not present,

we would not have known anything about Islam. They were the ones who

presented Islam to us and taught Islamic jurisprudence, wrote books and took

pains to hand it over to us. We must preserve this. It is a divine duty to

strengthen theological seminaries. Of course, among the seminaries there are

individuals who interfere in socio-political affairs as they should. But if we

neglect jurisprudence and assume we have nothing to do with it, we have


185

helped to push Islam into oblivion after a while. The seminaries should

remain undisturbed and as strong as before. In fact, they should grow

stronger day by day. Now, intrusive individuals are gone; those who

tampered with your turban have now been buried.

You must preserve Islam by preserving jurisprudence. Islam is in these

books. By preserving jurisprudence, these book and these writings, by

discussion and by setting up theological seminaries to disseminate all Islamic

sciences, you can preserve Islam. Bring to the surface those books that were

forgotten and preserve this stalwart bastion which has so far propped up

Islam. We are duty-bound to keep Islam as has been handed down to us and

pass it over to the future generations, who will in their turn hand it down to

the subsequent generations till its owner reappears to reclaim it.

I hope that the clerics who are going to make a pilgrimage to Mecca with

the caravans will pay special attention to such things and enlighten the other

pilgrims. Iranian pilgrims should be a model to represent Islam and the

Islamic revolution. They should not act in a way that may denigrate them.

The clergy should preach and the ulama should have meetings where they

can discuss such things; they should talk to people and guide them wherever

they are and draw the attention of the people to problems and oppression

suffered by Iran. Tell the Muslims of the world how the big powers and their

associates treat us just because we want Islam.

May God strengthen Islam and strengthen and refine the Muslim clerics.



186

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: Haj Sheiho Shagari (?) (President of Nigeria)


Mr. Haj Sheiho Shagari (?), President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,



sympathy and kindness. These nasty incidents have not weakened us in our

holy path; on the contrary, they will make us more determined. On the other

hand, these incidents provide a response to the lies and accusations leveled

against us by the bloodsucking enemies, at the top of whom is America, that

have gone so far as to accuse us of buying weapons from and having ties

with the occupying Israel, which are meant to cut us off from our Muslim

and Arabic speaking brothers. “God is cognizant of their acts and

situations.”1



1 Surah Buruj 85:20.


187




Bahonar

Addressee: Theodor Dour Chekiv (?) (President of the Republic of Bulgaria)—Gerisha Philipov (?) (Prime

Minister)


Mr. Theodor Dour Chekiv (?), President and Gerisha Philipov (?), Prime

Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria,



sympathy and kindness. I hope these crimes committed by the agents of

America will get the cry of our innocence through to the world and provide a

response to the baseless propaganda spread massively against our nation and

against the Islamic Republic everyday.




188




Bahonar

Addressee: Holio Cazar Topi Ayala (?) (President of Colombia)


Mr. Holio Cezar Topi Ayala (?), President of Colombia,



sympathy and kindness. I hope these nasty crimes committed by the agents of

America will get the cry of our innocence through to the world and will

present the truth of the accusations against us which have gone so far as to


I beseech God to grant victory to the oppressed people and to destroy the

colonialists.




189

Decree Date: September 11, 1981 [Shahrivar 20, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 12, 1401 AH]


Subject: Appointment of commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps

Addressee: Muhsin Ridai


Mr. Muhsin Ridai,

I hereby appoint you as the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard

Corps1

in order to carry out, with full commitment, all responsibilities

delegated to you, and fully cooperate with other armed forces. Obviously, the

Pasdars (guards) must follow the commander and try hard to preserve

independence and order. I wish you success in this matter.


1 In accordance with the duties and authorities of the leader stipulated in article 110 of the

Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.


190

Message



Subject: Commemorating the ―Martyr of the Altar‖: Friday prayer leader of Tabriz;

highlighting the American crimes

Occasion: Martyrdom of Mr. Madani at the hands of hypocritical terrorist


In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Verily we are from God and unto God we shall return

By martyring another progeny of the Messenger of God and the spiritual

son of the great martyr Imam Ali (a), another crime of the deviants and

hypocrites was recoded. The great, honorable and just clergy who was a

teacher of ethics and spirituality, Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, the great

martyr and the late Haj Sayyid Asadullah Madani, may Gods mercy be upon

him, was martyred in the altar at the hands of a vicious hypocrite, as was his

great grandfather.1

If by martyring the Commander of the Faithful Islam had

been wiped out and Muslims annihilated, martyring his dear sons like martyr

Madeni would fulfill the aspirations of the hypocrites. If the unlucky

Kharajites had been able to achieve their sinister goal of ruling over Muslims

after martyring Imam Ali (a), those treacherous grouplets would be able to

achieve evil aim of toppling the Islamic system and replacing it with an

American one. Those (kharejites) brought on themselves and their

bloodthirsty masters the curse of God and the Messenger and eternal stigma

and these (hypocrites) Gods eternal chastisement and wrath and the

damnation of the Muslim nation. The great nation and the esteemed clericss

have stood firm to pick any flag fallen from the powerful hands of a devotee

1 Mr. Sayyid Asadullah Madani, the representative of Imam and Friday Prayer Leader in

Tabriz was martyred by a hand grenade lobbed by one of the terrorists while performing his

recommended prayer after Friday prayer on 20 Shahrivar 136. In this tragedy, three other

worshippers were martyred and about fifty other injured. On this occasion, a public mourning

was declared in Azerbaijan and on 21 Shahrivar 1360 AHS the brave people of the province

massively attended the obsequies in one of the most unprecedented mourning ceremonies. On

22 Shahrivar the funeral ceremonies of this martyr together with the pure body of Mr.

Shahabuddin Ishraqi (Imams Khomeini son-in-law) were conducted with multitudes people

and clergies from Qum being present and both were buried in a mosque above the Mausoleum

of Hadrat Masumah.


191

and attend the arena to protect the banner of Islam. With his innocent

martyrdom, Martyr Madeni isolated the anti-revolutionaries and anti-Islamic

hypocrites. This shining Islamic figure spent his life refining his self, serving

Islam, educating Muslims and fighting for the sake of the truth against

falsehood. He was one of the unique figures commanding profound

knowledge, piety and self-edification in abundance. Martyring such an

Islamic personality together with some offsprings of Islam and loyal friends

of the Islamic Revolution in the Friday prayer venue in the presence of a

Muslim congregation signifies nothing but enmity to Islam and their

eagerness to obliterate the vestiges of the Sharia ending the Friday

congregational prayers. If up to today they made baseless excuses for their

crimes and mischiefs, they will not have any excuse except taking revenge on

Islam and the honorable nation through martyring this pious cleric, who

thought of nothing but serving Islam and the Muslims. They are taking

revenge on Islam, which they consider to be responsible for downfall of the

tyrants and defeat of the superpowers in Iran and then in the region, and on

the powerful people who have turned their backs on them, destroyed their

fantasy castles, and sent them out forever. The combatant people of Iran,

especially the courageous people of Azerbaijan, who have lost such eminent

and committed cleric and who know their bankrupt enemy will avenge them

unflaggingly.

I congratulate and condole the pure forefathers, especially Imam of the

Time (may our souls be sacrificed for him) the struggling people of Iran, the

brave people of Azerbaijan, the theological seminaries and the respected

families of these martyrs on the martyrdom of this dear great Mujahid and his

loyal friends.

The line of martyrdom is the line of the household of Muhammad and

Ali. This honor has been bequeathed by the offsprings of those honorable

ones and their followers. Gods greetings and salutations of the Muslim

nation to this line of martyrdom. Gods endless mercy on the martyrs of this

line throughout history. It is an honor and pride to strong children of Islam

and the martyrs in its path. Gods eternal curse, disgrace and damnation on

the associates and followers of the Eastern and Western devils, especially the

Great Satan, the criminal America, that thinks with its devilish plots and

subterfuges it can weaken the nation that has risen up for God and Islam and

has offered thousands of martyrs and disabled. These are the followers of the

Doyen of the Martyrs who sacrificed his six-month baby up to eight-year-old

men for Islam and the glorious Quran and thus irrigated the dear Islam with

his blood, and kept it alive. The army, the Sepah, other armed forces and the


192

people are followers of the saints of God who sacrificed everything for their

belief and Islam and brought pride and honor to Islam and its grand

followers.

I implore God to grant glory to Islam and Muslims and mercy on the

martyrs, especially the last ones and particularly the beloved and great

Martyr Madeni. I beseech God to grant complete recovery to the injured of

this incident and to grant patience to the great nation, especially the people of

Azerbaijan and families of the martyrs. Salutations and greetings to

everybody.

May Gods peace be upon His righteous servants.



193



Subject: Agreeing with change in professions and appointing officers of the air force

Addressee: Waliyullah Fallahi (Deputy Joint Chief of Staff of the armed forces)

[Your Holiness the Great Leader of the Revolution and the Founder of the

Islamic Republic of Iran and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces,

As per article three of the Constitution, the appointment of commanders

of the threefold forces rests with the authorities of the leader based on the

propositions of the Supreme Defense Council. Having considered all aspects,

the council, suggests the following change in profession and the appointment

of officers of the air force as follows:

1. Colonel pilot Jawad Fakkouri, commander of the air force of the

Islamic Republic of Iran at the location of the joint chief of staff of the armed

force of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

2. Colonel pro tem controller Shekari (Muhammad Hasan-Pur) substitute

commander of the air force of the Islamic republic of Iran at the location of

the commander of the stated force.

Substitute commander of the joint chief of staff of the armed forces]


I appreciate the service of the colonel pilot Jawad Fakuri—may God

assist him. It is hoped that in the future he will keep up with his services as

before. The above-mentioned items are approved.



194

Letter

Date: ?


Subject: Performance of the judiciary and approving of Mr. Musawi Ardebili

Addressee: Sayyid Muhammad-Rida Golpaygani (of the prominent religious

reference authorities)


Your Eminence Ayatullah Aqa Golpaygani,

After extending my greetings, I received your letter which contained

issues related to whatever was happening. I appreciate your Eminences

concern about the situation and thank you for the notes. I am quite aware of

the matters. However, because of the problems which sometimes make

things the way they are and in view of my knowledge of most of the officials

in charge, especially Hujjat-al-Islam wal-Muslimin Aqa Ardebili1

whom I

know for many years as being committed to serving Islam and has been

diligent in preserving the Islamic rules, I am sure that with respect to the

issues in question, he will not do anything without a religious excuse.

Nevertheless, I forwarded your letter to him so that he can present a report on

this issue. I assure your Eminence that people like him do not tend to go

against the rules, but sometimes strange problems lead to such things.

God willing, with the prayer of your Eminence, the Islamic country will

be protected against any harm. Lately, I have heard that your Eminence is

recuperating. After inquiring, I learned that fortunately your Eminence have

recovered. I beseech God to grant your Eminence health and longevity.



1 Aqa Sayyid Abdulkarim Musawi Ardebili, head of the judicial council.


195

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: Yotseh Daniel (President of the Republic of Mongolia)—Batmonokh

(Prime Minister)


Mr. Yotseh Daniel, President and Mr. Batmonokh, Prime Minister of the

Republic of Mongolia,



sympathy and kindness. I hope these disgraceful crimes committed by the

agents of America will get the cry of our innocence through to the world and

provide a decisive response to the absurd and false propaganda directed by

America, Israel and their agents against us everyday. I beseech God to grant

final victory over the arrogant powers to the oppressed people.




196

Telegraph Date: September 14, 1981 [Shahrivar 23, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 15, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a telegraph of condolence on the death of Shahabuddin Ishraqi1

Addressee: Sayyid Muhammad-Rida Golpaygani (among the religious refrence

autorities)


Hadrat Ayatullah Aqa Haj Sayyid Rida Golpaygani—may your graces last,

I appreciate your telegraph2

in which you expressed your sympathy and

kindness with respect to this tragic event. I beseech God to grant health and

success to your Eminence.



1 Imam Khomeinis son-in-law. 2 The text of the telegraph is as follows:


Your Eminence Ayatullah Mr. Khomeini (may your blessings last long),

With utter grief and sadness, I express my condolences on the death of the respected

Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Mr. Ishraqi, your respected son-in-law—may his soul rest in

peace. “Verily, We are from God and unto Him shall we return.” I beseech God to grant high

status to the deceased and longevity to Your Eminence and to get greater divinely sanction in

solidifying the principles of the sacred shariah.

May God grant patience to the family of the deceased.

Muhammad-Rida al-Musawi Golpaygani



197




Addressee: Sayyid Shahabuddin Marashi Najafi (among the religious refremce

authorites)


Hadrat Ayatullah Aqa Haj Sayyid Marashi Najafi—may your graces last,

I received your telegraph2

of condolence. I appreciate your sympathy and

kindness and beseech God to grant health and success to your Eminence.



1 Imam Khomeinis son-in-law. 2 The text of telegraph is as follows:


The respected leader of the Islamic Revolution, your Eminence Ayatullah Khomeini—may

your graces last,

I extend my greetings and express my condolence on the death of Hujjat al-Islam wal-

Muslimin Mr. Ishraqi, your son-in-law, to you and all his family members. I beseech God to

grant high status to the deceased. I seek your good prayers.


Shahabuddin al-Husayni al-Marashi al-

Najafi-Qum



198




Addressee: Sayyid Abdullah Shirazi


Hadrat Ayatullah Aqa Haj Sayyid Abdullah Shirazi—may your graces last,

I received your telegraph2

of condolence. I appreciate your sympathy and

kindness and beseech God to grant health and success to your Eminence.



1 Imam Khomeinis son-in- law. 2 The text of telegraph is as follows:

Your Highness Ayatullah Khomeini-may your blessings last,

I extend my greetings and salutations. The tragic news of the death of the late Hujjat al-

Islam wal-Muslimin Mr. Ishraqi, your great son-in-law, caused us feel sorrowful. I express my

condolences to your Eminence and the respected family of the deceased. I beseech God to

grant high status to the deceased and patience to your Eminence and the other respected family

members. I implore God to grant you health and greater divinely sanction under the aegis of

the Imam of the Time (may our souls be sacrificed to him). May Gods peace, mercy and

blessings be upon you.

Al-Sayyid Abdullah al-Shirazi

Holy Mashhad



199






His Holiness Ayatullah Imam Khomeini—may your presence last,

Enclosed herewith is the list of the names of three prisoners who have

been granted either amnesty or mitigation in their punishment by the

Amnesty Commission of the Justice Department and approved by the

Supreme Court pending your approval.

Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi

Ardebili]


I agree with this.1



1 In accordance with the authorities and duties of the leader in the Constitution of the Islamic

Republic of Iran.


200

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: Mobutu Sese Seko (?) (President of Zaire)


Mr. Mobutu Sese Seko (?), President of Zaire,



sympathy and kindness. I beseech God to grant high status to the martyrs and

humiliate the plotters. I hope that these heinous crimes committed by the

agents of America, will reveal to the world our innocence in the face of this

bloodthirsty giant and spare us the need to provide a response to the baseless

propaganda which is massively is launched against us.




201

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: John Du Howan (?) (President of the Republic of South Korea)


Mr. John Du Howan (?), President of the Republic of South Korea,



sympathy and kindness. I beseech God to grant the martyrs high status and

humiliate the plotters.




202



Subject: Reply to message of condolence on the martyrdom of Friday Prayer Leader

of Tabriz, Aqa Sayyid Asadullah Madani

Addressee: Ahmad Sokorto (President of the Republic of Guinea)


Mr. Ahmad Sokorto, President of the Republic of Guinea,


late Ayatullah Madani and six other Martyrs at the hands of the mercenaries

of the world-devouring America while performing the ritual of Friday prayer.

I appreciate your sympathy and kindness. These heinous crimes clearly

reveal the real image of the great Satan and anti-Islamic mercenaries to the

whole Islamic world so that they are no longer taken in by the poisonous and

mendacious propaganda and try to free themselves from the domination of

this bloodthirsty demon as soon as possible. I beseech God to grant glory to

Islam and Muslims and to destroy the infidels and enemies of Islam.





203

Message



Subject: A look into the causes and dimensions of the imposed war, Saddams

crimes with the protection of big powers

Addressee: Iranian nation, Muslims and liberal people of the world1


One year has passed since the Takriti-American Saddam waged a war

against Islam. One year has elapsed since the aggression of the infidel Iraqi

Baathists on the Islamic land and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Now, on the

threshold of the ―Defense Week‖ different dimensions of the war, its

motivations, consequences and the criminals hands coming out of the sleeves

of the Iraqi infidel Baath Party and the Aflaqite Saddam should be fully

investigated so that the sweet and bitter results obtained in the battle between

right and wrong and between Islam and disbelief will be highlighted. In this

week, writers, speakers, combatants and artists throw light on different

aspects of this historic event. What has so far been clear from motivation of

the Saddam and the Iraqi Baath Party is that the criminal superpowers,

especially America, have arrived at this conclusion that the Islamic

Revolution of the Iranian nation is essentially different from all the other

non-divine revolutions in history, and that they found the secret of its

amazing victory to lie in the genuine Islam. They have also felt that the key

to unity of expression among all strata of the nation and their uprising is in

the great Islam. The prospect of exporting the revolution and the light of

Truth to not only the Islamic country, but also the whole world of oppressed

people has panicked them and they have come to realize that it can serve

their criminal hands from not only the Islamic countries but also all the

downtrodden countries all over the world. Their devilish experts rang the

death-knel of their empire. Hence, with the acceleration of the pace of the

revolution, their conspiracies to bring about the fall of Islam, this divine

mystery of removing the rule of tyrants and plunderers, mounted. Among

the regional governments they found no one being as resolute to undermine

Islam as the Baath Party of Iraq and Saddam. He was tempted by easy

1 The text of message of Imam Khomeini was read out by Sayyid Ahmad Khomeini in a grand

congregation of Friday prayer at Tehran University.


204

victory over Islamic Iran, using foolish excuses. Thank God, contrary to their

wish, his ugly nature was revealed to other Muslims as it had become clear to

the Muslims of Iraq, with his disbelief having been proven, as pronounced by

the jurist of the time. Now, after one year of indulgement in mischief, crime,

enormous losses and wasting great human and material forces from both the

oppressed nations of Iraq and Iran, and despite resorting to big powers and

regional rulers, he has embarked on a brutal massacre of the Iraqi nation and

army, is taking revenge on those who refused to succumb to his atheistic

ambitions, and is living and object hopeless life.

He and his friends are motivated by the desire to undermine Islam in

favor of the superpowers while the motive of the Islamic nation and the

armed forces of Iran is to defend Islam and the glorious Quran in favor of

Islamic nations and oppressed people of the world. The wicked Iraqi Baath

Party, with its diabolical motivation is rolling towards the precipice of the

bottomless pit. However, the Iranian nation, army, the revolutionary guards,

the Basij, and the other armed forces are climbing up the peak of happiness

by seeking either victory or martyrdom and meeting God. What is there to

bring grief to a nation which is moving towards God or realizing Islamic

objectives and reflecting it in the world? Our people who have taken the

Messenger (s) and his household as their rose models are not worried if the

war perpetuates for many years as they are ready to proudly continue with

this sacred struggle in the cause of Islam for a lifetime. And we are

determined to turn to Israel, the enemy of humanity, after we have disposed

of Saddam, the enemy of Islam. What is regrettable in this imposed war is

that the enemies which should have been devoted to eliminate Israel and save

Jerusalem are wasted for attacking those who are the archenemy of Israel and

America, in a conspiracy between the great Satan, the international Zionism

and the Iraqi Baath Party.

Let me reiterate that as long as Islamic nations and the oppressed peoples

of the world fail to rise up against the arrogant powers and their children,

especially the occupying Israel, their criminal hands would not be cut off

from Islamic countries, nor this cancerous tumor would be driven out of

Jerusalem and Lebanon. The like of Saddam and Sadat will carry on with

their crimes and ruin Egypt and Iraq. The way to eliminate these oppressors

is to resort to Islam and adopt a committed approach to the Quran and rise

up under the banner of unity and harmony.

Oh, Muslims and the oppressed people of the world! Divine religious,

chief among them being Islam, have been set up for your development,

perfection and happiness in this world and for elimination of oppression and


205

plundering of the oppressed people, for education of man and securing

freedom and independence of your countries.

Today, organizations such as the human rights organization work for the

oppressive superpowers, while divinely establishments, chief among them

Islam, struggle in favor of the oppressed and against the arrogant powers and

have rejected colonialists and imperialists throughout the course of history.

For this reason the arrogant powers, the invaders and the power wielders

have been at war with them. You see that from the outset when the Islamic

Republic of Iran rose up with the slogan of ―neither East nor West‖ for

independence, freedom and the Islamic Republic and emerged victorious, all

the corrupt, devious and infidel powers stood up against it. They worked

sabotage and carried out mischief through their hypocritical and infidel

agents inside and outside country. All propaganda operations were directed

against the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the hypocritical organizations

leveled accusations and libels against the Islamic Republic and endless

propaganda and military help were provided for Iraqi regime to stifle Islam.

It is incumbent upon the honorable and combatant nation of Iran to stand

against all the plots and mischiefs and as they cut off the hands of the

superpowers and their scum from Iran by their uprising, they should not fear

any power and evil act in order to carry on with their Islamic Revolution and

establish divine justice. It is incumbent upon the army, the revolutionary

guards, the Basij and other armed and popular forces in the frontlines and

behind the frontlines to drive out the agents from their Islamic country like a

raging flood and purge the dear Iran from these mean fellows, knowing that

the forces of faith are victorious. It is incumbent upon the heroic nation to

render unsparing support to the disciplinary forces and the revolutionary

guards, to arrest these bankrupt grouplets engaged in evildoing in the streets

and to turn them in to the competent courts. It is incumbent upon the

revolutionary courts to deal with them according to divine command,

implement the rule of the Quran so as to end the sedition and refrain from

overstepping the Shariah and going into extreme.

I call on the beloved nation, especially those in charge and the armed

forces, to be aware lest other activities may cause them to overlook the

affairs of the imposed war. Place the war as a top priority because

treacherous hands are at work to dissuade you from continuing the struggle. I

stress that the innocent war refugees should not lose their patience and be

sure that the losses of this war will be compensated by the will of God, the

nation and the government. I request the nation and the government to do

their best to meet the needs of the war refugees. They are your sisters,


206

brothers and children who have been displaced from their families at the

hands of the agents of America. I humbly implore God to provide the nation

with unseen help and to curb the hands of the enemies of Islam from the

Islamic country and to grant ultimate victory to the Islamic country on all

fronts.




207

Message




Bahonar

Addressee: Ali Abdullah Salih (President of North Yemen)


Mr. Ali Abdullah Salih, President of North Yemen,


beloved president and the prime minister of our country. I appreciate your

sympathy and kindness. These heinous crimes which are committed by the

agents of the superpowers reveal the true image of the great Satan, help spare

us the need to respond to the accusations leveled against us which have gone

so far as to brazenly accuse us of buying weapons from and having ties with

the occupying Israel and uncover the dirty, anti-Islamic nature of America to

Muslims all over the world so that they are not taken in by the propaganda of

the enemy.





208

Message



Subject: Effects and consequences of independent versus dependent culture

Occasion: Beginning of academic year

Addressees: High school and university students, the youth, teachers and professors


On the threshold of the inauguration of schools when the dear students

are entering the atmosphere of learning and knowledge, it is necessary to

remind the dear children and parents and the great nation of Iran of some

points.

Undoubtedly, the most overriding element playing fundamental role in

every society is its culture. Basically, the identity and existence of any

society is made up of its culture. With deviation of the culture, no matter how

strong the society is in political economic, industrial and military aspects, it

will become empty and hollow. If culture of a society is dependent and

nurtured by alien culture, inevitably other aspects of that society will move in

that direction and will eventually assimilate in that culture. It will lose its

entity in every respect. The independence and entity of every society hinges

on cultural independence. It is simplistic to think that when there is cultural

dependence, independence in other aspects can be possible. It is not by

chance that the main aim of the colonialists is to invade the culture of the

subjects. It is not accidental that all the educational centers of countries

including Iran ranging from elementary schools to the universities were

invaded by the colonialists, especially Westerners and, lately by Americans

and the Soviet Union. The tongue and the pen of the westoxicated and East-

oriented people and professors have consciously or unconsciously rendered a

great service to the East and West since the establishment of universities,

especially over the last few decades. Although among the professors and

writers there were some who were aware and committed and who were

against this path, unfortunately they were noticeably in minority.

The rush of Iranian students towards the West or occasionally the East

after finishing their Western and Eastern oriented studies at schools or

universities, which have no fruits except Western and Eastern cultures, was

so destructive that unconditionally made all aspects of our social life

dependent on the superpowers, to the extent that our society was Islamic-


209

Iranian on the surface but brimmed with Western and Eastern cultures.

Unfortunately, though three years have elapsed since the victory of the

Islamic revolution and since the resistance of the Islamic Republic against

the East and West and their perverted schools of thought and the loyalty of

the Islamic Republic to Islam as a negation of all dependence and perversion,

we are troubled by the dependence of groups on either of the two poles and

the allegiance of perverted schools of thought and their dependence on either

of them. We are also up against those perverted ones who have infiltrated

educational centers and by giving them leeway, we were at risk of leading

astray the youth. God forbid, when our children go astray and feel inclined to

the Western to Eastern countries, all aspects of the society will become

dependent on either the West or East, and all efforts of the nation and the

blood of the dear youth will go to waste.

It still incumbent upon the dear students and committed teachers and

professors to do their utmost to identify the corrupting factors and purge the

educational and training atmosphere from their contaminating effects. It

should not be thought that this infiltration is just to lead astray the

universities, because the perverts and the hypocrites give more importance to

influencing high schools and even elementary schools so that they prepare

corrupt youths at the universities. They know that if the youth are educated in

the right way at the educational centers and they sense the plots and tricks of

the colonialist in all their aspects, the agents of the colonialist will have less

success at the universities; therefore, they give especial prominence to

elementary and high schools so that they gear the youths to Western and

Eastern colonial system before they go to universities. For this reason, the

educational apparatuses should be committed to and care about saving the

country by giving importance to preserving our dear youths because the

future of independence and freedom of the country hinges on proper

education. For this reason, teachers and professors have the most important

role in educating and refining the students. You have all seen how their

tendency to East and West brought about tragedies for our country and

turned universities into strongholds for serving the East and West. The

overwhelming majority of the Western-minded and Eastern-minded

graduates of this country changed the society. It is incumbent upon

committed and responsible teachers at elementary and high schools to do

their best to make the youths change the universities by informing them of

the past corruption in universities and make them incline towards the rich

and independent Islamic-Iranian culture. With the reopening of the

universities, it is incumbent upon the committed professors to enlighten the


210

students on the plots and evil acts of the superpowers whenever they see that

youths tend to go for one of the wicked poles. It is incumbent upon those

youths who are committed to the interests of the country and are aware of the

Islamic objectives, to change the society and be sure that with this service,

the complete independence and freedom of their beloved country will be

ensured. For this reason, the role of the mothers of kids and the fathers of the

young ones is extremely important; if the children are in the lap of committed

mothers and under the protection of committed fathers who ensure that their

children are raised in the right way, the job of the teachers will be easier.

Basically, upbringing starts from the lap of the pure mother and guidance of

the father. With the right Islamic upbringing they will lay the ground for

safeguarding the independence and freedom of the country and make them

committed to the interests of the country.

Today, fathers and mothers should be careful about the behavior of their

children and in case they see any unusual activity they advise them so as not

to let them fall victim to the trick of the hypocrite and perverts who will ruin

their happiness in this and the next world. Mothers and fathers should be

careful that at schools and at universities their children are full of excitement

and emotion and with few slogans they will be drawn to pervert groups. Also

the youths at high school should be completely aware not to fall into the trap

of the agents of the superpowers, even in the name of real Islam. They should

be careful that those who talk about true Islam know nothing about Islam, the

Islamic rules, the commands and prohibitions of the glorious Quran and the

great Islam.

Dear youth at high schools and universities should beware that the

groups who, in the name of Islam attempt to undermine its foundations and

throw the youth into the trap, know nothing about Islam, its objectives and

laws. They cannot be Islamologists just by reciting a few verses from the

Quran and some sentences from Nahj al-Balaghah and some erroneous

interpretations. By misinterpreting a few sentences, they deny the explicit

verses and statements which run counter to what they want. In reality, their

adherence to Islam and Nahj al-Balaghah aims to crush Islam and the Quran

so that they pave the way for their Eastern and Western leaders and mobilize

your dear youths who are the assets of the country against the interests of

your country.

Oh, dear youth! Beware and rationally look into the activities of the

hypocrites who are the mouthpiece of the West and the perverts who are the

mouthpiece of the East. Today, the biggest proof of their being on the wrong

is the solidarity of all the forces against the revolution and the efforts of those


211

who are against the Islamic Republic which represents the wish of the nation

and which was realized by the sacrifices of the combatant and honorable

nation that has scarified its dear children to realize it. Those who claim to be

Islamists and against the West and America are now in the lap of the West.

Their adherence to the West has been proved. 1

Their claim that they are

followers of the nation was no more than hot air. In reality, they killed the

oppressed people and set fire to the nations money by braking into banks.

Since the beginning up to now, they have used Islam as an instrument for

their evil purposes; they have tampered with the Quran and Nahj al-

Balaghah and thrown innocent youth into their traps so that they ruin their

lives serving the colonialists. I emphasize that mothers and fathers of these

innocent and naive youth do their best to save their youth from perishing in

both this and the next world. The committed and combatant nation should be

aware that they support the youth and children who are the assets and

valuable resources of the country, and save them from the evil of these

American perverts. Tomorrow—God willing—elementary and high schools

will reopen. And God willing, very soon we will see the reopening of the

universities. The pupils should know that listening to the evil intentions of

the perverted hypocrite will deprive them of school. No one will be allowed

to disrupt the schools. I beseech God to make the youth wakeful and mindful

and help them develop their morality and knowledge.



1 It refers to the escape of the ousted president (Abul-Hasan Bani-Sadr) and the heads of the

hypocritical terrorist organization their refuge in the European countries and their protection of

them along with other opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran.


212

Letter

Date: September 23, 1981 [Mehr 1, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 24, 1401 AH]




Hadrat Ayatullah Aqa Haj Sayyid Abdullah Shirazi—may his blessings last,

I received the letter which conveyed your good health and was informed

of its content. As regards the subject you have pointed out, while confirming

your case, I have recommended time and again and, God willing, from now

on I will remind others of it at the right time. It is hoped that your Excellency

will be diligent and successful in propagating the holy law, rectifying the

affairs of Muslims and the theological seminaries and remember me in your

prayers.





213

Message



Subject: On the threshold of the presidential elections

Addressee: The Iranian nation


The committed and combatant nation of Iran,

The Islamic republic is the product of your great struggles, and unstinting

sacrifices of you, your children and the great martyrs. You were the ones

who saved your beloved country from the captivity of the kings and the

regime of the monarchy and their bloodthirsty executioners, with the power

of your belief and your commitment to Islam. You were like the committed

warriors of the early Islam and with this great revolution you freed your

country from the domination of the superpowers and especially the

treacherous America. You revived and revitalized the great Islam which had

fallen victim to the corruption of the perverts and hypocrites and whose

progressive rules were changed into selfish and ignorant rules and in the

name of the true Islam, the true laws of Islam stipulated in the glorious

Quran and been forgotten and you stood up against an all-out propaganda

and military attack and in this two to three years you have traversed a one

hundred-year-long path and you have disposed of all the obstacles and put to

reality the Islamic Republic with all its institutions and thus you have given a

new lease of life to your country and culture.

Now, you the dear ones must safeguard this precious investment and this

divine trust which has been materialized by the blood of the saints of God

and the great holy fighters of Islam and your beloved children, and with all

the power of women, men, children, adults you must be diligent in preserving

and safeguarding it with incessant and valiant struggles, and you must not let

the extensive propaganda of the defeated which in itself is a sign of the glory

of the Islamic Revolution and fear of the power-seeking invaders, shake your

resolution and must march ahead with the same zeal and commitment and be

sure that in the world you are victorious and you will be highly esteemed by

God and respected by Islam and the great saints.


214

Now, after losing a highly esteemed soldier and a committed president of

the republic Martyr Rajai1

—may Gods mercy be upon him—we will go to the

ballot boxes, it is imperative that the beloved nation keep its maturity,

integrity and stability before God and the owner of Islam and before the

world and before the bewildered enemies and those who wish the worst for

Islam and who have leveled various accusations against you and call into

question your loyalty and commitment to the Islamic Republic, and show

more enthusiasm and unity with respect to this matter because preserving the

image of the Islamic Republic and the image of the honorable nation hinges

on it; so flock to the ballot boxes like rippling waves and give your vote to

the person who is committed to Islam, who serves the nation and the country,

who protects the poor, who has insight into the affairs of the world and

religion, is devoid of any inclinations to the East and West and the perverted

schools of thought, and has political insight. Today participating in the

presidential election is not only a social and national duty, but also a

religious, divine Islamic one. Failure is this duty leads to failure of the

Islamic Republic, whose preservation is obligatory for all people, and

dissuading people is one of the acts of the devil.

Brothers and sisters, deal with issues with great awareness and with

political Islamic insight and avoid the inveiglement of the perverted

elements, enemies of Islam and political dependents of foreigners because

they want to undermine the foundations of the Islamic Republic by every

means, and in getting what they want, they will take advantage of every

opportunity and will not let you take part in this vital issue on which your

character and country depends.

I request the great clerics, Friday and congregational prayer leader and

committed speakers all over the country to familiarize the people with the

importance of this vital issue, which is a matter of self-determination, and to

guide them in their religious duty. I request writers, speakers, intellectuals,

respected professors, teachers and scientists of the country whatever their

leaning and affiliations might be, to pay attention to this very important point

that if the Islamic Republic, which is the product of the suffering of

oppressed masses, is defeated, God forbid, they should not think that in its

place a more committed, more sympathetic, more nationalist and more

Islamic system will come, and they should know for sure that a regime which

is completely Western or American or Eastern communist will take its place

1 Martyr Muhammad-Ali Rajai (the second president of the republic) was martyred on 8th of

Shahrivar 1360 by bomb explosion, in his workplace along with the Prime Minister,

Muhammad-Jawad Bahonar. The bomb had been planted by a hypocritical terrorist.


215

with the help of one of the superpowers, which even may look Islamic and

nationalist. In such a situation, any act of sabotage or even apathy will bring

the country closer to two poles of the superpowers and will render the blood

of the youths and the great efforts of the nation useless. I want the Islamic

associations all over the country and wherever they are to acquaint whoever

they are in touch with, with the significance of the matter. I hope God will

grant success to the Islamic nation to make more efforts in furthering the

objectives of Islam, and to grant success to all.




216

Decree



Subject: Delegating eligibility approval of judges volunteering to join the Supreme

Judicial Council

Occasion: Complementary election of the Supreme Judicial Council

Addressee: Husayn-Ali Muntaziri

[In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Your Highness Imam Khomeini—may your presence last,

In the wake of the martyrdom of two members of the Supreme Judicial

Council and the need to hold election to complete the above-mentioned

council, and in accordance with article three of the Constitution concerning

the election of the three judges for the membership of the Supreme Judicial

Council, enclosed herewith are the names of the volunteering judges or those

introduced by others, to be studied with respect to their eligibility in terms of

fulfilling the condition for justice and jitihad.

The Board Supervising the Complementary Election of the Supreme Judicial

Council:

Muhammad-Ali Saduqi, Representative of the Imam; Jahangir Hasan-

Khani, Chief Justice; Husayn Mehr-Pur Muhammad-Abadi, Representative

of the Supreme Judicial Council]


Your Excellency Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Aqa Haj Shaykh Husayn-Ali

Muntaziri—may your graces last,

About the eligibility of the individuals who have been proposed for the

membership of the Supreme Judicial Council, do whatever you see fit.



217

Permission Date: September 26, 1981 [Mehr 4, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 27, 1401 AH]


Subject: Permission in financial and religious affairs

Addressee: Sayyid Husayn Musawi Sarhaddi


Praise be to God, the lord of the worlds and peace and salutations be upon

Muhammad and his pure progeny, and Gods curse be upon all his enemies.

His Excellency Thiqqat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Aqa Sayyid Husayn

Musawi Sarhaddi—may his successes last—who devoted part of his life to

studying religious disciplines is permitted on my behalf to take charge of

financial matters, collect religious funds and spend sadats share in his own

locality. He is also permitted to spend half of the blessed share of Imam—

peace be upon him—as prescribed and for propagating the sacred Sharia and

send the other two-thirds to me to be spent in the theological seminaries—

may God protect them.

―I advise him—may God assist him—to what our pious predecessors have to

abide by piety and to refrain from the carnal desires‖. May Gods peace be

upon him and our faithful brethren.




218

Letter



Subject: Lifting the siege of Abadan and Imams appreciation of the combatants

Addressee: Waliyullah Fallahi, Qasim Zahir-Nezhad, Muhsin Ridai (commanders of

the army and Sepah)


General Fallahi, General Zahir Nezhad, and Mr. Muhsin Ridai—may God

assist you,

I got your telegraph of the great victory of completely lifting the siege of

Abadan1

God conferred upon the air force, the revolutionary guards, the

mobilized forces, gendarmeries, Islamic devotees and other popular forces. I

congratulate this great victory to the commanders of all the armed forces, to

the great soldiers and to the powerful revolutionary guards. It is hoped that

these victories conferred upon Islam and the country fulfill the blessed aim of

the savior. I wish the honorable nation will soon witness the ultimate victory

when the infidel and aggressor forces are driven out of the territories of our

1 Below is the text of the commander of Sepah:

“In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

His holiness Imam Khomeini, the Great Leader of the Revolution and the Founder of the

Islamic Republic of Iran and the Commander in chief of armed forces,

In carrying out the command of the Imam of the nation, the siege of Abadan was lifted

and the aggressor forces in the East of Karun were defeated based on the plan proposed by the

infantry and the revolutionary guards in the Supreme Defense Council discussed in the

presence of your Eminence and approved, at the dawn of fifth of Mehr the north of Abadan

and the East of Karun River were restored and the siege of Abadan was completely lifted. The

victory was secured by the participation of the reinforcement from Khorasan army division 77,

the revolutionary guard, the air force, gendarmerie, the Islamic devotees and other popular

forces. In a few hours and with a deft maneuver, the aggressor Iraqi enemy forces were taken

captive, injured and forced to retreat back. The army of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the

revolutionary guards see this victory as resulting from God and the guidelines of the Imam of

the nation and congratulate this victory to the Imam of the nation and the Iranian nation.

The deputy chief of staff of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, General Fallahi;

the commander of the infantry of the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, General Qasim-Ali

Zahir-Nezhad; commander of the revolutionary guards of the Islamic revolution, Muhsin

Ridai.


219

country. On behalf of the great nation of Iran I would like to express my

appreciation to the brave army, the revolutionary guards and the other armed

forces—may God assist them. I beseech God to grant victory and glory to

Islam and Muslims, especially to the Islamic armed forces.




220

Letter


1


Subject: Reply to a message of congratulation on lifting the siege of Abadan by the

combatants of Islam



Hadrat Ayatullah Aqa Shirazi—may your graces last,

I appreciate your Excellencys telegraph of congratulation on the

significant victories of the armed forces. It is hoped that with especial

considerations of the Imam of the Time (may our souls be sacrificed to him)

and with the prayers of your Excellency and other great clerics under the

shining dome of the eighth Imam, (Gods peace be upon him) God will grant

ultimate victories to the armed forces and the combatant nation and defeat

the enemies of Islam both inside and outside. Pray to God to guide or

annihilate the deviants who consciously or unconsciously deal blows to Islam

by serving the two poles. Let us pray to God to wake up the youths who have

fallen into the trap and ruin themselves and their compatriots in vain just to

serve the purposes of the fraudulent people, and bring them back to the lap of

the nation. I hope your Excellency will remember us in your prayers.



Dhul-Qadah 29, 1401 AH / Mehr 6, 1360 AHS

1 In hifeh-ye Nur volume 15, p.166, the date has been given as 7/7/1360 AHS and the date

of the handwirtted manuscript, given as 6/7/ 1360, is correct.


221

Speech

Date/Time: Before noon, September 29, 1981 [Mehr 7, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Qadah 30,

1401 AH]


Subject: Solidarity of people following assassination of officials; greater attention to

agriculture; participation in election

Occasion: Martyrdom of Imam Jawad (a); martyrdom of Mr. Hashemi Nezhad

Audience: Different strata of people, representatives of the Islamic rural councils

from all over the country

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Verily, to God we belong and to Him we shall return

Blood of the martyrs revives Islam

On the day of the martyrdom of Imam Jawad—may Gods peace be upon

him—one of the children and descendants of that family was martyred.

Martyr Hashemi Nezhad 1

whom I closely knew and whose characteristics

and commitment I had seen, was a man of virtue and struggle as being

acknowledged by those knowing him.

Today, on the martyrdom day of the righteous predecessor, we lost this

upright and committed descendant. I do not know what the motive of these

weak and ignorant grouplets and agents of the big powers, especially

America, is and what they want. They want to mislead the 36 million

Iranians and millions of Muslims and oppressed people of the world, who

back this republic, from the path of Islam by assassinating some officials.

They do not understand that these great masses of people who are standing

across the country like solid mountains against the big powers, will not

succumb to lethargy and apathy by assassination of figures, however great

and valued. On the contrary, they become more harmonious. They want to

deal a blow to Islam by killing the offsprings of the prophet and cause the

Imam of the Time (may Gods peace be upon him) and believers go into

mourning. Islam has offered such martyrs and even most sublime ones in its

cause. Islam has sacrificed people like the honorable prophet and

Commander of the Faithful (may Gods peace be upon him), the Infallible

1 Sayyid Abdul-Karim Hashemi Nezhad, one of the pioneer clerics in the revolution and

secretary of the Islamic Republic Party in Khorasan, achieved martyrdom at the hands of one

of the hypocrites.


222

Imams and prominent ulama throughout the course of history for this

cause. There is no fear of losing these children of Islam for whom and the

nation martyrdom is a source of pride. If measure is the goal and if measure

is Islam and implementing the rules of the Quran, this goal is in place and

each one of them who achieve martyrdom, it is useful for the goal, however

unpleasant for us.

This goal which has been proceeding since the time of Adam to the

present day has been favored by God, prophets and the saints of God. All of

the prophets and saints have sacrificed for this goal and offer the lives of

themselves and their children for this goal, which will not be lost by the

inequities committed by corrupt groups. The combatant and honorable nation

of Iran has been prepared to sacrifice everything for God. So, if they aim at

destroying Islam, Islam will be revived by the blood of the martyrs. If their

aim is to undermine the Islamic Republic, the Islamic Republic will be

watered by this blood. If their aim is to serve America and the Soviet Union

and their like, they should beg these powers for reward. God Almighty will

shower His curse upon them and the nation will solicit eternal damnation for

them.

While we grieve the martyrdom of such a brave, virtuous, and combatant

scholar, losing such figures contributes to Islam, imprecates the opponents of

Islam, and indicates their weakness. They want to serve the big powers at the

time when they have been defeated as has the parasitic Saddam who will

soon taste the final blow. By killing one of the children of the prophet, they

want to protect Saddam against defeat. This is an illusion. Saddam has

already been defeated; he is bereft of any prestige and honor; even if he had,

he has lost it. They want to demoralize people in the presidential elections.

Do they think that by killing one person, no matter how great and committed

one might be, our people will discouraged from helping the Islamic Republic

and going the ballot boxes? This is also an illusion. Our nation considers it a

divine duty to go to the ballot boxes in great numbers on Friday and cast their

vote to a committed person. They want to weaken our peoples morale by

killing one person, ten persons, one hundred persons or even one thousand

persons. This is wishful thinking. They want to take revenge on the

Messenger of God by martyring his children. They want to take revenge on

the Messenger for having brought such a religion which is incompatible with

their wishes. They do not want this religion to be put into practice in this

country in the way desired by God and his Messenger. They want to take

revenge on the originator of this religion by martyring his children. This

vengeance is a disgrace to them, and causes no weakness in our nation.


223

I express my condolence as well as congratulation to the entire Iranian

nation including the ulama and religious reference authorities, and

especially the respected people and great ulama of Khorasan for offering

such committed, knowledgeable ulama to further the cause of Islam and

promote its commands.

Farming, the Prophets profession

I would like to touch on another important point about the councils

functioning all over the country including the farmers councils. Farming in

Islam is among very important professions, about which it has been said that

farmers are the best people and that they are the closest people to God

Almighty. Farmers in the next world will probably stand in the first row in

the line of righteous people. Farming has been among professions in which

all the prophets were engaged. Prophets earned their livelihood through

farming. From the political perspective, if we work in a proper manner so as

not to be reliant on foreigners for our foodstuffs, it amounts to struggle in the

cause of God. As our great combatants are a source of pride in the warfronts,

our formers are also like combatants behind the frontlines who try to cut

dependence on other countries.

Figures indicate that, this year agriculture has been better than the

previous year and the level of harvest has been higher. I hope that farmers

will appreciate their own value. Every country needs agriculture that

provides the countrys foodstuffs more than anything else. You farmers are

more valued than any other strata all over the country, because you meet the

nations need for sustenance which is of the highest needs. God willing, you

will obtain self-sufficiency in such a way that we will not only be needless of

any country, but we can also export this fruit of the farmers labor to other

countries.

Importance of presidential election

Another point is the election which I have already talked about and

which I would like to reiterate. The entire nation should be aware that all this

mischief in the country are meant to scare the voters away and weaken your

resolve to serve Islam and Muslims. We should all be aware that this is a

vital matter for the Islamic Republic. You see that in the previous election,

14 million people took part of whom 13 million cast their votes for Martyr

Rajai, yet those corrupt and bankrupt ones abroad had told in interviews that

no more than two million votes had been cast. If your votes will be less than

those in former elections the propaganda machinery run by the bankrupt


224

fugitives will make a noise that Iran has turned his back to Islam and the

Islamic Republic. They will have such propaganda everywhere, and it may

help undermine the foundations of the Islamic Republic in the world. It is our

duty not to let this revolution slacken so that it can achieve that final victory,

and Islam and rules of the Quran are put into practice in this country in

every sense.

One should be very sorry about these assassination and mischiefs

occurred two days ago in Tehran. Unfortunately, young adults were lured to

take to the streets to make mischief. One should feel sorry that our youth

have been deceived in this way, that they take to the streets and set fire to

public properties such as public buses, which belong to the oppressed people

or set fire to something, which is for the deprived people. Do not these

people who claim to be struggling for people and the oppressed masses think

that what they have targeted belongs to the innocent people? They are in fact

setting fire to things that belong to the oppressed people, the disabled and

war-afflicted people.

Do not fear these bankrupt ones, who are breathing their last. The

honorable nation of Iran has stood up against them powerfully. Likewise, the

armed forces, the revolutionary guards, the Basij and the other armed forces

that are from the people have stood up against the infidels and well as against

those who are like or serve the infidels. Our revolutionary guards and our

police forces will work hard to arrest them and bring them to the court to be

punished.

God willing, you will soon witness that there will be no trace of these

scums nor of the big powers in our country. We and you are prepared to

render ineffective all these plots and, God willing, implement Islam in this

country as it is. Muslims of the world will also implement Islam in their

countries. The world will be the world of Islam, and oppression and tyranny

will come to an end in the world. This will be a prelude to reappearance of

the Imam of the Time (may our souls be sacrificed for him).

I beseech God to grant victory and success to the entire nation and the

armed forces. I hope they will drive out these parasites and the duped ones

from the country with all their power and might and thus strengthen Islam. I

express my appreciation to the nation for standing with all the might and for

making sacrifices behind the fronts. I hope God will grant happiness, health,

dignity and resistance to all of them.



225

Message

Date: September 30, 1981 [Mehr 8, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 1, 1401 AH]


Occasion: Martyrdom of a number of combatants and military commanders

(martyrs: Fallahi, Namju, Fakuri and Kolahduz) in an air crash



Verily, to God we belong and to Him we shall return

With utter grief and sorrow, we received the heartrending news of the

crash of an air force aircraft carrying martyrs and injured combatants of the

recent war, which resulted in martyrdom of a group of servants of Islam and

the martyr-nourishing nation of Iran, among who were brigadier generals

Waliyullah Fallahi, Namju, brigadier general Fakuri and Mr. Kolahduz1

.

They were brave and committed servants who rendered great services to the

country during and after the revolution and achieved martyrdom proudly and

bravely on duty.

We hope that after securing the honorable victory for the nation and after

making arduous efforts in the cause of faith they will proudly rest in piece in

the proximity of God Almighty. There is no doubt that everybody must take

this road toward the Truth and destiny. What happiness is greater than the

one achieved during struggle against the enemies of Islam and when serving

the Truth and people and struggling for the cause and honor. How happy

were these martyrs who fulfilled their duty towards Islam and the honorable

nation of Iran and earned the status of mujahidin and martyrs of Islam. It is

the duty of the Iranian nation, particularly the armed forces, to keep the

memory alive through bravery, diligence and determination and continue

with Jihad as they did. They should secure victory in the front and behind the

front and march ahead, and break the resolution the blind-hearted enemies

who fancy with diabolic promises after martyrdom of one of our combatants.

They must make it clear to the enemies that whoever engages in Jihad for the

1 At 19:00 on the seventh of Mehr, 1360 a C-130 aircraft belonging to the army of the Islamic

Republic of Iran returning from battlefields to Tehran crashed in the southern outskirts of

Tehran (Kahrizak) for unknown reasons resulting in the martyrdom of military commanders

Messrs. Waliyullah Fallahi, Musa Namju, Jawad Fakuri, Yusif Kolahduz and Muhammad

Jahan.


226

sake of their belief, cause and their beloved country, will not give in to

weakness and fear on account of martyrdom of these dear ones. The young

and brave combatants of the army, the revolutionary guards and the other

armed forces are the followers of the Immortal Martyr1

. History has it that

whenever one of his companions obtained martyrdom, his blessed face

glowed and he became more courageous and determined. They remind us of

the brave men of the early days of Islam who picked up the flag of Islam

fallen from the hands of any one of the commanders and carried on with the

battle for the cause. Even though we lost beloved and esteemed ones, we will

keep on fighting for the cause with our remaining strength. The children of

Islam will defend their beloved country with an iron will, bringing ever

greater pride for themselves and their country so that the blind-hearted

hypocrites taking refuge in the lap of the West would know the brave nation

of Iran and its armed forces are alive and that there is no room for the West,

the East pro-Western or pro-Eastern in this country. I would like to extend

my condolences and congratulations to the Iranian nation, the revolutionary

guards, the army and all the armed forces with their courageous commanders

and the honorable families of the martyrs on this sad loss. Compatriots,

armed forces and the dear families of the martyrs should take pride in them

and their martyrdom for the aim and cause of Islam. I pray to the Exalted

God to grant mercy to them and happiness and patience to the nation and the

dear families of the martyrs.



1 Imam Husayn (a).


227

Decree

Date: October 1, 1981 [Mehr 9, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1401 AH]


Subject: Appointment of Joint Chief of Staff

Addressee: Qasim-Ali Zahir-Nejad


Brigadier General Qasim-Ali Zahir-Nejad, may God Almighty assist you,

In view of the latest great victory obtained due to prudent planning and

considering your appreciable services in the ground forces, I appoint you as

joint chief of staff of the Islamic Republic of Irans Army. I pray to God to

grant you success in furthering the holy cause of Islam.


Mehr 9, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 2, 1401 AH


228

Decree



Subject: Appointing of commander of the army (ground forces)

Addressee: Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council)

[Honorable Commander in chief of the armed forces, Imam Khomeini—may

your sublime presence endure,

In view of the appointment of Brigadier General Zahir Najad as the joint

chief of staff of Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and as per the

endorsement of the Supreme Defense Council in its extraordinary session of

Mehr 9, 1360 AHS and on the basis of clause (d) of article 110 of the

Constitution, Colonel Ali Sayyid Shirazi, commander of the northwest

operations is hereby proposed as commander of the ground forces of Islamic

Republic of Irans Army.

Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council, Akbar Hashemi

Rafsanjani—Mehr 9, 1360 AHS]


I agree with this.1


Mehr 9, 1360 AHS

1 In accordance with the authorities and duties of the leader, as stated in the Constitution of the

Islamic Republic of Iran in article 110.


229

Telegraph Date: October 2, 1981 [Mehr 10, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 3, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to telegraph of condolence on the martyrdom of military

commanders in the aircraft crash.

Occasion: Martyrdom of military commanders: Fallahi, Fakuri, Kolahduz, Namju

and Jahanara

Addressee: Sayyid Muhammad-Rida Golpayegani (of prominent religious reference

authorities)


Ayatullah Golpayegani—may your graces last,

I acknowledge the receipt of your telegraph of condolence on the

martyrdom of the dear soldiers of Islam and the devotees who brought pride

for the honorable nation throughout the revolution, especially during the war

against the enemies of Islam. It is hoped that the care shown by the

prominent maraji and ulama and the honorable nation for the armed forces

and their commanders will hearten all the selfless armed forces. I pray to

God to grant health to your Eminence and mercy and happiness to the

martyrs of the right path, especially these dear soldiers, and implore God to

confer patience on their families.




230

Speech

Date/Time: Morning, October 3, 1981 [Mehr 11, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 4, 1401

AH]


Subject: Independence and freedom hinge on maintaining unity and rapport

Occasion: Crash of the aircraft carrying military commanders

Audience: Members of the Supreme Defense Council and military commanders


Nation and army must back each other

I express my condolence on the martyrdom of the army commanders. I

was extremely aggrieved by this incident. Today, the government and the

army are different from what they used to be in the past. Gentlemen should

consult one another and cooperate to further the aims of Islam. Army

commanders must have rapport among themselves. Today we are afflicted

with war and almost all countries are plotting against our country. You can

not maintain your independence and freedom without rapport. Look how the

nation is supporting you. Look at the election and you will realize that Iran

will always remain stable. Some people abroad might talk balderdash, but the

nation knows the reality. The people are prepared and nothing should happen

to shake them.

The world counts on nations. When governments see that our nation is

prepared for anything and has demonstrated it by fathers sending their sons

to battlefields and mothers reporting on their sons, how can foreign

governments covet our country. Some governments always have a covetous

eye on other countries. They can stage a coup détat or attack when people are

not present but when the nation is prepared, what can they do? In this war

it was made clear that our nation is not neutral. Our nation and the army are

strong and can efficiently protect the country. We and all thinkers must

preserve the harmony of the nation. Today the nation is on the side of the

army and in nowhere else this is the case. The army is fighting in the south

and the north and both old men and women on other side of the country

cooperate with them. No one else can bring about this unity, except God. The

army should attract the people with love. The army and the people must keep

the country safe and despair the big powers. These governments are rid of

their despair when differences emerge among people and between the army


231

and the government. It is the governments and leaders who separate people

from themselves by their deeds.

You must keep your unity so that your country can have independence

and honor. It is better to have barley bread than to live in palaces where you

have to put out your hands to others. Honor dictates it. You saved yourselves

from the previous regime and are fighting for your honor; therefore, stick

together. In Islam, there are no such things as low and high and you who are

fighting for your honor, country and nation, be good to each other. For

instance, the navy should no longer think of itself as separate from the army.

All must be aware that this is one nation, one country and one Islam.

Therefore, in order for the enemy not to do anything, we should stick

together. ―God is on the side of the group.‖1

The day when the Pasdars are

separated from army and army is separated from the Pasdar is a shocking day

and everybody will be shocked. Today all have divided labor and all are

brothers and all are of one thinking. I pray to God to guide us so that all of us

pursue this aim till complete victory is secured. You should know that this

scum will not be permanent and will be eliminated.


1 A saying by the Prophet, authenticated by Tirmidhi, vol. 3, p. 316.


232

Letter Date: October 4, 1981 [Mehr 12, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 5, 1401 AH]


Subject: Approval of the nominees for membership in the Supreme Judicial Council

Addressee: Supervisory board for the election of the Supreme Judicial Councils members


Supervisory board for the election of the Supreme Judicial Councils

members,

The list of candidates for membership in the Supreme Judicial Council,

understanding whose eligibility had been delegated to Hujjat al-Islam Mr.

Muntaziri—May his blessings last, is submitted to the board as approved by

Mr. Muntaziri whom I confirm, in the enclosed letter.


Mehr 12, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah

5, 1401 AH


233

Statements Date/Time: Morning, October 4, 1981 [Mehr 12, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 5, 1401

AH]1


Subject: Importance of understanding in fundamentals of religion

Audience: Representatives of Organization of the Islamic Revolution Mujahidin


Rapport with groups believing in the pillars of the system

If groups have differences, but are of one opinion about the fundamentals

of Islam, no harm will come to them. Conflict is generated by difference in

opinion. You should try to have understanding with groups that are Muslim

and want independence and freedom for the Islamic Republic. You should

get close to the party2

, the revolutionary guards, the armed forces and Basij.

Though each one of you functions independently, act in favor of one another.

You all want independence, freedom and the republic. Like theological

seminary and university, you should elect individuals to set up a council for

understanding. What is important is that the destination should be one, no

matter what different means we use to get to that destination. This is the gist

of everything. If this is not the case, things will lead to conflict.

Care in choosing members

Another important point is choosing the members. You should look into

the background of individuals before and after the revolution, like who his

family members are, what the person was like after revolution. You should

be as careful as possible not to let in who may cause tragic events like those

in party and the Prime Ministers3

office. This is something you should be

careful about. You should not show the slightest negligence. Indeed,

observing such a matter all over the country is problematic, but if you show

dereliction, the work will be more problematic. You should select those

1 In Sahifeh-ye Nur, the date has been given as 11/7/1360 AHS. 2 The Islamic Republic Party. 3 The explosion of the head office of ―the Islamic Republic Party‖ on Tir 7, 1360 together with

the explosion of the building of the Prime Minister on 8 / Shahrivar of the same year resulting

in the martyrdom of 72 people from the companions of the Islamic revolution and also the

martyrdom of Messrs. Muhammad-Ali Rajai and Muhammad-Jawad Bahonar; the President

and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran.


234

whom you know have no corrupt blemishes. If a group acts this way and

works with other groups that have the same end, it will both carry on with its

task till the end and attract the peoples view, that is very important. I hope

you will act this way and do your work for God. When something is done for

God, everything else will follow.

I pray for all the groups that serve Islam and their country. I implore God

to grant us success and victory.


235

Statements Date: October 5, 1981 [Mehr 13, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 6, 1401 AH]


Subject: Necessity to pay attention to deprived areas

Audience: Mayor of Tehran, acting mayor and the deputy mayors


[After hearing the rapport of Mayor of Tehran, the Imam said:]

In view of the fact that a heavy burden of the revolution is on the

shoulders of the oppressed class who are content with small and simple

facilities, it is our duty to concentrate our activities and attention in the

deprived places, especially south of the city which had been left unheeded by

the previous regime.

[While underlining presence and patience of the officials in dealing with

problems, and the importance of observing of religious standards, the Imam

continued:]

Those who enjoy more social facilities and services can fulfill their duty

through paying reasonable taxes and avoiding extravagance.


236

Message



Subject: Reply to the message of condolence on the martyrdom of a group of

commanders and the martyrdom of Mr. Hashemi-Nejad

Addressee: Muammr Qadhdhafi (leader of Libya)


Your Excellency Colonel Muammr Qadhdhafi, leader of the Peoples

Republic of Libya,

Receipt of your message of condolence on the martyrdom of the late

Hujjat al-Islam Sayyid Abdul-Karim Hashemi and the aircraft crash leading

to martyrdom of a number of the brave children of Islam, including the

defense minister is acknowledged and appreciated. Today, when our only

guilt is opposition to America, this criminal is plotting against us from every

side. It employs every means to wipe out the Islamic Republic to the extent

that it attacked the oil fields of Kuwait through Iraq and has accused us of

carrying out this horrible crime. Our revolutionary people expect the

progressive Muslim countries to back it so that we can continue with our

proud life without dependence on the East or West.

I beseech God to grant the highest status to the martyrs and complete

victory to Muslims over the enemies of Islam and the oppressed people,

particularly America and the criminal Israel. I implore God to grant success

to you and to the Muslim and brotherly people of Libya.


Ruhullah al-Musawi al-Khomeini Dhul-Hijjah 7, 1401 AH


237

Message




commanders in the aircraft accident

Audience: Shadhli bin Jadid (President of the Republic of Algeria)


Hadrat Aqa Shadhli bin Jadid, President of the Republic of Algeria,

I acknowledge the receipt of your message of condolence on the aircraft

crash resulting in the martyrdom of several brave children of Islam, including

the defense minister and deputy joint chief of staff of the Islamic Republic of

Irans army with appreciation. In the condition when our only guilt is

opposition to America, this criminal is plotting against us from every side. It

is using every means to wipe out the Islamic Republic to the extent that it

attacked the oil fields of Kuwait through Iraq and has accused us of carrying

out this horrible crime. Our revolutionary people expect the progressive

Muslim countries to back it so that we can continue with our proud life

without dependence on the East or West.

I beseech God to grant the highest status to the martyrs and complete

victory to Muslims over the enemies of Islam and the oppressed peoples,

particularly America and the criminal Israel. I implore God to grant success

to you and to the Muslim and brotherly people of Algeria.



Dhul-Hijjah 8, 1401 AH


238

Message




commanders in the aircraft accident

Addressee: Qadi Abdus-Sattar (Acting President of the Republic of Bangladesh)


Hadrat Qadi Abdus-Sattar, Acting President of the Republic of Bangladesh,

Your message of condolence on the aircraft crash resulting in the

martyrdom of several brave children of Islam including the defense minister

is acknowledged and appreciated. Today, when our only guilt is opposition to

America, this criminal is plotting against us from every side. It is using every

means to wipe out the Islamic Republic to the extent that it attacked the oil

fields of Kuwait through Iraq and has accused us of carrying out this horrible

crime. Our revolutionary people expect the progressive Muslim countries to

back it so that we can live a proud life without dependence on the East or

West.

I implore God to grant the highest status to the martyrs and complete

victory to Muslims over the enemies of Islam and the oppressed people,

particularly America and the criminal Israel. I beseech God to grant success

to you and to the Muslim and brotherly people of Bangladesh.





239

Message



Subject: Need to mobilize the world Muslims to promote Islam

Occasion: Auspicious feast of Qurban (sacrifice)

Addressees: Iranian nation, Muslims of the world


I extend my congratulation to the Iranian nation and the Muslims of the

world on the feast of Qurban which is one of the biggest feasts in Islam

and—the tryst of the great prophets from Ibraham to Muhammad (s)—the

founders of monotheism and justice and the leaders of the right path of

servitude to God. I implore the Exalted God to wake up the Muslims of the

world in order to set up the tradition of the great prophets; mobilize them to

attain the goal of the prophets, who sacrificed their sons and beloved ones for

it so as to hoist the banner of monotheism all over the world and to severe the

hands of the superpowers from the Islamic and oppressed countries. In this

year, this feast is more blessed for all Muslims because on its threshold the

pharaoh of Egypt1

departed in the direction of the pharaohs. It is more

blessed for Iranians because the evil forces of Saddam and the devils

associated with America are on the verge of disintegration and decadence.

I congratulate all Muslims and the dear Iranian nation on their successive

victories and wish you all health and happiness. I hope that with the

appointment of the president of the republic2

and effort of all organizations

the problems of Iran will be resolved.


1 It refers to assassination of Anwar Sadat (President of Egypt) by Khalid Islambuli and and

his fellow Egyptian Muslim fighters. 2 On the day when the above message was issued 17/7/1360 AHS there was a ceremony in the

presence of Imam Khomeini to confirm the presidency of Mr. Sayyad Ali Khamenei, who

had been by the Iranian people in the election held on Mehr 10, 1360, following the

martyrdom of Mr. Rajai.


240

Decree



Subject: Confirming the presidency of Mr. Khamenei1



―Verily do we do not abrogate a verse or forget it unless we bring a better

one or similar one.‖2

The hands of criminals and hypocrites took away a faithful and

responsible president from the combatant Iranian nation, martyred one of the

honest servants, and deprived the Iranian nation of his services to the

impoverished people, thinking that by assassinating people the rising nation

would retreat and show laxity in serving the great Islam, thereby paving the

way for the plundering powers. However, unprecedented participation of

people turned the hope of ill-wishers into despair and put a halt to the

avaricious aspirants for good.

America and the terrorists associated with it always portray the

honorable Iranian nation and the army loyal to Islam as moving away from

their great Islamic goal in their massive propaganda. The Western mass

media apparatus, particularly those of Americas and Israels have built

fantasy castles for the world-devourers and their mercenaries, and are

nurturing the dream of attacking Iran, the cradle of brave men and women,

after failure of the elections and establishing a monarchical or democratic

republic3

regime after obliterating Islam in the country, so as to be able to

1 On the day of auspicious feast of Qurban presidency of the third president of the Islamic

Republic of Iran was confirmed in attended by Imam Khomeini, a large number of high-

ranking officials, ulama, cultural, political and military figures, the public and families of

martyrs. In that ceremony Sayyid Ahmad Khomeini read out the texts of the letters by the

interior minister and the Guardians Council announcing the validity of the result of the

election and then read Imam Khomeinis texts of the decree confirming the election to the

audience. 2 Surah al-Baqarah 2:106. 3 In contrast to Imam Khomeinis theory espousing Islamic Republic as its political system

being approved by the overwhelming majority of Iranian nation in the referendum of

Farvardin 12, 1358 AHS. The leftists and opponents of the Islamic Republic and some

nationalists put forward other adjectives before ―republic‖, which were met with peoples

disregard and opposition.


241

plunder it forever. However, the massive turnout of the brave and committed

people in the election together with the continuous victories of the armed

forces in the south and West and the constant presence of the nation

throughout the country and subduing the domestic traitors and isolating the

nationalists associated with America, ruined their fantasy castles.

The Exalted God favored us by leading the public opinion to elect a

committed and combatant president loyal to the straight path of Islam and

versed in religion and politics. It is hoped that with the help of the three

branches of the government and support of the great nation, problems will be

removed one after the other, and the holy rules of Islam will be implemented

in a satisfactory manner throughout the country.

Following the noble Iranian nation and in view of the status of the

respectable thinker and scholar Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Aqa Sayyid

Ali Khamenei—may God Almighty assist him—I confirm the nations

vote and appoint him as the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 1

The

vote of the Muslim nation and its confirmation will be in effect as long as he

is committed to serve Islam, the oppressed people and adhere to the rule of

the Quran, “They are hard on unbelievers and merciful among themselves”2

as he has been so far, and does not deviate from the straight path of humanity

and Islam. At this critical juncture when ill-wishers inside and outside the

country and the mouthpieces of the superpowers, particularly the criminal

Americas level accusations against the nation, the government, Majlis and

Iranian courts by every possible means, to destabilize the Islamic Republic, it

is necessary that the president runs the affairs in a harmonious and Islamic

way with the help of everyone in the Islamic Republic and with the endeavor

of others so that they can leave no room for ill-wishers. There are many who

may not agree with the Islamic rules, laws and punishment, though.

Mr. President and other officials in the government of the Islamic

Republic of Iran should know that the honorable nation of Iran loves and

favors them because it was this loyal nation that secured victory by

sacrificing the blood of its youths and making arduous efforts. They freed

everybody from prison, exile, isolation and suffocation and took away the

government from the oppressors and handed it over to people. It is this nation

that has been present on the stage and since the early days of the revolution

has backed the country, the army, Sepah, the rest of the armed forces, the

government, Majlis, the Supreme Judicial Council and the courts. The nation

1 As per Article 110 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following the election

of a president by the people, the leader will confirm the presidents directive. 2 Surah al-Fath 48:29.


242

subdued the enemies inside and outside of the country and replaced the

satanic parties and groups with the Party of God. It is the nation that voted

for the president with enthusiasm and with more than sixteen million votes

and put him in the presidential seat. They are the ones who were able to

preserve the country from the evil of Satan by the will of God. They are the

people who all of you and us are indebted to and should try to give what we

owe them. We should wholeheartedly serve the nation, especially the

oppressed ones on whose shoulders has been the burden of the republic. They

served Islam without expecting anything. As long as we and you serve the

people, the Islamic Republic will not see any harm and the great alert nation

will answer back any lies and libels. I pray to the exalted God to grant

victory to Islam and Muslims.




243

Speech



Subject: Comparing the Islamic system with other governments; some

recommendations to the Islamic countries and nations

Occasion: Auspicious feast of Qurban; confirming presidency of Mr. Khamenei

Audience: Sayyid Ali Khamenei, civil and military authorities1


Comparing the Islamic system with other governments

First of all we should thank the Exalted God for granting success to our

nation in serving Islam. We should thank which has concertedly struggled

from before the revolution until now to set up Islamic justice, to drive out the

devils and corrupt regimes and to establish the Islamic Republic. Since the

time they rose up to the present day, they have been present on the stage,

made every effort and sacrificed their children and belongings to dispense

Islamic justice and establish divine commands. They are more present on the

stage than before, as indicated in the votes for the presidents, one being

higher than the other. I do not think the latest turnout has precedence in the

world. All classes of the nation from the great maraji of Islam and

prominent ulama in different cities, and the oppressed people rushed to the

ballot boxes and cast their votes for Islam in a short period of time, without

massive propaganda and without any fear or greed.

We are indebted to these efforts and services. All of us, all the gentlemen

present, be they civil or military men, are indebted to this released nation.

This nation relieved us of isolation, released you out of prisons and put an

end to the tyrannical rule of the oppressors. May God grant happiness and

1 Messrs: Husayn-Ali Muntaziri, Akbar Hashemi Rafasnjani (speaker of the Islamic

Consultative Assembly), Sayyid Abdulakarim Musawi Ardebili (Chief Justice), Rabbani

Amlashi (Prosecutor General of the country), Mahdawi Kani (Prime Minister), the cabinet and

the representatives of Maraji: Golpaygani, Marashi Najafi and Shirazi, members of the

Guardian Council, MPs, members of the judiciary, prosecutor general of the revolution,

Society of Teachers of Qum theological seminaries, members of the Supreme Defense

Council, Command council of the revolutionary guards, commanders of the three branches of

army, representative of the joint chief of staff of army, heads of the ideo-political departments

of army, police, gendarmerie, Supervisory Council of IRIB, representatives of liberation

movements, disabled of the war and families of martyrs and foreign and domestic

correspondents.


244

victory to this resisting nation and those who are taking trouble in the

frontlines and behind the frontlines. All these victories have been achieved

due to our belief in Islam, cooperation of the nation with the government, the

army, the Majlis, the judiciary and other organs. Our nation is present in the

scene. In the same way that victory was secured due to the presence of our

nation, its perpetuation will also hinge on the nations presence.

Compare this country with other countries like Egypt, Iraq and the likes

of them and the big countries which are far from us but are guiding their

agents to gain power here. You see a president is martyred in Iran, but

nothing happens because shortly afterwards another president takes his place.

The corrupt president was killed1

in Egypt and the country was disturbed;

martial law was enforced for one year in Egypt. The difference between here

and there and between the president of this republic and that in Egypt lies in

the fact that here people rely on Islam and that all the nation rose up under

the banner of Islam. It the president gets martyred, the nation is always

present in the scene and in his place elects another one. There, the backbone

is rifles, machine guns and military forces that are separated from the nation

and the nation is separated from them. This nation trusts God, while the

governments of Egypt and Iraq trust Europe, America and the Soviet Union.

Here, nations are in the scene whereas nations are out of the stage in those

countries. Thats why when the president gets killed here, nothing happens

following assassination of the president. In similar cases everything gets

mixed up there so much that no one was allowed to take part in his

auspicious funeral without permission. Why? Because their people are

against them.

Advising Islamic countries to trust God

Here, I would like to remind all Islamic countries of the fact that they are

in the wrong. Instead of trusting God you have relied on worldly powers like

the Soviet Union and America. Your nations are averse to you and if you

remove the bayonet for one day, you will get wiped out. Come to your senses

and stop this procedure. Take Iranian nation and its government as a model.

The Iranian nation has now restored peace to the country without reliance on

another power. The government has declined to rely on bayonet and has

trusted God and the nation. That is why nothing happens when the president

of the republic or the prime minister is killed or martyred. This is due to the

fact that we are under the blessed banner of Islam and trust the Exalted God

1 A revolutionary execution of Muhammad Anwar as-Sadat, the president of Eygpt.


245

and our nation is loyal to Islam. Other Islamic nations also trust God and

Islam.

Governments should do their best to win the consent of people. They

should not try to rule at bayonet. You, Islamic governments, commanded

neither the power nor the support enjoyed by Muhammad-Rida. He was

backed by all powers of the world. When I was in Paris, I realized all

supported him. Nevertheless, the Iranian nation which had risen up, broke

that bayonet and crushed those machine guns, driving out those big powers.

They tried to keep him in power to reap the benefits they desired, but they

failed because Iran trusted God and its own power. The governments,

affiliated to America and the Soviet Union, to whom affiliation is denounced

according to explicit text of the Quran, should wake up and note that Islam

brings dignity. If they stop the mischiefs they have been taught and return to

the fold of their nations—if that is possible—and join their nations, they see

that they no longer need to use the bayonet or enforce martial law. You saw

that with this great revolution accomplished in Iran, not a single day of

martial law or emergency was declared any where in the country. Basically,

martial law is declared to suppress people and we did not have any one

remove from the nation so as to try to suppress them.

Saddam fell into the trap of committing irrational acts. On account of the

illusions imposed on him, Saddam attacked Iran. Today, he wants to dig

himself out of this trap and everyday he comes up with some sort of plot.

One day he is on good terms with Israel, another day bombards one place in

his own country and accusing Iran of doing that. One day, he accuses Iran of

being in alliance with Israel, while Iran has been opposed to Israel before the

revolution. Since the outset of the revolution up to now Iran has always

declared opposition to Israel, closing everything destined for Israel and its

allies. Yet, Saddam claims Iran is not against Israel but is actually its alley.

Well, what drove this man to throw himself into the trap to be forced to tell

such whooping lies and brew such plots? Once they do some sabotage in

Kuwait and blame Iran for it.

Kuwait and other Sheikhdoms should learn that such things are of no use

to them. They should know that the superpowers take advantage of them and

the day when they see that these countries bring them no profit, they will

discard you like garbage.

We saw that before Sadat was eliminated, America appointed his

successor. Sadat was still alive, leading an animal life. America predicted

that he must be replaced with an agent who used up all his honor and prestige

to serve America. All witnessed what happened in Egypt the day he was


246

assassinated. This second imposed president who plans to rule in Egypt just

like his predecessor has completely put himself at the disposal of America.

Prior to coming to power as president he declared his solidarity with America

and Israel. He has not realized that in the same way that his sinful

predecessor1

was sent to hell due to the rage of the nation, similar treatment

will be meted out to him as well.

Call upon the Egyptian and Iraqi people to rise up

The Egyptian nation should know that if they rise up against these plots

just as Iran did, they will attain victory. The Egyptian nation should not fear

the martial law and not care about it. In the same way that Iranian nation

broke the martial law and took to the streets, they should follow suit and

drive out these American scums. The Egyptian nation should not sit and wait

for this almost lost power to pull its weight together and force its influence

on the nation. This is the day for the Egyptian nation to rise up. Today is the

day of the governments weakness and the nations power. They should show

strength and not care about the martial law, which is against all standards.

They should break this martial law and take to the streets and topple this

government which wants to fight Islam with bayonet. He has said outright

that whoever is loyal to Islam will be suppressed. This is a duty for the

Egyptian nation and for the scholars who do not depend on the government.

This is a duty for scholars. Egyptian scholars should rise up and defend Islam

for the sake of God. What excuse can the scholars of Egypt give for sitting

and listening idle and seeing the same people region power? Prior to coming

to power, this government declared that they would suppress whoever related

to Islam. Today, you are victorious. Today, the Egyptian people command

the power.

The Egyptian army should not give Israel the opportunity to rule over

their country, and not let America and Israel control the destiny of their

country. The Egyptian army should take care that if it wants to back this

government that has declared to be following America and Israel and will

stifle whoever speaks of Islam, it will carry this disgrace for all times. They

should not bring this disgrace upon themselves. Army is very unlikely to be

on the government side, except those officers who are agents of the U.S.

What benefit did the Iraqi army reap out of this affiliation?

The fault of Saddam, who served America and Israel which had suffered

damage by Iran, was attacking Iran. What benefit did the army of Iraq get

1 Husni Mubarak who replaced Sadat after his assassination.


247

from this aggression, except thousands of slain troops? The Iraqi army that

sees Iraqi nation is against this corrupt and infidel party should also oppose

it. The Iraqi army should not allow its youths to be killed any more. We and

our army do not want to kill young Muslims who under coercion come to

Iran to carry out the corrupt ideas of Saddam. We love all Islamic nations and

youth and want them to take the straight path of Islam and the Truth and to

go the way of their nations. Why the army of Iraq is sitting while Saddam is

destroying the Iraqi country and the army and disregarding Islam? Iraqi army

and nation should rise up and drive out this scum! All Islamic nations must

rise up and take the straight path. All governments must return and be

subordinate to their nation. Of course, it is too late for Saddam, just as it was

for Sadat.

Advice to the youth to foster independent thinking

Those inside the country engaging in mischief are inspired by crooked

illusions. We do not like the deceived youths, boys and girls to live with

these devils and get inspiration fro them. What have you girls and boys seen

from your corrupt leaders except empty claims and perversion? Were they

not those who claimed that they were on the side of the people and against

foreigners? You saw that they acted contrary to their claim and took refuge in

America, which backs them up. Why did you let others think for you? Why

do not you have independence in your thinking? Why do not you read about

those leaders who are corrupting you while they themselves are either in the

ruins or have fled the country? They want to perish you. When you do the

work, they will come and rule over you. Why do not you think? Why do not

you pay attention to your own interests? It is not clear what they will do to

you when they come and assume power. The one who is not in the line of

Islam is not loyal. They were the same people who assassinated their own

people whenever they did something not in line with their opinion. They are

the very people who after seizing power will only take care of their own

party and whoever is related to them. If their adherents wake up and voice

one word against them, they will carry out mass killing. Do not think that

they care for the nation and for Islam. You saw that despite their claims, they

escaped to countries they claimed were their enemies and took refuge in

places that are the enemies of poor nations. Why do not you think and have

mercy on yourselves? Wake up, be aware and put an end to all these evil

mischiefs. Do not let them fool you for the purpose of their own wicked

goals. Do not let them get you killed for their own ends. We do not want you


248

the youth, who can be the hope of this nation, to perish intellectually and

physically.

I pray to God to grant happiness and health to the entire nation,

particularly the poor. I want those who did their best to get the country to a

better position to do their best to serve the poor and to forget about serving

the rich. After the establishment of the government, which is almost done,

there will be no excuse for anyone. Sabotage is a thing of the past, and now

that there is rapport among you, no one will hinder the job of others. All

should be of one opinion and with one voice rise up and serve the poor and

the nation, to whom we are indebted. May God grant you success. I want the

military forces to put an end to those unwelcome intruders into our country

and drive them out of the country with all their might, as soon as possible. I

hope God will grant happiness to you, the military and civil, our nation and

all oppressed people of the world, and cut off the hands of the superpowers

from the oppressed nations.



249

Message Date: October 10, 1981 [Mehr 18, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 11, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to message of congratulation on the auspicious feast of Qurban

Addressee: Hafiz al-Asad (President of Syria)


Your Excellency Hafiz al-Asad, President of the Arab Republic of Syria,

I acknowledge the receipt of your message of congratulation on the

occasion of the auspicious feast of Qurban with appreciation. Reciprocally, I

congratulate you and the Muslim brothers of Syria on this great Islamic feast.

You are aware that the criminal America plays hardball to wipe out the

Islamic Republic of Iran, going as far as to hit the oil fields in Kuwait

through the Iraqi regime and the help of reactionary governments in the

region, and holding us responsible for this heinous crime. Our Muslim nation

expects the progressive Islamic countries to support the Islamic Republic of

Iran so that we can continue with our proud way without dependence on the

East or West. I pray to the Exalted God to grant Muslims victory over the

criminal colonialists, especially the world-devouring America and blood-

thirsty Israel.



Mehr 18, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah

11, 1401 AH


250

Message Date: October 10, 1981 [Mehr 18, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 11, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a letter; Criticizing the performance of Saudi officials

Addressee: Khalid ibn Abdul-Aziz (King of Saudi Arabia)


Your Excellency Khalid ibn Abdul-Aziz, King of Saudi Arabia,

I acknowledge the receipt of your letter. Whatever the embassy of the

Islamic Republic of Iran has said is true. In my opinion all the sufferings and

afflictions of Muslims and governments of Islamic countries stem from

conflict and discord among them. Why do Islamic governments with a

population of about one billion and underground resources, especially oil,

which is the lifeline of the superpowers, are so helpless? They have the life-

giving teachings of the glorious Quran, the politico-religious instructions of

the prophet (s) who calls upon Muslims to adhere to the path of God and to

obtain from disunity and discord1

. They also have a safe haven like the two

holy shrines that were centers of worship and Islamic politics in time of the

prophet (s), serving the same purpose for some time after the death of that

great prophet. Political plans and conquests were drawn up in the two great

politico-religious centers. However, twisted and biased ideas and the massive

propaganda of the superpowers have emboldened them to call engagement in

socio-political affairs, which are conducive to fulfillment of the needs of

Muslims, to be a crime in the holy shrines. Unfortunately, the Saudi police

stepped into Masjid al-Haram, which according to Gods command and the

explicit text of the glorious Quran, is a refuge for even the deviants, with

boots and arms to attack and arrest some Muslims. The guilt of these

Muslims was shouting slogans against America and Israel, which are the

enemies of God and the Prophet.

I do not know whether the events taking place in your country and the

two holy places are presented to you as they were and if the slogans chanted

by Iranians as are known everywhere reported contrary to the reality. I do not

know what the congregational prayer Imams of the two holy shrines have

understood from Islam and from performing pilgrimage to the House of

1 Surah Al-i Imran 3:103.


251

God? Islam is fraught with politics1

and the secret of its communications is

for people to rise up and administer justice and put an end to oppressions and

plundering. What have they understood from the general policy of all the

prophets, particularly the last prophet (s) that in the name of Islam they

prevented the pilgrims to the House of God from interfering in politics and

even banned them from shouting slogans against America and Israel? They

have done that to satisfy America, Israel and the other enemies of Islam, in

contravention of the tradition of the great prophet (s) and the life-style of the

Muslim in the early years of Islam. By so doing, they have wittingly or

unwittingly laid the ground for domination of outsiders over Islamic

countries, and even the two Holy shrines wherein revelation and Gods

angels descended. If the government of Hijaz made politico-Islamic use of

this politico-religious ritual performed by millions of Muslims every year in

the sacred stations of the two holy shrines, they would need neither America

and its AWACS2

aircraft nor the other superpowers and the problems of

Muslims would be resolved. We know that America has placed these

airplanes at the disposal of Saudi Arabia so as to use them in their own favor

and that of Israels. As we have seen, American AWACS gave utterly false

reports of Iran bombing the Kuwaiti oil wells to create disunity between Iran

and Arab Muslims. Unfortunately, this nonchalance is common in all

Islamic countries so much so that Muslims, particularly their office holders

have been held back from interfering in politics by the treacherous and

criminal superpowers. This state of affairs has gone so far that in the center

of Islamic politics Muslims were found guilty and subjected to persecution,

importance and torture by the verdict of court preachers on account of

interfering in politics and chanting slogans against the sworn enemies of the

glorious Quran and the dear Islam.

Are you aware of these calamities taking place in the two holy shrines, in

the divine refuge and in the vicinity of the prophets mausoleum? Or were

things portrayed to you in a wrong and distorted way, as it is clear from the

way they reported slogans of Iranians. We have risen up in Iran to bring the

world Muslims together under the banner of monotheism to curtail the grip

1 Surah al-Maidah 5:97. 2 Sophisticated detection aircraft, fitted with powerful radar and a computer, capable of

simultaneously tracking and plotting large numbers of low-flying aircraft in much longer

distances than is possible with ground radar. In the course of the Iraqi imposed war against

Iran, the U.S. sold several of these aircrafts to the Saudi government at exorbitant prices after

several years of propaganda and only when the U.S. had already secured sufficient guarantee

from the Saudi government to the effect that the use of the aircraft would be supervised by

America and that in no circumstances they would be used against Israel.


252

of superpowers from Islamic countries to restore the lost glory of Muslims of

the early days of Islam, to end the oppressive domination of unbelievers over

Islamic countries and to regain freedom and independence of Muslims. It is

hoped that the Islamic countries, especially Saudi Arabia, which is at the

center of Islamic politics, will join us in unison, will taste the savor the sweet

of their peoples unsparing support, enjoy this great divine blessing the way

our popular government had done and following the commands of the

glorious Quran treat the Islamic nations and governments in a kind, lenient

manner and the infidels and international plunderers harshly.1

Finally, I stress the point that it is clear from your letter that you are

provided with false and distorted reports.2

As you have written, the slogans

of Iranian pilgrims have triggered discontent and disgust among the pilgrims

to the House of God. It would have been better if you assigned trusted people

to provide reports so that it would be clear if the slogans against America and

Israel caused dissatisfaction among the pilgrims to the House of God or the

Saudi treatment? In fact, treatment of Saudi officials who beat and

imprisoned the guests of the Exalted God generated hatred and

dissatisfaction among world Muslims, particularly the pilgrims to the House

of God and the holy shrine of the Messenger (s).

I implore the Exalted God to awaken Muslims form their slumber, to rise

the glory of Islam increasingly and to guide Muslims, particularly state men

to what secures the interests of Islam and Muslims.

May Gods peace be upon you and all Muslims.


1 Surah al-Fath 48:29 2 The text of the message of the Saudi King to Imam Khomeini was published in newspapers

on Mehr 19, 1360 AHS. Refer to daily Jumhuri-ye Islami, edition 682, third year.


253

Message



Subject: Reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the auspicious feast of Qurban

Addressee: Shaykh Zaid bin Sultan Al-e Nahyan (President of United Arab

Emirates)


Your Excellency Shaykh Zaid bin Sultan Al-e Nahyan, President of United

Arab Emirate,

I acknowledge the receipt of your telegraph of congratulation on the


extend my congratulation to you and to the Muslim people of United Arab

Emirates. You are aware that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been subjected

to all kinds of plots just because of its opposing to the world-devouring

America that is trying to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran by resorting

to all sorts of plots. It has gone so far as to hit the oil fields of Kuwait

through Baathist Iraqi government and the help of some mercenary

governments1

, and is now accusing Iran of this heinous crime. Our Muslim

nation expects the Islamic countries to support it so that we can better carry

on with our peaceful way of life without dependence on the East and West. I

pray to God to grant victory to Muslims of the world over the arrogant

powers and colonialists, especially the world-devouring America.




1 To accuse Iran of attacking the oil fields in Kuwait and reap great propaganda benefit from

this accusation, the U.S. relied the reports by the Saudi AWAX planes.


254

Message




Addressee: Mamun Abdul-Qayyum (President of the Maldives)1


Your Excellency Mamun Abdul-Qayyum, President of the Maldives,


occasion of auspicious feast of Qurban with appreciation. Reciprocally, I

extend my congratulation to you and the Muslim people of the Maldives.

You are aware that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been subjected to all

kinds of plots just because of its opposition to the world-devouring America

that struggles to undermine the Islamic Republic of Iran by resorting to all

sorts of machinations going so far as to hit the oil fields of Kuwait through

Iraq and reactionary regional regimes and is now accusing Iran of this

heinous crime. Our Muslim nation expects the Islamic countries to support it

so that we can better carry on with our peaceful way of life without

dependence on the East and West.

I pray to God to grant victory to Muslims of the world over the

colonialists, especially the world-devouring America and the aggressor

Israel.




1 The Republic of the Maldives lies in Africa and Muslims comprise the majority of its

population.


255

Message




Addressee: Ali Nasr Muhammad (President of South Yemen)


Your Excellency Ali Nasr Muhammad, Secretary General of the Socialist

Party and the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Democratic Republic

of Yemen,



extend my congratulation to you and the Muslim people of your country.

Now that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been subjected to all kinds of plots

just because of its opposition to America, which is playing hardball to

overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran, and has gone so far as to hit the oil

fields of Kuwait through the Baathist Iraqi regime and the help of reactionary

regional governments and accusing Iran of this heinous crime, our Muslim

nation expects the Islamic countries to support it so that we can better carry

on with our peaceful way of life without dependence on the East and West. I

pray to God to grant victory to Muslims and oppressed people of the world

over the colonialists, especially criminal America.





256

Letter



Subject: Laying down necessary laws based on secondary laws by the Islamic

Consultative Assembly

Addressee: Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (Speaker of the Islamic Consultative

Assembly)


Your Highness Imam Khomeini, may your sublime presence last,

As you know some of the laws approved by the Islamic Consultative

Assembly are related to the enforcement Islamic rules and policies or the

aspect that their abandonment is not acceptable by the holy Sharia. But due

to considerations such as regulation of general affairs, protection of interests

and warding of possibilities of corruption they have to be temporarily

implemented in accordance with the secondary rules. Regarding the former

rules, we stand in need of approval and discretion of the leader, who

according to the Constitution Supervises the three branches of government.

Therefore, the Islamic Consultative Assembly seeks your Eminences

assistance and guidance in this respect.

Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Akbar

Hashemi Rafsanjani, 5/7/1360 AHS]


Whatever required for disrupts the establishment owing and whatever is

necessary due to its execution relinquishment and whatever conduces

corruption and sin on account of its execution or abandonment is to be passed

and implemented by the MPs after examining the issue by the majority of the

Majlis deputies stipulating their being temporary as long as the issue is

verified and automatically will be set aside after settlement of the issue. It

should be stipulated that any of the office holders overstepping the

boundaries provided is taken as offender and liable to legal and religious

prosecution.


257



Mehr 19, 1360 AHS


258

Message




Addressee: Suharto (President of the Republic of Indonesia)


Your Excellency General Suharto, President of the Republic of Indonesia,


occasion of auspicious feast of Qurban with appreciation. Reciprocally, I

extend my congratulation to you and the Muslim people and brothers of

Indonesia. You are aware that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been

subjected to all kinds of plots just because of its opposition to America that

struggles to use all kinds of plots to wipe out the Islamic Republic of Iran

going so far as to attack the oil fields of Kuwait through the Iraqi Baathist

regime and the help of some mercenary governments and is now accusing us

of this heinous crime. Our Muslim nation expects the Islamic countries to

support it so that we can better carry on with our peaceful way of life without

dependence on the East and West. I pray to God to grant victory to Muslims

of the world over colonialists, especially the criminal America.





259

Message




Addressee: Shadhli bin Jadid (President of the Republic of Algeria)


Your Excellency Shadhli bin Jadid, President of the Republic of Algeria,



extend my congratulations to you and to the Muslim and revolutionary

people of Algeria. I pray to the Exalted God to grant glory and greatness to

the Muslims of the world under the sublime teachings of Islam.





260

Message




Addressee: Muhammad Abdul-Aziz (Chairman of the Council of the Revolution of

the Democratic Republic of Sahara)


Your Excellency Muhammad Abdul-Aziz, Chairman of the Council of the

Revolution of the Democratic Republic of Sahara,



extend my congratulation to you and the Muslim and brotherly people of

your country. You are aware that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been

subjected to all kinds of plots just because of its opposition to America that

struggles to undermine the Islamic Republic of Iran by resorting to all types

of ploys, going so far as to attack the oil fields of Kuwait through the Iraqi

regime and with the help of reactionary governments of the region and

accusing us of this heinous crime. Our Muslim nation expects the Islamic and

progressive countries to support it so that we can better carry on with our

proud without dependence on the East and West. I pray to God to grant

victory to Muslims of the world over all colonialists, especially the world-

devouring America.





261

Message




Addressee: Qadi Abdus-Sattar (Vice President of the Republic of Bangladesh)


Your Excellency Qadi Abdus-Sattar, Vice President of the Republic of

Bangladesh,



extend my congratulations to you and to the Muslim and revolutionary

people of Algeria. I pray to the Exalted God to grant glory and greatness to

the Muslims of the world under the sublime teachings of Islam and unity of

expression.





262

Decree



Subject: Appointment of a representative in the Supreme Defense Council

Addressee: Akbar Hashemi Rafasnjani


Hujjat al-Islam Haj Shaykh Akbar Hashemi Rafasnjani—may your graces

last,

I hereby appoint your Excellency as my representative in the Supreme

Defense Council hoping that besides carrying out the duties assigned, you

will also supervise the relevant departments. I pray to God to grant you

success.




263

Message




Addressee: Khalifah bin Hamad Al-e Thani (Emir of Qatar)


Your Excellency Khalifah bin Hamad Al-e Thani, Emir of Qatar,


occasion of the auspicious feast of Qurban wit appreciation. Reciprocally, I

extend my congratulations to you and the Muslim people of your country.

You are aware that the Islamic republic of Iran has been subjected to all

kinds of plots just because of its opposition to the world-devouring America

that attacks the oil fields of Kuwait through its agents such as the Baathist

Iraqi regime and the reactionary regional governments and accuses Iran of

this heinous crime. Our Muslim nation expects the Islamic countries to

support it so that we can better carry on with our proud way of life without

dependence on the East and West and actualize the sublime goals of Islam in

the world.





264

Message




Addressee: Rashid bin Said Al-e Maktum (Deputy Governor and Parliament

Speaker of Dubai)


Your Excellency Rashid bin Said Al-e Maktum, Deputy governor and

Parliament Speaker of Dubai,



extend my congratulations to you and to the Muslim people of your country.

I hope that you will not spare you support of our Islamic and revolutionary

people who have been subjected to all kinds of plots and enmities of the

superpowers for establishing Islamic government. Our nation has been

accused of the most disgraceful crimes only because of raising objections to

the world-devouring America, to the extent that the criminal America has

attacked the oil fields of Kuwait through the mercenary Iraqi regime and the

help of reactionary governments of the region and shamelessly accuses Iran

of this heinous crime. I pray to God to grant complete victory to Muslims of

the world over the Eastern and Western superpowers and the rightist or leftist

colonialists, especially the world-devouring America.





265

Message



Subject: Reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the auspicious Feast of Qurban

Addressee: Hamed bin Muhammad al-Sharqi (Governor of Fujaira)1


Your Excellency Hamed bin Muhammad al-Sharqi, Governor of Fujaira,


occasion of the auspicious feast of Qurban. Reciprocally, I extend my

congratulations to you and to the Muslim people of Fujaira. I hope that with

your special insight about the Islamic countries, you will appreciate our

delicate situation in the face of different plots of the world-devouring

America, which is the biggest enemy of Islam and the world Muslims. The

criminal U.S. has gone so far as to attack the oil fields of Kuwait through the

Iraqi Baathist regime and the help of reactionary regional governments and

accuse Iran of this heinous crime. In such conditions, our Muslim and

revolutionary nation expects the Islamic countries to support it against these

plots so that they can better carry on with their proud way of life and secure

victory over the enemies of Islam.




1 One of the seven emirates under the rule of the United Arab Emirates situated on the

southern coast of the Persian Gulf to the East of Masandum.


266

Reply to a Query Date: [1360 AHS / 1401 AH]

Place: Tehran

Subject: Reply to a query concerning the criteria for recognizing subject and

evidence


Your Highness Ayatullah al-Uzma Imam Khomeini, may your presence

endure,

With apology, please state your view on the following two questions:

Who is entitled to diagnose the subjects unrelated to the inferred

materials of religious narrations and proofs? If the matter rests with common

law, can Mujtahid (religious authority) determine the instances of common

laws or should he leave it to the common laws? If the view of a follower

were different from that of a Mujtahid, that view is binding?]


The criterion is common law, and if there is a difference between a

Mujtahid and his follower, common law should be referred to. If each one of

them claims this is the common law, each one should follow his own view.



267

Statements Date: October 14, 1981 [Mehr 22, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 15, 1401 AH]


Subject: Necessity of propaganda for exporting the revolution

Audience: Members of delegations heading for India and Pakistan and the

participants in the inter-parliamentary conference


Our revolution rests on spirituality and God. Those who are with us are

in line with monotheism. We should not forget this path of spirituality for

which we staged a revolution, the same path that drew the attention of the

people of the world despite all the inefficiency we showed in presentation. It

is the line of spiritually to which high-handed people are opposed. Take note

that wherever the power wielders and governments are against us, nations are

on our side. Basically, we must think about the people not about

governments, because the people and the masses are on the side of truth;

because they have been oppressed and do not want to be under the

domination of America and the Soviet Union.

As far as propaganda is concerned, we have been down to zero. Besides

official tours, we should conduct unofficial tours so as to wake the world up.

If we want to export the revolution we should do something so that people

themselves can take control of the government. In other words, the third class

people should come to power. Only in unofficial tours can you come into

contact with the ordinary people in the street and enlighten them. The

presence of one like you, without pomp and circumstance, is more interesting

for people and more efficient for the purpose of propaganda. Today the

country is yours and I hope that you will keep it with your concerted efforts.


268

Decree



Subject: Permission to use leaders authorities for military missions and duties

Addressee: Qasim-Ali Zahir-Nejad


Brigadier General Qasim-Ali Zahir-Nejad, Head of Joint-Chiefs-of Staff of

the Islamic Republic of Irans Army,

You are authorized to carry out the missions and duties assigned to you

in consultation with the president1, using the leadership authorities.


1 As per article 110 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the leader is also

Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.


269

Speech

Date/Time: Before noon, October 15, 1981 [Mehr 23, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 16,

1401 AH]1


Subject: Striving to achieve cultural independence

Audience: Ali-Akbar Parvaresh (Education Minister) and directors-general of the

ministry from all over the country


Importance of culture and education

The question of culture and education and training is a top priority in the

country. If the problems of culture and education are solved in a way

compatible with the interests of the country, other problems will be resolved

easily. The losses our country has suffered from the culture of the

monarchical regime is not comparable to economic and other damages.

Unfortunately during the time of this father and son foreigners found their

way into the country again and educational centers turned into the enemies of

the nation instead of being its mainstay. Of course, our cultural deviation has

historical roots, and we still have teachers and professors who have been

assimilated into western culture and training which are in no way in

conformity with the interests of Islam and our country. All foreign affiliates

are by-products of this Western university. Foreigners and their activities

emptied our schools and universities of any content. A lot of campaigns were

carried out against the clergy. They wanted the clergy to change their

principles, and were able to persuade some, but others resisted and did not

change.

We must try hard for many years to come so as to strip off our second

nature, come onto ourselves and stand on our feet. Then, we will not need the

East or West. We should start with children. Our only aim should be turning

Western man into an Islamic one. If you manage to do this, you can be sure

that no one and no power can deal us any blow. How can they deal us any

blow when we are independent in our thinking? They can only hurt us from

within; they work on an individual inside the country as they have, and later

through him they can do whatever they want.

1 It was dated 24/7/1360 AHS in hifeh-ye Nur.


270

Self-assurance cultural independence

Try to make use of committed religious experts. We have said time and

again that we want experts, albeit committed ones. But the enemies shouted

that they are against specialization. Of course, there is no one more

dangerous than a deviant expert. expertise crux of the matter is that we

should understand that we are everything and are not inferior to others. We

who lost ourselves, must try to find ourselves and get rid of the notion that

―if foreign hands stop helping us, we would die‖. You saw how the nation

rose up against the superpowers with empty hands and this movement

generated a wave that would not stop so soon by the grace of God.

I hope that gentlemen will help to restore our culture and our Islamic

culture, the culture which has made the like of Shaykh al-Reis1

made. I

repeat that we should believe that we are something. If we believe that we are

capable of doing everything, we will be powerful. You should also believe

that you can. Minds should be cleansed and be replaced with self-reliant

ones. May God protect you all.


1 Shaykh ar-Rais Avicenna (370-428 AH) was a prominent Iranian scientist. His important

books include Qanon (on medicine), Shafa, al-Mabda and al-Miad, Daneshnameh Alai,

Isharat and Tanbihat.


271

Letter



Subject: Authorities of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) in laying down

laws compatible with the primary and secondary religious rules.

Addressee: Sayyid Muhammad-Rida Golpaygani (one of the prominent religious

reference authorities)


Hadrat Ayatullah Golpaygani—may your blessings last,

At first, I extend my congratulations on the blessed feast of Qadir. I

acknowledge the receipt of your telegraph in which your Eminence had

expressed concern over the authorities given to the Majlis. The mentioned

authorities are about identification of the subject which common law and

religious law assign to common law and the Majlis represents common law

and the representatives are part of common law. In case there is disagreement

in law, there are organizations to supervise. The Guardian Council has the

right to interfere in case there is a mistake in a secondary or primary decree.

However, according to the law the Guardian Council does not have the right

to identify the subjects. At the same time, I summoned the officials to warn

them that if they act contrary to the Sharia or transgress upon the secondary

laws, I would not stay silent and that the distinguished ulama in cities

would also supervise the affairs.

But I must explain some points as your Eminence only sees one side of

the coin. If the feudal situation, stockjobbing and landholding persist and the

noble classes continue being indulged in debauchery in European countries,

in contradiction to religious standards, without their conditions being subject

to investigation while large classes of the poor work for them in contrast to

standards and lead a life of object poverty, Islamic government, Islam and

the constitution should be done away with. Affairs which are required for

preserving the Islamic establishment, are vital, and whose enactment or

abandonment may create corruption can not remain as they are at the request

of a few groups supporting the landholders, thus triggering corruption. Rest

assured that there is a great danger in this side. There is no danger in that

side. By the rule of secondary decrees, some limitations will be in place

abandonment of which gives rise to enormous threats. You should be sure

that neither the parliamentarians nor the government leans towards the left.


272

And none of what is being done is left-oriented. I hope that with the

supervision of ulama in cities, no Shariah command, whether primary or

secondary rules, will be contravened. Let me say that I do not want the

accusation leveled against the clergy for many years to the effect that the

clergies support the big landholders and capitalists, thus doing oppression to

the people, be proved.




273

Speech



Subject: Conspiracy of the Amnesty International; remarkable feats of the Iranian

nation

Audience: Mahdi Karubi (the Imams representative and superintendent of the

Martyrs Foundation), members of the Islamic Association of Parents and teachers,

Families of martyrs from Markazi, Lorestan, Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiyari provinces

as well as from Zarand and Kuhbanan (in Kerman)


Appreciating the sacrifices of the honorable families of martyrs

I do not know whether to express condolences or congratulation to the

families of the martyrs, to the prophet of Islam, the Immaculate Imams and to

the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him). Congratulations

to because it has raised such a nation and such worthy people, such youth

whose photos are seen everywhere and whose shining images are before eyes

and such mothers, fathers and relatives of martyrs, who are present here. I do

not think that except in an Islamic environment such a thing can be possible

where an old woman says that she has other young ones to offer for Islam, an

old man who lost his youth says that he is ready to go to the front to obtain

martyrdom, lots of young people come and ask me to pray for them to get

martyred in the way of Islam and young people want us to pray for them to

obtain martyrdom.

Where else except in Islam and Islamic education can you find such

youths and such families of young martyrs? Though they have lost their

young ones in battlefronts, they have bravely stood up against the enemies

and are ready to make sacrifices.

International organizations defend villains and murderers

These international organizations, the Amnesty International that has

applied to visit Iran to inspect the executions and report in favor of the

superpowers know nothing about Iran. Are they aware of the wickedness of

these ―munafiqin‖? Definitely, they are aware of these on-going explosions.

Do you think they are unaware of these killings and arson attacks that wipe

out the people and their properties? Do not they know that they set buses on

fire and burn and kill the children inside the buses? Did they not hear the


274

report that the villains set a bus on fire in Shiraz yesterday and killed two

kids and wounded about 30 or 40 others, some of whom are in critical

condition? Some of these villains were arrested and punished. How come

they do not say a word about this villainy? How come that the human rights

organization do not consider Iranians as human beings whom America and

the conspiracies of the superpowers are eliminating, their only guilt being

that they want to lead the humble lifestyle they have independently and

freely? How come these corrupt international organizations do not say a

word about this? But they raise their voice when Iran executes criminals like

―Huwayda‖ and ―Nasiri‖ who had committed countless crimes throughout

their lives. How come these organizations keep quiet when the explosion in

the Islamic Republic Party burned 72 pious and innocent scholars, among

whom were the two committed and faithful ones? But when a few armed

men who took to the streets and who wanted to kill innocent people, were

arrested and executed after the trial which proved them to be guilty of killing

some people, the international organizations shouted at the top of their voice.

Respectable brothers and sisters who have come here from different

places, know that all evil forces and all associates of the satanic powers such

as the Amnesty International and other organizations have joined hands to

stifle the Islamic Republic of Iran and to not let it develop, fearing that the

revolution may find its way into other places where they have interests. They

want to disappoint, assuming that with such plots they can discourage a

nation which has risen up for God and Islam. As long as there is Islam, this

nation will be firm and determined in serving it. These people have not risen

up for the sake of worldly gains, so that they turn away after losing their

youths. The uprising of this nation is like the uprising of the prophets, the

Immaculate Imams and Imam Husayn, the Doyen of Martyrs. A nation,

whose uprising is motivated by Islam and faith, will not get desperate by

such moves. If the whole world stands up against it, as it has, they will not be

able to turn it away from its purpose and direction. And we know that the

Amnesty International has asked to visit Iran and inspect what is going on. It

has been ordered to come here and condemn Iran. They have been

commissioned to join hands to suppress the Islamic Revolution and Islam.

They are scared of Islam and right from the start they were afraid of Islam,

but now that they have been slapped by Islam, they are more scared.

Uprising of nations inspired by the Islamic Revolution

They see that the signs of their downfall are becoming more noticeable

day by day all over the world, and even among black Americans. They saw


275

that Islam has the power to march ahead and to mobilize religious and

oppressed people. With this universal uprising of the downtrodden people the

death knell of superpowers will ring. They are afraid of this. They are not

concerned with Iran nor with Iranian nation; they are concerned with Islam.

Since Iranian nation symbolizes Islam and has risen up under the guidance of

Islam and this uprising has been exported to other countries and they have

risen up or are in the process of rising up, and are ready to support this

Islamic-human uprising in Iran, the gig powers are afraid because they may

lose their interests and domination in the region and even in the whole world.

Now Egypt has risen up and Iraq is trying to rise up and the same is true

about other places. When nations become conscious of the motive that Iran

has, they will be motivated, rise up and get rid of people like Saddam and

other criminals like Sadat.

Respectable brothers and sisters, you have come from different parts of

Iran and other centers. If I want to mention the names, I am afraid I might

leave out some. Therefore, you are all brothers and all are in the path of

Islam. All of you and all Iranians, women and men, should know that you

have stood up against the superpowers and up to now no one has done such a

thing. Up to now no country has stood up against the superpowers and no

country has been as much oppressed as Iran. While the Islamic country of

Iran has been oppressed by the superpowers, has been attacked from all

sides, and has been under heavy propaganda campaigns, it has been able to

withstand all and has marched ahead because the nation has risen up for the

sake of God and for establishing Islamic rules. No revolution in the whole

world is like this revolution in that it has secured spectacular victories with

little losses. You offered many youths, lost your property and took a great

deal of trouble, but do you know what you have gained? You defeated the

2500-year-old monarchical regime which had power and which was backed

by all powers big or small, with the exception of a few, though you did not

have sophisticated weapons. With your clenched fists, you stood up against it

and defeated it and consigned it to the dustbin of history. This is a miracle;

this is not a small thing, it was a huge miracle, which the Exalted God

brought for you, honorable nation of Iran. Do you know that certainly the

hands of the superpowers from Iran and ousting all the advisers and agents

from Iran were a miracle? Though you were oppressed, you did your job. All

the propaganda machinery of the world, particularly that of America and

Israel, were blowing their trumpets against you and aired lots of lies. If you

make one single mistake, they make a big deal out of it; if a court sentences

someone to death following proper legal proceedings, they falsely claim that


276

we execute kids. They say that you execute right here on the streets and do

not hold trials. This propaganda all over the world is because of the fact that

their access to Iran, its oil and other resources was denied and as a result they

directed all sorts of libels and accusations at us.

Miracle of the heroic nation of Iran

Though you, the oppressed nation of Iran, have been attacked from all

sides, whether by propaganda campaigns or armed attacks, you have stood up

against all of them. Your uprising is getting stronger everyday and I hope

you will keep it up this way. You worked miracle in this century. The Iranian

nation has wrought a miracles in this century. No nation in the whole world

can say that they stood up against all powers. While the superpowers have

sophisticated weapons and Muhammad-Rida Khan was equipped with all

modern weapons, you, your children, your youths, your men and your

women came out and stood up against rifles, tanks and guns bare-handed,

and defeated them. You will be the same in the future, and will keep your

enthusiasm for Islam. If you are martyred, in the next world you will be

counted as holding the rank of the martyrs of early Islam and the martyrs of

Karbala and if you become victorious, this too will be for your own good.

Martyrdom is for your own good and so is victory. Whatever it might be, it is

victory.

Let the propaganda trumpets drum whatever they want. Let the corrupt

people do whatever they want. Let the blasts and blazes bring about whatever

they do. This great combatant nation will bear it all and march ahead. From

the outset of the revolution until now people have become ever more

unanimous and strident in defending your country. From the beginning till

now, you have not shown any sign of laxity. The million-strong masses of

people, the oppressed masses, the slum dwellers and the middle class have

been present in the arena and stood up against the superpowers and will do so

till the end. And even though Iranian men and women have offered many

martyrs and one cannot say that this is a city in which people have not

offered martyrs nevertheless, their power has augmented and so has their

uprising, with their ranks growing tighter. They will stand until oppression

and its corrupt roots and the powers with their corrupt roots are eliminated

from this country.

I hope that other nations will take note and follow in the footsteps of the

Iranian nation. The Egyptian nation should not care about the threats of this

oppressive regime, which has announced it will support anyone mentioning

Islam. People should know that Islam is at risk in Egypt and that it is the duty


277

of every Egyptian man and woman to rise up and to topple this government,

which has from the start declared war against Islam. Iraqi women and men

should also rise up and destroy this corrupt person who was primarily against

Islam but who aligned himself with Islam to deceive people. We are

acquainted with the Iraqi Baath party and know that they do not believe in

Islam. In fact, they are the enemies of Islam, considering Islam a thorn in

their side. It is the duty of all Iraqi people to rise up and weed out this germ

which generates corruption. Thank God, they are approaching their defeat

and will very soon be purged from our land.

I would like to say a few words to the parents and teachers of the

children who are present here. You should stick together and raise your

children in an Islamic way. You see that it was Islam that saved you from the

evil domination of powers. It was the teachings of Islam that made you so

resistant against all the problems. The aim of your opponents is to lead your

children and young ones astray from Islam. Take care to raise your children

in an Islamic way so that your country would be protected against any harm

and so that your future children and youths, who are our hope and the hope

of Islam, will keep Islam alive, as you did.

I also would like to thank the Jihad-e Sazandegi coming here from

different places. I hope they will carry on with their duty and engage in

greater construction efforts.

I should thank Mr. Karubi1

who is serving this nation and who is running

the Martyrs Foundation, which is of the best organizations, successfully by

the grace of God. May God preserve the like of these servants.


1 Mr. Mahdi Karubi, representative of Imam and superintendent of Martyrs Foundation of the Islamic Revolution.


278

Statements Date/Time: Before noon, October 21, 1981 [Mehr 29, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 22, 1401 AH]


Subject: Notes about the duties of Sepah-e Pasdaran (Islamic Revolutionary Guard

corps)

Audience: Fadlullah Mahalati (Imams representative in Sepah), Muhsin Ridai

(Commander of Sepah-e Pasdaran) and the central council of Sepah


Need for greater obedience of Sepah to fiqh-oriented Islam

I would like to tell you about some of the experiences I have had in my

lifetime. The moment Rida Khan took over, I realized the more useful

something was for Islam the more it came under attack. Those days the

clerics were the most important base for the nation in the face of foreign

powers. As such, they were target of the fiercest attacks. The opponents

attacked the clerics with whatever they had access to, attacks in the form of

poetry and prose, etc. To disintegrate the clerics, they opened the door of

some departments to them. In cities and the theological seminaries they

exerted pressure so much that from morning till night we had to live in

gardens. They were dead set against Ashura and Islamic propagation

because they knew these two factors would unmask the governments. Now,

the anti-revolutionaries and foreigners attack Sepah as well as the clerics.

One can understand from these attacks that Sepah is useful for Iran and

Islam. Sepah should be more obedient to the Fiqh-oriented Islam than it is

today. It should make up for its inadequacies so that it can be more useful for

Islam and the revolution. I should remind you of some points:

First, members of the council should try to have close rapport and

eschew differences; otherwise, they will suffer defeat. Today, people are

aware and if, God forbid, you are at loggerheads with each other, people will

understand and start to dislike you. You should do something so that people

accept you as they have done so far. The entire Iran is one political organ. If

anti-revolutionaries and foreign powers see that they can not do anything by

a military attack, so they try to infiltrate into your ranks to disintegrate you

from within. Today, preserving the prestige of Sepah-e Pasdaran is

incumbent upon all, particularly upon you.


279

The second point is that there should be rapport between Friday prayer

leaders and Sepah-e Pasdaran. Difference between Friday prayer leaders and

Sepah is not a normal thing. There are hands at work to undermine both

Sepah and the clergy. They have employed an especial approach. You should

send missions to cities to iron out possible differences between Sepah and the

clergies.

The third point, probably the most important problem concerns the

trainings given to Sepah. You should take care to identify the people to be

chosen for this job so that, God forbid, we do not undergo chaos. You should

note that Islam is what the jurists have sensed since the early days of Islam

up to the present time. On some occasions, they have had had the power and

implemented it. In most cases, Islam has remained intact in the Quran and

jurisprudence books and narrations. Take care lest those who only keep up

appearances take the lead as Islamologist, and you suddenly come to realize

that you have gone astray from the straight path. Be careful lest your Islam

be separated from the clerics. Raise voice against those whose Islam runs

counter to that of the clerics. Since you make more endeavors, the devils will

focus on you so as to eliminate you.

The necessity to keep up the prestige of Sepah

Another point which I have talked about over and over again is export of

the revolution. We are not at war with anyone. Today, our revolution has

been exported. Everywhere there is talk of Islam; the oppressed people have

pinned their hopes on Islam. With the right propaganda, we can present Islam

to the world as it is. When nations get to know Islam, they will automatically

accept it; we do not want anything except implementation of Islamic rules in

the world. I advise you to maintain your respect and reputation among

people. Of course, among you there are some hot-tempered people who need

to be reformed so that they will not do anything contrary to the general

policy of Sepah. You can get the help of Mr. Muntaziri1

who is in Qum, so as

to bring Sepah and the clergies closer. Propagate for God, as propagation is

an important thing. Propagation is as harmful for the arrogant superpowers

and the liars as it is useful for the oppressed. Pay attention to the condition of

the people. To be fair, the revolution owes a lot to the Iranian people. Have

more trust in God. May God keep your dignity and respect and cut off the

hands of the enemies of Islam.


1 Mr. Husayn-Ali Muntaziri.


280

Decree

Date: October, 1981 [Aban, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah, 1401 AH]


Subject: Rejection of the resignation of Mr. Lutafullah Safi from the Guardian

Council

Audience: Husayn Mehrpur (Acting Secretary of the Guardian Council)

[Your Highness the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatullah Imam

Khomeini—may your sublime presence last long,

Enclosed please find the resignation of Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Haj

Shaykh Lutfullah Safi from the membership of the Guardian Council which

was read in the session of the Guardian Council date 22/7/1360 AHS and not

withdrawn after one week by him. So according to article 7 of the internal

procedure of the Guardian Council this resignation letter is submitted to you

to make the necessary decision.

I wish the great God to grant longevity to that great leader and final

victory to the Islamic Revolution under the aegis of your Excellency’s

prudent leadership.

Acting Secretary of the Guardian Council, Husayn Mehrpur-

30/7/1360 AHS]


He is to remain in the same post. May the Exalted God grant you

success.



281

Permission Date: October 24, 1981 [Aban 2, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 25, 1401 AH]


Subject: Permission to collect religious funds

Audience: Sayyid Jawad Khurramshahi


Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; may Gods peace and salutation

be upon Muhammad and his pure progeny, and his curse be upon all their

enemies.

His Excellency Sayyid al-Alam wa Thiqqat al-Muslimin Haj Sayyid

Jawad Khorramshahi—may his graces last—is authorized to collect religious

funds and to spend half of the share of Sadat and two-thirds of the holy share

of Imam—may Gods peace be upon him—for personal expenses and

promoting Islam, and send the rest to me to be spent on the holy theological

schools—may the Exalted God protect them.

―I advise him—may God Almighty assist him—as we have been

admonished by the pious predecessors to keep company of piety, and to

evade carnal desires.‖

May Gods peace, mercy and blessings be upon him and our faithful

brethren.




282

Message Date: October 26, 1981 [Aban 4, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 27, 1401 AH]


Subject: Reply to a telegraph of congratulations on the auspicious feast of Qurban

Audience: Haj Shaykh Shajari (Nigerian President)

Your Excellency Shaykh Shajari, President of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria,

Your message of congratulations on the occasion of the auspicious Feast

of Qurban was received and we appreciate it. Reciprocally, we extend our

congratulations on the great Islamic feast to you and the brother nation of

Nigeria. I wish success to all of you in gaining real independence and victory

over the internal and external enemies of Islam. I hope you understand our

current situation and the plots of the enemies and their widespread

propaganda against us and the Islamic Republic. The main enemy of Islam,

namely the criminal America and other world-devouring enemies from the

East and West have gone so far as to attack Kuwaits oil fields through the

Baathist regime of Iraq and are now brazenly hold us responsible for it. You

should be aware, defend our oppressed against these accusations and help us

to promote Islam and defend our dignity and independence.





283

Speech

Date: October 26, 1981 [Aban 4, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 27, 1401 AH]


Subject: Preserving the Islamic Republic Establishment; outlining the duties of

clerics

Occasion: On the eve of the holy month of Muharram

Audience: Preachers and orators in Tehran and Qum, members of the Islamic

Propagation Office of Qum and the members of Islamic Association of Tehran

municipality


Importance of preserving the Islamic Republic Establishment In this gathering in which respectable preachers from Qum and Tehran as

well as other strata are present, it is necessary to talk about some issues

which are important for us today and tomorrow as well. The revolutions in

the world and the revolutions that have happened in Iran have achieved

primary results in many cases, but have run into problems later. Let us take

the revolution in Iran. It is said that seizing a country is easy but running a

country is difficult.‖ The revolution took place in Iran and all strata of the

nation were present. It achieved victory though the struggles of all strata

including women, men, clerics, preachers, etc. We won stunning victories,

but still initial ones: forcing out the plunderers, overthrowing the monarchy

and establishing the Islamic Republic. However, preserving this result, which

is the Islamic Republic, is very important. This is what counts for us today.

Today, we should not look at the fact that we won and set up the Islamic

Republic and therefore should not think any more and that every one of us

should get busy with his/her own business. If the dear Islam could achieve its

objectives just by defeating unbelievers and replacing them with the Islamic

Republic, well we would be comfortable. Every one of us would go about

his/her personal life. However, we should know that this is not the case.

The point is that with this stunning victory, which the Muslim nation of

Iran secured, the superpowers of the world focused their attention on it. That

is, all eyes have been fixed on it and the agents of superpowers have

embarked on their struggle and concoct plots one after the other so as to

prevent the realization of the Islamic Republic as prescribed by Islam and the

Exalted God. Today, you see that wherever there are governments backed by

the U.S. or the Soviet Union they think out ways to stop the spread of Islam


284

in their countries. This Islamic movement originated from Iran, but its waves

have reached the Islamic and non-Islamic countries as well as the masses of

people with much propaganda effort on the part of us. These waves of truth

have stirred people, and for this reason you have numerous enemies who

have targeted you. May be they believe that if they can subdue the center and

origin of this movement, that is, Iran, other places will not need use of force

and they will automatically give up.

Role of the clergy in protection and furtherance of the revolution

Today the duty of the entire nation, particularly the clerics, preachers and

speakers, is to struggle to keep this movement and push it ahead. As you

have noticed, the masses are prepared to accept what the clerics or the

preachers say. Therefore, there is no excuse for the clerics, preachers,

speakers and Friday prayer leaders before God. At the time of Muhammad-

Rida and Rida you had the excuse that you could do nothing. Or you would

say that you could not fight with empty hands, that people were not ready to

listen to you, or that you were not allowed to talk. These were the excuses

back then, but today is there such an excuse? Is it acceptable before God? Is

it acceptable from speakers, writers and scholars wherever they are to argue

that since the revolution has got this far, we should be impartial and step

aside?

In the Constitutional Movement these very scholars were at the forefront

of the movement which originated and moved forward by ulama in both

Najaf1

and Iran2

. As much as they wanted the constitutionalist to materialize

and the constitution to be in place has found expression. However after it

occurred it was not followed up and people remained neutral and the clerics

went after their own business. That way the agents of foreign powers and

particularly the British worked to drive them out of the scene either through

assassination or propaganda. Their speakers and preachers tried to stop the

clergy from interfering in politics and to pass politics to those who were

capable in their own words, that is, the westernized and easternized forces.

They did what we experienced. That is, the name was constitutionalism but

in reality it was a dark tyranny, being worse than before and definitely worse

than previous period.

If the committed clerics, the nation, preachers, scholars, writers and

intellectuals weaken and do not learn from what happened to the

constitutionalism, the same will happen to the revolution. Today the enemies

1 Like; Akhund Khorasani, Mirza Husayn Khalili Tehrani and Mulla Abdullah Mazandarani. 2 Like; Fadlullah Nuri, Sayyid Muhammad Tabatabai, and Sayyid Abdullah Behbahani.


285

of the revolution are more than those of the constitutionalists. Today there

are two superpowers opposing each other. Back then, they were not present

so massively. Today, all superpowers together with their associates have

stood up against this revolution. Today, there no countries in the world which

have no form of dependence. If there are, they are just a few. They have all

stood against, this revolution, this divine revolution, in order to curb its wave

and to stifle it. The assassinations are all accomplished to this end.

Preserving Islam is the highest duty

Distinguished people who are actively engaged in running the country

and who are committed to Islam and religion are getting assassinated one

after the other as you see or taken from us as the result of explosions. Now,

foreign agents also work to eliminate those who are engaged in the affairs of

the country and who are committed to Islam.

If all of us, all of you, the entire nation, especially the clergy and

preachers are not present in the scene, rest assured that with your absence the

revolution will suffer the same fate that befell the Constitutional Movement,

in the long run. Preserving Islam is a divine duty superior to all others

. Thats, there is no duty higher than preserving Islam itself. If preserving

Islam is a great duty and the greatest duty, preservation of the Islamic

Republic is the foremost duty for all of us, all of you, the entire nation and all

the clerics. If it happens that the clergies step aside and do not try anything to

overcome problems, and preachers on their pulpits forget about the daily

concerns and issues of the revolution, this revolution will suffer. Islam has

been so far kept alive by the clerics. No stratum has got anything to do with

this issue except the clergies and the preachers following them. Since the

early days of Islam till now, Islam has been handed down to us by the clerics.

The other strata, the intellectuals and their like do not know much about

Islam. Even if they did, they did not have anything to do with such things. In

time of Rida Shah in particular, and Muhammad-Rida those who remember

know what happened. These very theological seminaries resisted and

preserved Islam despite all the bankruptcy they were made to face and

despite the blows they received from all sides. These same preachers were

the people who occasionally spoke and talked to people about issues either

explicitly or implicitly.

From now on neither I, nor you, the clergy, no writer has any excuse. We

should struggle hard to fulfill this divine duty and to further this Islamic

Revolution and the Islamic Republic. We should step up our efforts because


286

our opponents and the opponents of Islam increasingly heighten their efforts

and plots. We should also increase our efforts to defend the truth.

Keeping alive Muharram and remembrance of the sufferings Household (a)

You and we should keep alive Muharram and Safar by remembering the

sufferings of the Household (peace be upon them). Muharram and Safar are

blessed months through which Islam is kept alive. Islam has so far remained

alive by remembering the ordeals of the Household (may Gods peace be

upon them). This religion is alive, thanks to traditional way of remembrance,

and commemorating the martyrs of Karbala. Do not let the devils instill into

you that we have staged a revolution and should now talk about the issues of

the revolution and that the questions of the past should be forgotten. Never.

We should keep the Islamic traditions and these blessed Islamic

processions to commemorate Ashura in the months of Muharram and Safar.

We should emphatically call for greater attention to the event. It is Muharram

and Safar that have kept Islam alive. It was the selflessness of the Doyen of

Martyrs (may Gods peace by upon him) that has kept Islam alive for us.

Keep Ashura alive in it former traditional frame. The clergy, preachers and

the masses organize mourning processions in the same former order. You

should know that if you want to keep your revolution, you should preserve

these traditions. Of course, if there were unacceptable accretions in the past,

done by uniformed people, must be purged, and mourning the martyrs of

Karbala must be kept as strong as it was. After speakers talk about issues of

the day, they should keep the tragedies of Karbala as in the past and prepare

people for sacrifice.

It is the blood of the Doyen of Martyrs that stirs the Islamic nations. It is

the processions of Ashura that move people and prepare them for preserving

the objectives of Islam. There should be no laxity in this matter. Of course,

daily issues should be dealt with. The youths who have been deceived by the

hypocrites and their like should be advised from the pulpits, and called to

appreciate the truth. They should be made to understand that those who

instigate them to stand up against the Islamic Republic are on bad terms with

Islam. They want to destroy Islam by using the name of Islam. They have

never been on the side of the objectives of Islam. They used the Quran and

Nahj al-Balagha as tools to destroy them. And these uniformed youths,

uninformed girls and boys who have fallen victim to these evil propaganda

ploys and stood up against the nation and want to do something against it

should understand that they cannot do anything. If they take to streets and


287

start a riot, the people will teach them a lesson. Military and police forces are

powerful and will stop them. Why do you children and young adults waste

your blood? Come back to Islam. Leave these people who are leading you

astray. Repent before you are entrapped, as it would be difficult then.

The gentlemen should invite them to their sessions. We do not want the

youth who should serve their own country to work for America by those who

want to destroy Islam in the name of Islam. Finally, you who have so far

called people to Islam and moral virtues, make greater efforts today to

highlight both the daily issues and the corruption resulting from the acts of

these groups that struggle to disrupt the republic for the benefit of America or

the Soviet Union. You should remind the people of these and of moral

aspects. I should say that those who have been appointed to this very

important post and have volunteered to enter the rank of the clerics and

preachers must refine themselves and adapt themselves to the Islamic ethics

and act according to Islamic rules.

If, God forbid, there is any moral corruption among them, they have to

mend their ways and adopt themselves to Islam so that their words would

have an effect on people. If, God forbid, a speaker is morally corrupt, he can

not help others rid of sleaze by word of mouth. We should first refine

ourselves and then make efforts to reform others. The clerics should talk to

people from mosques, pulpits and wherever necessary, to remind them of

daily issues, moral and religious matters and subjects dealing with self-

refinement. They should guide people and familiarize them with Islamic

issues. They should relate the tragedy of Karbala at length. As it was

practiced in the past, they should relate materials in verse or prose to

highlight the virus of the Household and their sufferings so that people would

be prepared and present in the scene. People should get to know that our

Imams devoted their lifetime to propagate Islam. If they wanted to make a

compromise, all material facilities were provided for them, but they

sacrificed themselves for Islam and did not make any compromise with the

tyrants.

You should familiarize people with their own duties. People are also

called upon not to attend the marches as ordinary walks but as mourning

processions—the same traditional processions aimed at preserving the

Islamic aspects. Keep Ashura alive so that your country would not suffer

harm. You, the speakers have an important part to play in this respect. You

have a big responsibility as well. In fact, all ulama have both a big role and a

big responsibility. Everybody is responsible within his own capacity.


288

Theological Seminaries and the issue of Judgment

The ulama should help this Islamic republic; they should not sit and watch.

To sit idly as done in the early days of the Constitutional Movement would

generate the same and even worse calamities. Do not sit aside and argue that

judgment is so and so. Well, it is your responsibility to judge. Islam has

assigned the jurists to make judgment. You should not sit aside and say

judgment is not good? Can judgment improve automatically? With your

efforts, judgment will be good. The ulama of every theological seminary

should train judges. A country of about thirty or so million people needs

many thousands or so judges. Since we have never been authorized by

governments to take the seat of judgment, we have not thought about matters

related to judgment and have not learned much in this regard. Now we need

judges for judgment. We look for judges. The gentlemen who are capable of

being judges and who can help with judgment must train judges. They should

not sit aside and complain. It is easy to find fault but resolving it is difficult.

Well, since we are short of judges in this country, are the gentlemen not

duty-bound to train judges? Are theology seminaries not duty-bound to train

religious judges now that judgment is religiously oriented? Is it right to sit

aside and just raise voice? Primarily, objection is leveled against the

gentlemen who sit aside. The gentlemen should enter the arena.

Gentleman, Islam has come here today and wants to be implemented and

cries out for help! The help is that we need judges. Theology seminaries

should provide judges for courts. We need lots of judges; they should

provide. And if, God forbid, those who are engaged in judgment act out of

grudge and are crooked, they are accountable not only before the Exalted

God but also before the nation. The government will also sue them. We

should provide judges to the society; thats, theology seminaries should

provide judges. The jurists versed in judgment should train judges who in

turn train others so that the problem can be removed. The work is obviously

difficult, yet it should be accomplished. This ―must‖ rests with the ulama of

cities and theology seminaries, in particular.

Venomous objections to the Islamic Republic

If we keep aloof and leave the scene, who can take care of judgment?

Who will train judges? Do we not need judgment? It is claimed that we want

to make religious judgment. Who is to take care of it? Shall we step aside

and say that children have gone to make judgment! Well, you who are among

the dignitaries should come and train them. As a matter of fact, they are not

children; they seem children to you. No they are not children; these judges


289

are better than you. But do you who have sat aside and use your pens to

criticize the Islamic Republic mean that the nature of the Islamic Republic to

which you are objecting is questionable? Do you mean that the monarchical

regime is good? All the tyranny and oppression at their time and all the

corruption, fornication centers and bars and things like that are no longer

existing and you still say that time was better than the present. Could you

then raise any objection to them? Your tongues were either in their favor or

cut off.

Well, today we need judges and you say that these ones are young and

cannot judge. Ok, you come and judge. Those of you who are judges come

and take the seat of judgment. Why do you just criticize? The problem is in

you who fail to get involved. If you cannot judge, your age does not permit;

your health condition does not let you make judgment, train judges and do

other things. One should not sit aside and constantly raise objections to the

government. What this government has done for people in villages, the

monarchy did not do throughout its life. Anyhow, I told everyone coming

here about performance of the government. Let people know about your

efforts.

On the other hand, some keep telling people that this Islamic regime

came and did nothing for anyone. Well, this Islamic regime, which is

targeted from all directions, from within and from outside, has not been

permitted to take a breath. Nevertheless, the welfare brought by this regime

for the people in villages, in terms of road construction, communications,

housing, education, training and constructing schools in these three years is

greater than what the previous regime did in its lifetime despite all the

afflictions encountered by this government and despite all the troubles

created by friends and foes. Much more has been done than what had been

done during those two brutes. No one would come down from the sky to

improve this country. You and we are all responsible to do it. If you find

fault while you are faulty yourselves, you will be accountable before God.

Duty of the clerics and clinching the issue by God

The Exalted God has clinched the issue for us. He has confirmed this

nation who should take its destiny in its own hands. Others should not

interfere. He has confirmed the nation to replace the corrupt monarchical

regime by the Islamic Republic. He has confirmed that this nation pursue the

objectives of Islam. Whatever befalls the country, the people get involved. If

war breaks out, both old men and women support it. Well, when the nation is

like this and the population is like this, men and women of this country are


290

like this and they (Islam and people) have now been entrusted to you, instead

of sitting idle, you should join in hands and build this country. Do not sit

aside and nag. When Islam is the priority, when all are duty-bound to

preserve it, we should let others come and perform their duties when we are

not involved.

You say that there is disorder. Everybody accepts that. Who does not

accept it? Can a great revolution like this occur with everything in its proper

place? Well just take a look at the revolutions that have occurred in the

world. After sixty or so years of the Soviet they have not been able to put

things right, and still dictatorship reigns with all its power. Do you expect

everything to be set in order in three years despite all the enmities and the

troubles that the country has run into, while you are just sitting there and

nagging? Well, you are on your own and others are on their own. You should

come together and do something to save this country. Farmers should

cultivate. Thank God, it is said that this year is better than the previous ones.

Farmers are doing their job; and workers and owners of factories are doing

their job as much as they can. Well, what about us? What about the

preachers? What about the ulama? They too should do something.

They are the ones who can keep Islam; they are the ones who can keep

the faith of the people. They can keep the people prepared so that they will

not get hurt by these attacks from different directions. They too should do as

much as they can. I am an old man; I can say a few words and I must say

them. You the young should also speak out. The ulama in theology

seminaries should train preachers and especially judges. Everybody must do

his best.

In the month of Muharram, the students of theology should spread all

over the country. They have the same duty as the one I talked about. They

should call upon people to reform, invite them to the truths of Islam and

guide them. Invite the youths who have been deceived wherever you are and

in every village you go. Every city you go, you should advise these young

people to abandon devious groups and not to ruin themselves and their lives.

Tell tem that their leaders have fled and are seeking refuge in foreign

countries. They drive you to carry out such works. They cannot do anything,

but ruin themselves. We do not want you to get so much in trouble that there

is a definitive Islamic ruling which the courts can not overturn. We want you

to act in a way that the courts can acquit or release you. Do not do something

that the courts can have any way to help you and the Islamic final verdict has

to be implemented.


291

May God grant success to all of you and all of us stay on the straight path

of Islam and call people to Islam. May God grant the entire nation success so

that in this Ashura they can practice the past traditions. The mourning

processions should be as strong as ever and the processions of chest-beating

and wailing should be kept as strong as ever. Know that the survival of this

nation lies in recital of the tragedy of Karbala and in these meetings and in

these processions. In the Name Of God, May Gods peace be upon

Muhammad and his household, we pray to You and ask You… O God, we

swear You to the martyrdom of Abi Abdullah, to grant success to Islam and

Muslims and grant us success to serve Islam and Muslims to curtail the hand

of devils from this country and confer glory on the prominent ulama, the

preachers and the other strata of the nation.



292

Permission

Date: 1981 [1360 AHS / 1401 AH]



Audience: Sayyid Hasan Nasrullah, Lebanon


Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds, may Gods peace and salutation be

upon Muhammad and his pure progeny, and His curse be upon all their

enemies.

His Eminence Hujjat al-Islam Sayyid Hasan Nasrullah—may his graces

last—is authorized on my behalf to take charge of the financial affairs,

collect the religious funds and to spend the expiation alms and the poor-rates

for religiously prescribed cases. With respect to the two blessed shares, he is

also authorized to take and spend them for his expenses in an economical

way; and to spend half of what has remained on the great sadat—may God

increases their like—and on propagating the sacred can Shariah on and return

the other half to me.

And I admonish him, may God Almighty assist him, as we have been

admonished by the pious predecessors to keep company of piety, to evade

carnal desires and to be cautious in his worldy and after-world affairs. I hope

he will not forget me in his benevolent prayers.


brethren.



293

Speech

Date/Time: Before noon, October 28, 1981 [Aban 6, 1360 AHS / Dhul-Hijjah 29,

1401 AH]


Subject: Irans uncompromising stance toward the superpowers and supporting the

struggles of Palestinian and Lebanese nations

Audience: Members of Amal Movement Organization


No compromise with any of the superpowers

Right from the beginning of our struggle, the Palestinian and Lebanese

causes have always been an integral part of our objectives, not seperable

from Irans concerns. On the whole, a Muslim should not simply take care of

a certain sect of Muslims. Mr. Musa Sard is one of my sons. I regret his loss.

I have taken steps whether in Najaf or in Iran and hope we will see him

among us as soon as possible.

Since the region is on the threshold of a general Islamic movement,

America has worked out schemes so as to curb the hands of the defenseless

people of the region away from their destiny. Unfortunately, some states help

them; Fahad and Sadats1

plan is one of them. Assuming that American plan

is completely Islamic, we can not believe that they take a step in the direction

of peace and our interests. If America and Israel bear witness that ―there is no

God but God‖ we will not accept, because they want to deceive us. Those

who talk about peace want to drag the whole region into war. Do you expect

us to remain indifferent towards America, Israel and other superpowers that

want to swallow the region? No, we will never reach a compromise with any

of the superpowers; we will be under neither American domination nor

Soviet Unions. We are Muslims and want to live. We want to live a humble

life, but be free and independent. We do not want the progress and

civilization that causes us to stretch out our hands towards foreigners. We

want a civilization resting on dignity and humanity, which can keep peace.

The superpowers want to bring humanity under their domination. We, you

and every Muslim are bound to stand up against them and not to compromise

with them and reject plans like that of Sadat and Fahad. It is incumbent upon

1 The president of the republic of Egypt and the king of Saudi.


294

us to condemn such proposals which are not in the best interest of the

oppressed people.

I assure you that our concerns are inseparable from yours. But you know

very well that America and its internal agents did not leave us alone for a

moment. Therefore, if we did not help you properly, it was because we were

entangled with these criminals. We consider Lebanon as ours. Shiites in

Lebanon and Iran and all Muslims of the world are one and the same. We

hope to keep our unity.

The point I want to remind you of is that you should not listen to the idea

that ―it is not possible to encounter the superpowers‖. You can do if you

want, because God supports you. This concept, raised by the superpowers

through their agents, that you can not go on with your life unless you lean on

either of the two superpowers is completely wrong. Stand on your own feet

and stay firm and steadfast with God. Strive to progress in humanity before

any other progress. In this case, God will help us maintain our independence,

freedom and Islam. God willing you are successful.



295

Message

Date: October 29, 1981 [Aban 7, 1360 AHS / Muharram 1, 1402 AH]


Subject: Reply to a telegraph of congratulations on the new lunar year

Addressee: Shaykh Zayed bin Sultan Al-e Nahyan (President of the United Arab

Emirates)


Your Excellency Zayed bin Sultan Al-e Nahyan, President of the United

Arab Emirates,

I acknowledge the receipt of your telegraph of congratulations on the

new lunar year with appreciation. Reciprocally, I extend my congratulations

to you and the Muslim brothers of your country on the new lunar year. I hope

in this new year Muslims will make greater efforts to act according to the

holy Islamic rules and help this brilliant religion develop in the world. I also

hope that they will stop the uncommitted and wayward rulers who encroach

upon life and property of Muslims in the name of Islam and destroy

residential quarters and civilians with bombs and missiles as is being done by

the Baath Iraqi regime day and night. It is hoped that Muslims will not

refrain from displaying protest and resentment against such brutal acts. This

is the least duty an individual Muslim could do. Do not forget the prophet

who said: ―He who hears a man calling O, Muslims help me, and does not

respond to him, is not a Muslim.‖1 May Gods peace be upon you.


Muharram 1, 1402 AH

1 Usul al-Kafi; book of faith and disbelief, chapter on attending to Muslims affairs, H ith or narration no.1.


296

Message




Addressee: Shaykh Khalifah bin Hamad Al-e Thani (Emir of Qatar)


Your Excellency Khalifah bin Hamad Al-e Thani, Emir of Qatar,



to you and the Muslim brothers of your nation on the new lunar year. I hope

you will pay heed to the important issues taking place in the region. It is

hoped that you will not refrain from protesting and condemning such heinous

acts committed by Iraqi Baathist regime that raids residential areas,

scientific and health centers and innocent civilians with missiles day and

night. This is the least duty an individual Muslim can do. Do not forget the

prophet who said ―He who hears a man calling O, Muslims help me, and

does not respond to him, is not a Muslim.‖1



Muharram 1, 1402 AH

1 Usul al-Kafi, book of faith and disbelief, chapter on attending to Muslims affairs, hadith or narration no.1.


297

Message




Addressee: Ali Nasir Muhammad (President of Southern Yemen)


Your Excellency Ali Nasir Muhammad, President of the Supreme Council

of the Democratic Republic of South Yemen,



to you and the Muslim brother of Yemen on the new lunar year. I hope in this

critical situation where the enemies are devouring the Islamic countries from

all directions, Muslims will not be indifferent to the crimes taking place in

the region and protest and condemn such hideous acts committed by Iraqi

Baathist regime that raids residential areas and innocent civilians with

missiles day and night. This is the least an individual Muslim can do. Do not

forget the prophet who said ―He who hears a man calling O, Muslims help

me, and does not respond to him, is not a Muslim.‖1



Muharram 1, 1402 AH

1 Usul al-Kafi, book of faith and disbelief, chapter on attending to Muslims affairs, hadith or narration no.1.


298

Letter



Subject: Efforts of the deviants to undermine the popular image of the clergy



Aban 8, 1360 AHS / Muharram 2, 1402 AH

Your Excellency Ayatullah Shirazi—may your blessings last,

I received your letter that was expressive of your health. Regarding the

subject you pointed out, the officials are aware of these questions and they

have been duly reminded of it. God willing, nothing will be done against the

standards and without the devise and agreement of the prominent ulama.

I pray to God for your continued success and health. I hope you will not

forget me in your prayers.


Be careful lest the deviant people represent the clerics as supporters of

land-grabbers, criminals and usurers, as they have been try to do so.



299

Message




Addressee: Mamun Abdul-Qayyum (President of the Maldives)


Your Excellency Mamun Abdul-Qayyum, President of the Maldives,

I received your telegraph of congratulations on the new lunar year with

appreciation. Reciprocally, I extend my congratulations to you and hope that

you are aware about the situation our nation has been experiencing, with each

day our border cities being subjected to missile attack and fire bombs by the

Baath regime of Iraqi and mercenaries of criminal America. It is hoped that

in this critical situation you will not spare the expectation of our Muslim

people and will not refrain from protesting against these atrocities which are

unfortunately committed in the name of Islam. It will not be out of place to

remind you of holy narration in which the prophet said: ―He who hears a man

calling O, Muslims help me, and does not respond to him, is not a Muslim.‖1



Muharram 3, 1402 AH

1 Usul al-Kafi, book of faith and disbelief, chapter on attending to Muslims affairs, hadith or

narration no.1.


300

Exhortation Date: November 2, 1981 [Aban 11, 1360 AHS / Muharram 5, 1402 AH]


Subject: Rising up for God, eternal exhortation of the Quran


“Say I exhort you to rise up for God in twos or individually and then

contemplate.”1

This blessed short statement contains all requirements conducive to

happiness in this and the next world and involves all exhortations of the

grand prophets and Immaculate Imams.

May God grant us success in practicing it.


Muharram 5, 1402 AH

1 Surah Saba 34:46.


301

Message

Date: November 3, 1981 [Aban 12, 1360 AHS / Muharram 6, 1402 AH]


Subject: Explaining the mission of foreign-based Muslim students

Addressee: Islamic Association of Students in America and Canada


Islamic Association of Students in America and Canada

Dear brothers and sisters, your message of total commitment to Islam

and human values was received. I know about your activities and appreciate

it.

Committed youths throughout the history and particularly Muslim

students of the present generation and future generations are the hope of

Islam and Islamic countries. With their commitment, weapons, perseverance

and resistance, they can serve as the rescue ship for Islamic nations and their

own countries. The independence, freedom and progress of nations depend

on their efforts. They are the main target of the colonists and imperialists of

the world. Each power pole is intent on entrapping them, because by hunting

them, they can drag nations and countries into destruction and poverty.

And now, O dear youths, students, scientists and the present and future

hope of the Muslim nation the big trust of independence and freedom

obtained by the great Iranian nation from the two power poles of the East and

West through their sacrifice and struggle is entrusted to you. You have a big

responsibility. All the nations, especially Muslim students, who are the future

leaders, are responsible for safeguarding this great divine trust.

The opponents of the Islamic republic and your and our opponents both

inside and outside and the two superpowers have stretched their traps for the

youths. The great enemies of Islam with their preys and the agents of their

schools of thought have launched an all-out propaganda attack against you

and against your country here and abroad. We who are here inside and you

who are abroad must do our best to free the deceived youths from the trap of

these hunters. These uninformed young people who are not aware of having

fallen prey to the widespread trap of political players, have totally

surrendered to them and wholeheartedly accepted their lies and accusations

against the authorities of the Islamic Republic, the revolutionary guards and

Muslim devotees in the way of Islam and country. They devote themselves to


302

the chief frauds who destroy them in order to achieve their own inhuman

purposes. And unwittingly, these young adults offer the blood of the valiant

nation to these godless criminal America.

You, dear alert youths, come together with friends inside the country and

guide these uninformed youngsters and release them from the trap of the

hunters. One of the religious duties of our nation and yours is to uncover the

American and Zionists propaganda aimed at blemishing the image of the

Islamic Republic and isolating our country by spreading lies, libels and

rumors. Work to neutralize these sinister attempts. Help our nation as much

as you can, a nation whose only fault is their commitment to Islam,

independence and freedom. We should be sure that the great nation of Iran

has found its way that is the straight path of humanity, is consciously

prepared in different arenas and will not let the unbelievers to return to the

country. We must fight tooth and nail to defend our dear Islam and country.

Hopefully and with the help of God we will defeat the warmongers, isolate

the corrupt criminals, will overcome all problems with effort, will be

victorious on all fronts, and thanks to self-confidence and reliance on God we

will not fear any power.

The Islamic Revolution of Iran which is supported by God, is spreading

all over the world. God willing, with its spread, the satanic powers will be

forced to withdraw and the government of the poor will be set up. Thus, the

ground will be laid for the universal government of Mahdi at the end of time

(may God hasten his honorable reappearance and may our souls be sacrificed

for him).

Oppressed people of the world, it is high time you rebelled against the

arrogant vampires and take your right from them for God is on your side and

His promise is sure to be fulfilled. I pray to the exalted God to grant victory

to Islam.

Peace be upon the martyrs of the path of Islam and upon all the Muslims

of the world and salutations to the dear fighters of the land of Iran and peace

be upon you, the young Islamic Association Students in America, Canada

and all over the world. Carry out your human-Islamic duties in the heart of

satanic and tyrannical states and do not fear their power. Death and

damnation to the superpowers of the East and West, especially the criminal

America.




303

Message




Addressee: Shadhli bin Jadid (President of Algeria)


Your Excellency Shadhli bin Jadid, President of Algeria,

I received your telegraph of congratulations on the new lunar year with

appreciation. Reciprocally, I extend my congratulations to you and the

Muslim brothers of Algeria. I hope that in this year the world Muslim, with

more unity and complete insight, can save themselves and the oppressed

people of the world from the hegemony of the aliens, especially the criminal

America, and put a stop to the crime that, unfortunately are committed in the

name of Islam by the mercenary regime of Iraq which everyday and night

raids innocent civilians in our border cities with missile and bombs. There

should be no more indifference to the crimes ordered by the superpower

America and committed by mercenaries such as Saddam who have sold their

souls. I pray to God to save all Muslims and all oppressed people.



Muharram 11, 1402 AH


304

Message



Subject: Reply to a message of condolences and sympathy with the martyrdom of a

group of military commanders

Addressee: Muhammad Abdul-Aziz (Head of the Command Council of the

Republic of Sahara)


Mr. Muhammad Abdul-Aziz, Head of the Command Council of the Republic

of Sahara,

I received your Excellencys message of condolence on the martyrdom of

some dear commanders of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic1

and

appreciate your sympathy. I hope that you will stay alert at this critical

junture when the Muslim world has been the subjected to plots especially by

America. I also hope that you will avert conflicts and condemn the violators

of Muslims rights such as the mercenary Saddam and the bloodsucking

Baathist Iraqi regime. This godless criminal launches attacks against

residential areas and civilians with bombs and missiles, which have resulted

in the martyrdom of tens of innocent people and destruction of residential

houses.

May Gods peace by upon you.



1Messrs.: Falahi, Fakkuri, Namju, Kulahduz and Jahanara were martyred in a plane crash.


305

Decree



Subject: Appointment of Tabriz Friday prayer leader

Addressee: Muslim Malakuti


Since his Excellency Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Mr. Meshkini—may

his graces last—led Friday prayer in Tabriz temporarily, and has to return to

Qum Theological Seminary after the holidays, I thank him for taking the

trouble and appoint Hujjat al-Islam Mr. Muslim Malakuti whose experience,

knowledge and piety are known, as Friday prayer leader.

I hope he will be successful in managing the affairs, in attend to the

needs of the area and serving Islam and Muslims. I request the respected

people of Azerbaijan, especially the spiritual leaders—may their blessings

last—to support him. God willing, by consulting the ulama, he will be

successful in serving the Islamic Republic. I pray to God to grant happiness

and health to everybody and to grant glory to Islam and Muslims.





306

Speech

Date/Time: Morning, November 14, 1981 [Aban 23, 1360 AHS / Muharram 17, 1402 AH]


Subject: Importance of maintaining harmony and solidarity between government

and nation

Audience: Sayyid Ali Khamenei (President); Mir Husayn Musawi (Prime Minister);

members of the cabinet


Maintaining the existing solidarity between nation and government

I think that some of the changes which happened in Iran after the

revolution have something to do with what we have achieved. One of these

changes is the harmony between the government and the nation. Perhaps this

is on top of other changes. We must maintain this harmony at whatever cost.

If, God forbid, you lose this harmony, you will fail in your job and the

country will, God forbid, regress back to what it used to be before. I do not

think that aside from Iran, at least as far as I know, we can find such

harmony between the nation and the government. We do not have such a

thing; thats, the government does not have such a thing as discussing an issue

behind closed doors and then impose it on the nation just like Fahads

proposal.

The regional governments, all of them, we mostly have these

governments in mind, or to be more exact, most of them decide on things

without people and even without taken their interests into account. They do

not care about what the nation thinks about the issue. To them, the people

have nothing to do with it. If any where there is kind of a consultative

assembly, it is just an outward appearance like the consultative assembly at

the time of Muhammad-Rida and Rida Shah where there was just the form so

as to say they also had an assembly, but an assembly should be organized by

the nation itself without imposition. It should be the opinion of the nation

without having it forced on them. I do not think that you can find a place

where everything is in the hands of the nation and the government is made up

of the nation and serves it.

Neither you nor we want things to regress back to what they used to be

during the time of Muhammad-Rida or the time of Rida Khan. If we get

weak and do not maintain this harmony, there is fear that those who were


307

dealt a blow by Islam and those who are worried about the situation in Iran

and the whole region would do something and find a way to weaken the

country and create differences among the individuals of the nation and

between the nation and the government. They might find a way to install

another Rida Shah as the president of the Islamic Republic and not as a king

but as a president who is fully Islamic, practicing Islam more than you and I.

Thats why maintaining this harmony must be a top priority on the

governments agenda. Those in the government should not think whether

proposals or ideas must be accepted by the nation, even when they are not in

its interest.

You see that they go to America and come up with a proposal between

Egypt, Tel Aviv and Washington and later argue that this proposal must be

put into effect; they do not care about the Egyptian, Palestinian and Lebanese

nations. They do not care about the wrong done to them; they just care about

the interests of the superpowers with total disregard for nations. As you

experienced during the time of Muhammad-Rida and Rida Shah, the

government did not care about the nation because the traitor at the top did not

care about anybody. Rida Khan and Muhammad-Rida Khan did not care

about anybody. This treatment helped them impose their authority, because

there was only one person and its possible to reach understanding with one

person. The reason why they do not want the nation to get involved is that it

is not easy to build rapport with him. They do not want the nation to be

involved, as it is not easy to build rapport with a nation. But they can do that

with one president, with a prime minister or with a king and in this way they

can tell him what they want and he in turn imposes it on the people. The

people were not prepared and the superpowers did want them to be. And

governments ran things in way that they left the nation out of everything. The

idea was that: You are the rulers and must do everything by yourselves.

Now things have changed in Iran and the president must definitely

govern in coordination with the nation; the prime minister along with the

cabinet run all the affairs. In Iran there is no longer such a thing as ―the

nation has nothing to do with politics; we are the government‖. This is one of

the biggest changes in Iran that has helped you push ahead by the grace of

God. You cannot do what you are doing right now in Iran without having

harmony with the nation. Harmony with the nation means paying attention to

what they want. The people want a good governor who is upright. Well

suppose there is a governor in a given place who is not on good terms with

the people. You remove him and put in his place another one. And the

ulama in the cities do not want to rule, they just pay attention to the


308

interests of the people. They may say that a certain official is not compatible

with the interests of people. It is not an important thing; you just put him in

another place. Or if he is the sort of person who messes up everything

wherever you put him, just put him aside and forget him. The point I am

trying to make is that rapport between the nation and the government is when

there is understanding between the clergy and the nation.

You have seen how the clergy came under attacks during all this time.

Perhaps no one of you has experienced the time of Rida Shah to precisely

know what they did. The clergy came under all sorts of attacks because they

saw the clergy and the nation were in full agreement with each other. If they

stayed alive and established an identity, they would cal on people in case

they wanted to do something. Well, Rida Shah also saw that in many places

like Khorasan, Isfihan, Azerbaijan and other places the clergy were the ones

who triggered off the uprising. The main point is that they want to sidestep

the people from daily matters. Not having any contact with the people or

with daily issues is a big harm that occurs to governments while they are not

aware of it.

You should understand the point that whatever you have is from the

people. If it had not been for the people, especially the oppressed ones in the

poor neighborhoods of the cities, you would have been either in prison or in

exile or isolated. All of you would have sat at your houses without speaking a

word. If you had spoken, you would have been thrown in prison and

persecuted or exiled and so on and so forth. This nation came and helped you

out of all troubles, set up an assembly, approved of the Islamic Republic,

installed a government and elected a president for the republic. Whatever we

have is because of the people, especially the oppressed people. Those at the

top have nothing to do with the people; they are busy with their own business

and want to create discontent. Another point is that they had free outlet for

their carnal desires but now they do not. These free carnal passions urged

them to do whatever they wanted, have whatever parties they like and enjoy

whatever facilities they wanted. Now under the Islamic Republic such things

are not possible. Therefore, they either engage in sabotage or have nothing to

do with you. It was the people who saved you from torture and trouble and

put you at the helm of the government. As long as you have the people, no

harm will come to you from them, because they harm by drawing plans; they

do not kill the people. They want the nation to work for them, they do not

want to ruin the country; they want the country to flourish so as to benefit.

Yet, they draw up plans to cause a rift between the nation and the

government and between the government and the clergy. If this rift grows


309

wider little by little, it will cause discontent and the people will dissociate

from the government, in which case you should either have to use force or

step down.

Success in serving people a divine gift

This is a divine gift given to you, to all of us and to all Muslims. So, take

it and hold onto it. I would like to say the same to the president and the prime

minister and to all of you. Wherever you are and whenever you want to send

officials, make sure that they are in tune with the people. Just as you want to

be of the same view with the people they too should be one with the people

and with the clergy so as to have harmony with people. All the government

agent should have harmony with the people. This will lead to solidarity

between the nation and people and this way Iran will be protected and no one

can do anything against it. Their chief act is to create discord. First of all they

prefer to create discord among different nations, and if they fail to do so, they

will try to create discord between a nation and its government, as it is much

easier. They order countries to bring forward some proposals, then they

would say people might get angry, but they cannot do anything. In this way

they create differences. This difference can gradually reach a point that may

bring about their downfall.

This is the current situation in the region where a few people want to rule

over the whole region. They do not care about the nations because people

have nothing to do with them and with what they want. We say to the nation

and to all nations that they should know that today is not like yesterday.

Today, people are aware that a minority must not rule over an overwhelming

majority. People are aware of this point. In the Islamic countries people are

saying that they should have an Islamic republic. They do not want a

democratic republic, or anything western guised as Islamic. We do not want

another western monarchy now that we have got rid of our monarchy. Now,

all nations and almost all Islamic nations have become aware of this issue.

They want to have what happened in Iran. So, you should maintain this and

keep it going. You should keep it going with all its forms. God willing, you

should all feel that you are really servants of the nation.

Prophets and the spirit of serving

The prophets had such a feeling that they saw themselves as servants. No prophet imagined that

he was ruling over people. There was no talk of ruling. The great prophets and saints of God had the

feeling to guide and serve the

people. You too should have this feeling deep down in your hearts that we


310

have really come to serve the people and when we serve them we have

served ourselves; thats, if we can make this country push ahead under this

condition and with the preparedness of the people and their harmony with the

government, whatever happens to the government, the people will rush to

help. You may know that in the past soldiers were taken to the battlefields by

force. You saw how many people rushed to warfronts when I was asked to

announce we needed soldiers. I did not say a word and people flocked in

thousands till they said it was enough. They know they are going to war to

get killed. Such a nation which has undergone this change by the grace of

God should be appreciated. We should serve them.

Actually, when I see such youth, and compare their words and state wit

mine. I really feel embarrassed. God has placed them in our hands. This is a

divine act and no human can do it. If all humanity come together to convince

someone to volunteer for death they cannot do it. This is the work of God.

Therefore, the highest priority on the agenda of the government should

be creating rapport between people and the government. We should not just

say ―we have understanding.‖ You who are the minister of finance, make

sure you send individuals who are righteous and who are harmonious with

the people, not individuals who do just like what was done in the past. If the

minister of interior wants to send someone or want to send governors, he

should send governors who are in tune with people and the clerics, not

someone who can create difference that will gradually grow wider. When

there is a difference between the governor and a mullah, this difference will

be extended to lower levels. In such circumstances people will not desert the

mullah to gather around the governor. People naturally want the mullahs,

because they are the base of Islam. People want Islam and they are like the

representatives of Islam. Therefore, whenever anyone wants to send an

official to a given place, he should look carefully into the official and what

he is like. What he was like and what he should be like. And he should be

advised to have harmony with people and the clergy and that he should not

go there and start opposition people.

We should maintain these things. If these things are maintained, you will

not have to think that someone can harm you from the outside. God willing,

they cannot do anything. May God protect you. If you are at the service of

God, in whom God is interested, God will protect you. May God grant

success and victory to you. You people, the government, the president, the

parliament and other organs should join hands to fulfill your duties.



311

Speech

Date/Time: Before noon, November 15, 1981 [Aban 24, 1360 AHS / Muharram 18,

1402 AH]


Subject: Importance of propaganda and the need for coordination among

propaganda institutions.

Audience: Abdul-Majid Muadi Khah (Minister of Islamic Guidance) members of

the Islamic Propagation Coordination Council, and Bahman 22 Commemoration

Committee


Propaganda, the basis of harmony of a nation

As you know, the question of propaganda is very important.

Unfortunately, I should say that since the beginning of the revolution till

now, our propaganda outside Iran has been nil. Just inside the country we

have kept telling things to one another. Do you know that everyday in the

outside world the Iranian government and nation are presented as monsters?

Of course, they are spreading propaganda against us while they know that we

are not like this, but since they have lost all about humanity, they see us as

monsters. Unfortunately, they spread such propaganda to those who know

nothing. However, we are not thinking of a way out; our embassies have not

done anything nor can they do anything under the present circumstances.

The thing that you want to follow up is the coordination among all

institutions. This is very important. You should feel that it is in the interest of

our religion, school of thought and country when all go after carrying out a

job. Obviously, if each group does something, though it might not face any

disagreement at the initial stages, it will encounter opposition in the long run.

Since propaganda is the basis of any work and can either make for

disintegration or harmony of a nation, you should maintain your harmony

and unity. We can only be victorious by maintaining unity and harmony;

otherwise, we will collapse and once again come under the domination of

another power.

The government, the parliament and, above all, you should be

harmonious. Try not to make disagreement among groups the basis of

disagreement in propaganda. Your should serve Islam and in this way you

will not have disagreement. Discord belongs to the devil; there is discord

among these working God. If all the groups work for God and consult with


312

one another and cooperate with those who have more information, they

might be able to give the propaganda a new lease on life. Today, newspapers

and radios are always attacking us. You should also do something to

counteract their propaganda. The main point is that everyone should carry

out ones duty towards God; otherwise, if one wants to refrain from ones

duty, one will be defeated right from the beginning.

I call upon all of you and draw your attention to the fact that Islamic

books should be published. May God grant you the reward of the real

messengers, namely prophets. God willing, you will be successful.



313

Speech

Date/Time: Before noon, November 16, 1981 [Aban 25, 1360 AHS / Muharram 19,

1402 AH]1


Subject: Importance of preserving the Islamic Republic; role of the clergy

throughout history; treacherous plan of compromise with Israel

Audience: Officials of Martyrs Foundation from all over the country; the injured and

disabled people in Imam Khomeini and Mustafa Khomeini hospitals; families of the

martyrs of Karaj


Death of Alamah Tabatabai is a great loss to Muslims

At first, I would like to express my grief over the death of Alamah

Tabatabai 2

which is a great loss to the Theological Seminaries and the

whole community. I would like to express my condolences to you and the

Iranian nation, especially theological seminaries. May God associate him

with the servants of Islam and the saints and grant patience to his disciples

and surviving relatives.

Before I come here I met Mr. Karrubi3

who expressed his appreciation to

those in charge of the Martyrs Foundation in all the provinces, to the

government officials who know about these issues, and particularly

expressed gratitude to the Iranian people who care for these issues. I also

would like to express my appreciation and hope God will protect and grant

health to you, dear youths who are at the service of Islam and the disabled

youth who lost their health while serving Islam, I also pray to God to protect

families of the martyrs, to grant you health and recovery, and to give all of us

patience.

Of course, the Martyrs Foundation is one against which I have not heard

any criticism up to now. Mr. Karubi is a good servant for the martyrs and the

disabled. I hope you will all be successful in increasing your service and

consider these martyrs their families, the disabled and their families as part of

1 In hifeh-ye Nur, the date has been given as 26/8/1360 AHS. 2 Sayyid Muhammad-Husayn Tabatabai, a renowned commentator of Quran and philosopher

of the Islamic world. 3 Mr. Mahdi Karubi, head of Martyrs Foundation of the Islamic Revolution.


314

your family and do your best to serve them, as this service is great. Rest

assured that the Exalted God will reward you in both worlds.

Importance of preserving the Islamic Republic

In your presence and the presence of the nation, I would like to talk

about domestic issues as well as issue concerning the region. On the

domestic side, as one can sense and I have been informed, there is something

going on to create discord among the nation. They have not so far been able

to achieve success in any way. They took whatever measure: military action

and attacking the country. They created war, created disorder inside the

country, assassinated and carried out explosions. They realized that the

nation has become firmer and would not retreat from the arena. Obviously,

the nation should not leave the scene, because a nation which has risen up for

the sake of God and Islam and has been able to materialize the Islamic

system will not retreat by these plays and will fight tooth and nail this great

treasure entrusted to it. After the enemy was disappointed with these

different schemes was not able to gain something, it came to the conclusion

that the best way was, which is widely practiced in the world, was to divide

and rule. The enemy wants to create discord and the attempts to this end can

be easily sensed.

I would like to point out some of these currents and warn the nation to

stay alert. If they do not stay alert, it may get too late. I have been repeatedly

informed of some of these currents that some youth and some uninformed

persons have been deceived and they insult some maraji (religious reference

authorities). This issue has been noticed in different cities. You know that

insulting the religious authorities will result in nothing but creating dispute

among the nation, something that will not please God. I ask the entire nation

to advise these deceived young adults whenever the see them. Anyone

identifying these discord-provoking groups infiltrating their rank should

report them to the concerned authorities.

Today, we need solidarity more than ever before. Today, we are

suffering from all big powers who are plotting from inside and outside to

bring the downfall of this revolution and undermine the Islamic Republic.

Maintaining the Islamic Republic is an obligation for all; it is more important

an obligation than protecting just one person, even if he is Imam of the Time,

because Imam of the Time will sacrifice himself for Islam. All the prophets

from the beginning of the world up to the last one fought for truth and Gods

religion for which sacrificed themselves. The honorable Messenger and his

household made great sacrifices to protect Islam, that is a divine trust meant


315

to teach individuals and serve them. Everybody is duty-bound to maintain it;

that is, we are all duty-bound to keep it till the time when sufficient number

of people are there to rise up to maintain it. Then others will not be duty-

bound any more. Today, triggering discord, whatever it might be, and

discord-generating acts under whatever name and with whatever incentive

harmful to Islam and to the revolution.

In the same context, there is a current in progress to insult ulama and

Friday prayer leaders in different cities. This is a current aimed at taking the

clergy away from the people. If such a thing is realized, rest assured that we

will be defeated, because the clerics in all cities are guardians of Islam and

Islamic objectives, as they have always been.

Struggles of the clerics against colonialists

If it had not been for the clergy, we would have known nothing about

Islam. It was the struggle of the clerics, who are part of you, that has kept

Islam so far. Whatever problem afflicting Islam, they were at the forefront

and rose up. Sometimes, they were successful and at other times were

suppressed. As far as I know and as far as I saw there had been different

uprisings against Rida Khan and Muhammad-Rida all of which were

triggered by the clerics; they all had started from there but because the nation

was not united, they either did not succeed or were slightly successful. If you

and our nation do not keep the clerics, you should know that our destiny will

be similar to the destiny of the constitutionalism where the clergies did this

job in the right way and curtailed the hands of oppression, but again because

the nation was not united, because there was not any harmony among the

clerics and because there was not complete obedience, they orchestrated the

constitutional movement, but others came and turned it into a worse

oppression in the name of which was a misnomer. They used to say that Iran

had a parliament, a constitution, that they were constitutionalists, but

dictatorship in its fullest sense governed us, whether at the time of Gajar

which I remember—or after that at the time of Rida Khan which was the

worst period that this nation experienced or at the time of Muhammad-Rida.

You should know that they want to drive the clerics out of the scene and

present a bad picture of the clerics to the people.

Just today morning and before I came here, one of the ulama from

Isfihan came to me and complained about how the clerics are being treated. I

do not whether he has been told the truth or not, but the obvious point is that

they want to do without the clerics. You saw that prior to these latest

republics, at the outset, something was going on to defile the clergies using


316

lies and fraud. Mr. Beheshti—may God have mercy on him—was someone

who fought for Islam and suffered. He was an active man, a scholar, a

manager with discretion ability, but you saw how he was defamed in the

country by the villains who drove the people away from him. Then came a

time when the people woke up to the fact that Beheshti was not at fault. I am

afraid that—God forbid—there comes a time when our nation wakes up and

finds that the clerics have gone and the hegemony of the aliens is back and

then there is no point in being sorry; just like what happened at the time of

Imam Husayn—may Gods peace be upon him—where the image of the

prophets son was projected in such a way that the people of Kufa who saw

his father and his struggle competed to kill him and then they woke up and

realized when Imam Husayn was not among them.

My fear is that you great Iranian people who rose up for the sake of God,

who offered your youths for God, who made enormous efforts and who

sacrificed everything for Islam realize that the thing which is happening will

banish the clerics who are your servants, bring a tyrannical government in the

name of Islam and Islamic government and in the name of the servants of

Islam and cause all your blood and efforts go to waste. When Rida Khan

came to power he beat his chest in mourning processions, went to religious

theatres, walked around them and lit candles. When he firmly established

himself, this indecent man worked to remove all traces of Islam. All over the

country sessions to recall the tragedy of Karbala were carried out covertly. If

there was any session it would be held at midnight and before the call for

morning prayer. You should fear that if you do not thank God for this gift;

namely, Islam and its unity and if you do not thank Him for the respect

toward the saints of Islam, God might take away his gift and—God forbid—

we will go back to where we were before and we will go back to past times.

This is the point I want to tell to the Iranian people and to perform my duty

toward them. You should stay alert about those groups that either have been

deceived or are unaware or hypocrites who have infiltrated and want you to

disintegrate you by creating different groups such as the followers of this

religious authority, the followers of that religious authority, the followers of

this crowd and the followers of that mullah. Gradually, they will do without

the mullahs and take this victory away from you. This is the point I wanted to

talk about.

Fear of dispute among the committed groups

I was informed of another point, that is disputes among the groups

committed to serving Islam. In some countries these same groups have


317

disputes with other groups that are committed to serving Islam too. I warn

these groups wherever they are and whoever they are to be careful that the

criminal hands of the aliens want to implant disputes in every way possible.

If you want to serve Islam, you should be united in order to serve it. But if

each one of you wants to work on your own, this will only give way to

dispute. Rest assured that though this dispute among the committed groups is

well-meant, it will get to a point where at one time—God forbid—it ends in

armed war, and your enemies want just that. Well, I am sure that you are

more alert than to get involved in such things, but I deem it necessary to

remind you. We should discord everything that smacks of dispute and

hypocrisy.

Right now you are being targeted from all directions of the world, that is,

the revolution has projected such an image in the world that all the

superpowers are afraid lest they lose the Islamic countries and other countries

because of this revolution and this real image which draws the attention of

all. That is why they try hard and with all their power to crush the center of

this Islamic revolution and the best way to do this is from within domestic

discord and internal strife.

Beware lest you and all Muslims be duped. They might come in such a

way as to deceive the young by telling them that this Islamic Revolution is

just like the one in time of Muhammad-Rida Shah and even worse and that

the clerics do nothing except corruption. They deceive the young with such

words. This has got to do with domestic issues which are important.

A warning against Fahads plan

As far as the issues of the region are concerned, the most important

things being discussed now are the plans brewed by America, Israel and their

agents. These are the plans which the Islamic states and Arab states want to

impose on all. This plan does not have any positive point. And those who

have imagined that this plan has positive points either have no idea about

what is going on or have other problems. There is no positive point in this

plan. Our country and our nation has offered all these martyrs and all these

disabled, many of whom are present here—may God heal them—for Islam

and we do not think of Islam as confined to Iran. Islam is everywhere. Egypt,

Sudan, Iraq, Hijaz, Syria and other places have the same Islam. We cannot

think of ourselves as separate from other Muslims. We have suffered all

these damages and offered all these martyrs, disabled ones and the homeless

for Islam. We did our best for Iran simply because it is an Islamic country.


318

We cannot consider Arabs and their destiny as separate from us.

Similarly, we cannot consider their destiny as separate from ours either.

Everywhere is Islam and we are all Muslims and we are part of them;

therefore we are all duty-bound to preserve Islam everywhere. We are duty-

bound to guide as much as we can. These Islamic countries are today

thinking of this extremely harmful plan and want to have it approved. We

must remind the Islamic nations and countries of what they are about to do. I

declare this plan dangerous as far as this issue and Islam are concerned.

Those who presented this plan are either ignorant or under the influence

of America and Zionism. The same is true about those who see any positive

point in this plan. The only point is that Israel will be officially recognized.

One of the objections to these proposals is that Israel will be officially

recognized and granted security. If all the other points were positive with the

exception of these two, these two points outweigh others. ―To be given

security‖ means that Israel which for a long time has usurped Muslims lands

and committed genocides in Palestine, Lebanon, and other places, displaced

Muslims, endangered their honor and lives and victimized them for its own

corrupted purposes, should now be granted security by Muslims; that is, if

anyone attack this tyrant, all Muslims and all the countries of the region are

duty-bound to oppose him in order to keep Israel, the same country that has

sucked, the blood of Muslims, killed and plundered them and done many

atrocities against Palestine and Lebanon. Now we are all duty-bound to

protect and reward it by providing its security. We should officially

recognize the country which right from the start entered Palestine and Quds

by force and did whatever it could by force. I mean Arab countries should

officially recognize this infidel and corrupt regime and reward it after all the

crimes it committed. If by positive point, as some claim, is the article that

states Israel should retreat to the borders of a certain war, this is a negative

point. This means that Israel should continue seizure of all the places it has

captured except a few places. This is like we strike peace accord with Iraq

and accept that this part of Khuzistan is ours and that part theirs. This is one

of the negative points; all other points are also in favor of Israel. This way

Israel will rule over the Arabs.

I warn Muslim nations, especially Arab nations and Islamic armies and

states that drawing this plan in a secret place way without awareness of the

nations will only cause you to be enslaved by Israel. You will then be their

slave to the end of your life and have to serve Israel and America handcuffed

and blindfolded. As far as Islamic nations and Arabs are concerned, there is

nothing more disgraceful than accepting this plan which is completely


319

against Islam. It is a disgrace to Arabs to accept Israel as their master. I warn

all that if this plan is passed, Israel will tomorrow take Medina and Mecca

out of your hands.

Compromise with Israel is treason to Islam

O, Nation! Stay alert, wake up governments and oppose the schemed

designed by this infidel and profligate man. America has masterminded this

plan and is using every possible means to make them surrender. It has

deployed its own Commandoes and army in the region. It has conducted

maneuvers and demonstrations to intimidate the regional countries. If

governments get intimidated, nations should stay alive and fear nothing. If

we all get exterminated, it is better than being humiliated by Zionists and

America. This is a long stride taken on American orders to humiliate Arabs

and Muslims. It is a disgrace to any Arab to accept such humiliation just to

secure little authority in the country and to gain some benefits. It will also be

a disgrace to us if we keep quiet.

Such countries are either mindless of what is going on or deliberately

committing an act of treason against Islam, Arab nations and Muslims by

passing this plan that is totally useless because nations are against it. There is

no Islamic nation that accepts to be an agent of Israel and America. Suppose

that governments pass this useless plan, nations and Muslims are against it.

These countries should push this idea out of their mind just as they did

before. They should do it now. That is to say, they should value their nations.

What right does a Shaykh, a president, a king to govern a country and

sacrifice a country for the interests of Israel? Governments should wake up.

By passing this plan, they are burying themselves alive. From now on, the

idea should not cross their mind that ―we are government and nation has

nothing to do with state affairs.‖ You are nothing in the face of people. It is

the people who should get things approved. Of course, we had this problem

at the time of Rida Khan and Muhammad-Rida Khan who did not care

about the nation. This mentality that His Highness was everything and others

were nothing prevailed at that time. But the Iranian nation broke this

mentality and made people understand that nation is everything and

governments should act according to the inclinations and interests of the

nation. Now, our government, our parliament and all military and civil

organizations serve the nation. No one of them thinks of governing people

and imposing its will on the nation. Other nations must do the same thing.

There is no other way except rising up against this contract and crooked plan.

Make sacrifices to doom this plan to failure. Assuming that they get the plan


320

passed, people should oppose it. They should know that with their

opposition, this plan would not be put into operation.

I beseech the Exalted God to wake up the entire Islamic nations, all

governments and the youth. I send this message out to schools and

universities in different countries.

These university-going youths, writers, speakers, scholars, army men and

all of them should oppose this sinister plan aimed at enslaving the Arab

nations and handing them over to Israel. Whoever does not oppose it is a

traitor to Islam. Know that if a nation is dead set against something,

governments can not put it into effect. Today is not like yesterday when a

government would do whatever damned thing it wanted to do. No, it must act

in ways identical to the correct inclinations of the nation; it must be an agent

for the nation, not master of the nation. He should not build a golden palace

while his nation lives in poverty. May God enlighten all of us, all of you and

all the Islamic nations. May God endow upon us a light of guidance so that

all of us serve Islam, the Exalted God and obey the Messenger.



321

Statements



Subject: Preserving the Islamic Republic

Audience: Clerics and representatives of revolutionary institutions of Javanrud


This meeting and gentlemen are blessings of Islam. In the past, colonial

hands were at work to keep the brothers apart. I hope we all do our best to

preserve this republic so that it would become a model for all the Islamic

countries. If there is a partial difference generated by some individuals, do

not pay attention to it. Lets all come together and push this republic ahead

with unity of expression. I wish you success.


322

Permission Date: November 20, 1981 [Aban 29, 1360 AHS / Muharram 23, 1402 AH]



Addressee: Haydar-Ali Jawadi


Praise be to God the Lord of the worlds, may Gods peace and salutation be

upon Muhammad and his pure progeny and His curse be upon all their

enemies.

His Excellency Thiqqat al-Islam Shaykh Haydar-Ali Jawadi—may his

successes last—who devoted part of his life to acquisition of religious

sciences, is authorized on my behalf to collect religious funds and the blessed

shares, to spend the sadats share in their locality, to spend half of the

Imams share—peace be upon him—on spreading the sacred Shariah and to

send the other half to me to be spent on the sacred theological ceremonies—

may God protect them.

And I advise him, may God Almighty assist him, as we have been

advise by the pious predecessors to keep company of piety, and to evade

carnal desires.


brethren.




323

Permission Date: November 20, 1981 [Aban 29, 1360 AHS / Muharram 23, 1402 AH]



Addressee: Sayyid Ali-Akbar Muhtashami


Praise be to God the Lord of the worlds, may Gods peace and salutation be


enemies.

His Excellency Hujjat al-Islam Sayyid Ali Akbar Muhtashami—may his

graces last—is authorized on my behalf to collect religious funds and the

blessed share, to spend them on spreading the sacred Shariah and reviving

the pure Islam and to send what is left to me to be spent on sacred theological

seminaries—may God protect them.

And I advise him, may God Almighty assist him, as we have been

advised by the pious predecessors to keep company of piety, and to evade

carnal desires.


brethren.




324

Decree

Date: November 22, 1981 [Azar 1, 1360 AHS / Muharram 25, 1402 AH]


Subject: Granting amnesty to convicts

Addressee: sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardabili (Chief Justice)


Your Eminence Imam Khomeini, Leader of Islamic Revolution—may your

sublime presence endure;

With salutations and wishing good health for that honorable leader—may

our souls be sacrificed for him. Based on the proposal of the Prosecutor

General of Revolution about granting amnesty to convicts, attached is the the

process-verbal and the list of 1932 convicts to be granted amnesty pending

your approval.


I agree with this.1


1/9/1360 AHS

1 According to the duties and authorities of the leader stipulated in article 110 of the Constitution.


325

Speech

Date/Time: Morning, November 23, 1981 [Azar 2, 1360 AHS / Muharram 26, 1402

AH]


Subject: Conspiracy to generate internal dispute to undermine the Islamic Republic

Audience: Sayyid Abdul-Husayn Dastghayb (Imams representative and Shiraz

Friday prayer leader) and Friday prayer leaders in the provinces of Fars, Bushehr,

Kohkiluyah Buyer-Ahmad


Conspiracy to create dispute between people and clerics

I would like to thank all the ulama for taking the trouble to come to my

humble house so that I would benefit from their presence. I have already

talked about issues concerning Iran. Once again I would like to tell the

clerics that all these conspiracies against the Islamic Republic, that has

threatened the interests of the superpowers, have proved fruitless.

Apparently, these conspiracies aim at triggering internal dispute. If the

conspirators can do such a thing internally, they would not need to do

anything from outside.

Within the country, there are two major types of plots they can restore to:

One is to keep the clergies apart from people like the situation we

experienced during thee reign of Rida Khan. This attempt was pursued years

after Rida Khan. Whenever a clergy did something, they would stir a rumor

against him and flayed this class. They wanted to dissociate the people from

the clergy. To some extent they were successful in impressing some classes.

Now, more than ever before they have felt that Iran has become integrated.

Everybody follows clerics in his/her own way. If there is anything to be

done, they are the clerics who do positive works. That is why today more

than before the opponents have taken notice of this point. In many places

they want to sow discord between the clerics and the people.

Of course what is needed is for the clerics to take note that wherever they

are and whenever they find such hands that want to create discord between a

clergy and another clergy or between a clergy and the people, they should not

let them do it. They should put a halt to it and not let it grow. This is a very

important issue that you should appreciate. The Friday prayer leaders should

also warn people every time they give a sermon. So should the

congregational prayer leaders who are in touch with people. Take care not to


326

let that rift grow wider. Whoever wants to intrude to create any discord must

be stopped from the start. One example of such attempts is the hypocrites and

deviants who insult the clerics, thus laying the foundation of discord. In the

name of being friends with this or that maraji they want to insult a great

maraji (religious authority), thus causing disunity in the country. This is one

of the important things that must be stopped. If the gentlemen see such a

thing and if Friday prayer leaders sense that these hypocrites want to make

mischief they must stop it.

Dramatization of weak points by the enemy

Another point of which the clerics are aware is that those who are against

the clergies want to find a weak point and magnify it. Suppose if there is

someone in charge of judgment or in charge of an executive work or even

one of the Friday prayer leaders who acts in a way that is wrong in their eyes,

they make a big thing out of it and rub it in till they get what they want. They

want the clerics to lose face. The clergies must heed that if—God forbid—a

young theology student or young clergies do something unpleasant or—God

forbid—not in line with religion, those who do not want this country to be

calm would exploit it.

Another thing is that they are thinking of implanting discord among

organs such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Basij and others that

are part of the people. The clergies and ulama who have sensed this threat

should seriously defuse it.

As for the issue brought up by the gentleman about both Fars Province

governor and consultation of different departments with the clergies, I have

recommended these two and advised them that if they want to preserve the

country and if they do not want to get hurt, they must do things after

consulting the clergies in each area. They are familiar with local issues, but

governors are usually from outside of the province so they do not know much

about it. You must consult. The aim of the clergies is to strengthen Islam and

to eliminate the problems of the oppressed people.

I wish you success in all the issues of which I have reminded you. I hope

a competent governor will be appointed Fars Province as soon as possible. I

ask all the clergies to pray for me. I hope that this country which has

curtailed the grip of aliens, who are seriously trying to infiltrate will be able

to ward off all the dangers through the efforts of the clergies, the people, the

government, the army and other groups. Thank God now no power from the

outside can do anything. If we trust the Exalted and Almighty God and turn

to Him and to the Imam of the Time, we will not get hurt. With this


327

motivation, we will push ahead, God willing. May the Exalted God protect

all the clergies and help all of us in our religious duties.



328

Speech Date/Time: Morning, November 24, 1981 [Azar 3, 1360 AHS / Muharram 27, 1402

AH]


Subject: Need to investigate and solve the problems of displaced people

Audience: Different strata of people, officials Foundation of the Deprived and

Foundation of the War-Stricken, the war disabled and displaced and Deputy Interior

Minister


Transformation of the nation by Gods grace

It is the grace of God that is behind the changes in the country. Do you

think that if all humans came together to change a heart, they would succeed?

It is God who changed the hearts of this nation overnight and persuaded them

to stand up against the great satanic powers and cut off their hands from the

country. It is the hand of God that took care of the displaced and the war-

stricken people and helped them put up with the shortages and hardship, and

even of help to others. It is the power of God that encourage you to serve the

poor in the Foundation of the Deprived.

The providential hand of the Exalted and Omnipotent God made this

people strong and changed it into divine people who rose up for God and

who keep it up for God. They fight for God in the war fronts and render

services for Him behind the fronts. It is for the sake of God that they work in

the Foundation of the Deprived and for Him they endure hardship. It is the

power of the Exalted God that made these young ones love martyrdom.

These young people come here and insist that I pray for them to be martyred.

I say to them to be successful and, God willing, you will get the reward of

martyrs.

Material problems are bearable

You who are in charge of the affairs of war-stricken people try to handle

the problems efficiently. I know it is a very hard task and can not be done

quickly. If the government wants to perform this task in a routine way, it will

not have the ability to do it. It is again the hand of Providence that has

persuaded the young to work for their war-affected brothers, sisters and

children and to alleviate their troubles. Again it is the Exalted God Who

made these war-stricken people help in performing the task and made them


329

resist, though normally they should be discontented. Today, Mr. Mirsalim1

informed me that these war-stricken people turned into a power against

Saddam. This has been achieved by the divine grace, it will continue to be

with us, and hopefully no harm will come to us.

Of course, we know that both in the activities of the Foundation for the

Deprived and in running the affairs of the war-affected people there are some

inadequacies. Moreover, there are devils who keep saying things with the

intention of weakening these brothers who are working for God, but God has

kept your hearts and made you wise up to their machinations, rendering these

machinations ineffective and keeping you prepared. We are grateful to God

that the whole nation men, women, the young and old have devoted

themselves to serve Islam and will do so until the final victory is secured.

I know what our brothers and sisters in the south and the West are going

through and it affects me. It affects all the believers and Muslims. But you

should know that these helpless efforts which are contrary to the standards of

all the countries of the world and contrary to the standards of all wars, and

raiding cities from outside by missiles and such cowardly acts are sign of

their weakness. Those who were driven out of Abadan and were

disgracefully defeated and will be expelled from other places and defeated in

the same way cannot confront us. They just fire missiles at houses, mosques,

hospitals and places where innocent people live. But we are in the right and

the Iranian nation is in the right and we have stood up against oppression.

Right from the beginning, the Iranian nation rose up against oppression and

atheism with a view to set up an Islamic Republic and to free themselves

from foreign shackles. This is a divine purpose; this is the point that Islam

has underlined.

You the brothers who are fighting in the theater, the brothers who

suffered from the war and you brothers and sisters who have been bereaved

know that all your sacrifices are for the sake of God and the Exalted God will

make them up for you. I hope, God willing, that this war will soon be over

that devastations incurred on us by these unbelievers will be addressed, the

houses will be built better than before, and the normal life will resume for

these dear Muslims and the people living in the south and west of the

country.

The main point is that because we are in the right and we want to put into

practice the Islamic rules, we will bear all these blows. We are not the only

ones suffering these blows. Throughout history and from the time of Adam

1 Mr. Mustafa Mirsalim, head of the Foundation of the War-Stricken.


330

(peace be upon him) up to now, you see that all prophets, saints and the great

religious men stood up against oppression and were hurt, burnt and hacked

into two halves by axe. They did the same in Karbala and to the offspring of

the Messenger of God, but because it was for God and because they were in

the right, all problems seemed easy. Material problems pale before

spirituality. Those who are equipped with spirituality and are connected to

God and to the source of revelation cannot be distracted from their aim by

material affairs.

Value of working for the oppressed and the war-stricken

I hope that you who are working for the oppressed people and war-

stricken people will take into account that your motivations are Islamic-

human. You should know that you are acting in obedience to the Exalted

God for whom you have risen up and your reward will be equal to the reward

of fifty, sixty years of worship. I hope this country which has come this far

with this power, commitment and vigilance since the beginning of the

revolution will remain so and this revolution will remain till the original

owner comes and I, you and the nation will give him this trust.

You the committed people who work for the Exalted God should not get

discouraged by such things as criticism which might be directed at you by

some corrupt element whether in the Foundation of the Deprived or the

Foundation of the war-stricken. You are doing this job for God and he, who

does anything for God, is victorious. Do your jobs with power and attend to

the affairs with power. You should know that attending to the affairs of the

oppressed and the war-stricken people who are the servants of God and

whom God takes care of, is a great act of worship. May God grant victory to

all of you and patience to the war-affected and to those who have lost their

young ones and their families.



331

Message



Subject: Necessity to keep and safeguard Islam and the Islamic country

Occasion: Formation anniversary of Basij

Addressee: Basiji forces and the nation of Iran


Endless salutations to the great Iranian nation people who have bravely

resisted against every event and threat, and have been ready to sacrifice their

lives and property in the cause of the Exalted God and the Islamic Republic

which is committed to putting into effect the illuminating and progressive

Islamic rules. Salutations to the armed forces and combatants who are

looking forward to meeting God and who keep on fighting along the holy

path with love and enthusiasm. They fight for their beloved country with

everything they have in the front and behind the front till final victory. May

Gods peace and mercy be upon the Basij forces who rightly back the Islamic

Revolution and who continue with their valuable efforts. Thank God, with

the effort of the brave youths and volunteers, two million combatants have

been trained. I hope that with the active participation of devoted people we

will have a 20-million strong army to safeguard the Islamic Republic and the

beloved country, protecting it against the dangers of the transgressing

superpowers.

Dear great youths! You should know that preserving and safeguarding

Islam, the Islamic country and the religion of truth is a great act of worship

for which great prophets and saints (may Gods salutations and peace be

upon them) have done their utmost and made every sacrifices since creation

till now. Training and teaching military tactics for this purpose is among the

highest values, and as ling as you youths, and other strata of people are

present with such enthusiasm and awareness, no harm will come to the

country and the Islamic Republic.

You, the great nation, who want to defend Gods religion and the country of

the Imam of the Time (may our souls be sacrificed for him) rest assured that

the hand of the Omnipotent God will protect you and His prescient

Providence will render ineffective the seditions of villains and conspiracies

of the East and the West.


332

Dear nation, as the satanic powers on every side are aiming at bringing

the downfall of the Islamic Republic because they no longer have access to

money of this oppressed nation, we must all do our best to overcome the

problems of the beloved country and make every effort to further the goals of

Islam. Every group in every position should work towards this sublime

Islamic goal.

In passing legislations submitted to them by organs, parliamentarians

should hasten to scrutinize them and take into account the Islamic standards.

They should invite and consult specialists whenever there is a need to

examine some points. The Guardian Council should supervise the laws that

are passed and should give their view with respect to religious primary or

secondary laws. They should consider all aspects. Statesmen should hasten to

enforce the above-mentioned laws. In case of encroachment of any law by

whatever stratum or group, the violator should be taken in to courts to get

their penalty. The judiciary with its hard and valuable task should resolve the

major problems of the judicial branch in a speedy way and should bring to

court anyone in breach of law to get their penalty. The combatants, military

and paramilitary forces, committees and popular forces from different strata

should make efforts in furthering the war in the fronts and to put a curb on

the evil acts of the hypocrites and deviants by enlisting the aid of information

passed to them by two million committed people who are working hard day

and night. The Reconstruction Jihad, the Foundation of the Deprived and

those in charge of the affairs of the war-stricken and the displaced should

increase their active power. I congratulate the Iranian nation and the

committed and faithful youth on this anniversary, and should increase their

commendable efforts in training and educating the youths and teenagers.

Committed writers, intellectuals and mass media should augment their

propaganda operations to counteract the massive propaganda of the enemies

of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Cultural Revolution Council should

make efforts to reopen the universities with the help of the oppressed people

and the scientists, and to consult the scholars about this vital issue. The

honorable nation should be harmonious with those in charge to tackle all the

war, military, economic and cultural problems.

The holy theological seminaries all over the country should make more

efforts in training religious judges, preachers, jurists and scholars because

need for this class is greater than ever before. Therefore, seminaries should

focus their attention on them. Spiritual leaders, Friday prayer leaders and

respected preachers should step up their efforts to guide people. They should

make people aware of the ways and means to safeguard Islam and the Islamic


333

republic and remind the committed masses of people to participate in the

military, economic, social and cultural affairs of the country. Advise people

to help with the economy of the country, which is our most important

concern today, by avoiding frugality and dissipation. People should deposit

their money in state banks so as to keep the economic wheel of the country

spinning. This is one way they help the Islamic government. People should

not forget to help with the war and the war-stricken people. Be diligent in

taking part in Basij and work hard to educate and train people to safeguard

the beloved Islam.

In a nutshell, today the Exalted God has entrusted the Iranian nation with

the Islamic Republic. We are all responsible for keeping this trust and all

people must trust in the Exalted God, observe unity of expression and avoid

dispute. We should safeguard the Islamic Republic and continue with our

straight human and Islamic path by the grace of God.

I beseech God to grant success to all in serving His creatures and the

holy religion.



4/9/1360 AHS


334

Decree



Subject: Appointment of superintendent of the holy shrine of Hadrat Ahmad ibn

Musa ibn Jafar (Shahcherag) and Hadrat Mir Sayyid Muhammad in Shiraz

Addressee: Muhammad Mahdi Dastghayb


Hujjat al-Islam Haj Muhammad Mahdi Dastghayb—may your graces last,

In order to run the affairs of the two blessed shrines of Hadrat Ahmad bin

Musa bin Jafar (Shahcheragh) and Hadrat Mirsayyid Muhammad, you are

appointed as the superintendent of the above-mentioned two holy shrines. I

wish you success.



5/9/1360 AHS


335

Statements Date/Time: Morning, November 26, 1981 [Azar 5, 1360 AHS / Muharram 29, 1402

AH]


Subject: Efforts to overcome problems and keep the spirit of unity

Audience: Izadi (Friday Prayer leader in Najafabad) and the officials of the city


[In his meeting with the Friday prayer leader in Najafabad and the officials of

the city, Imam Khomeini appreciated their effort and said:]

Tell the people that the country is yours, try to overcome its problems

and do your best to keep this spirit of divine unity.

Extend my best regards to the people of Najafabad in general and to the

families of the martyrs in particular.

[At the end Imam appreciated the efforts of the Friday prayer leader of Najaf-

Abad and its officials and prayed for their success.]


336

Statements Date/Time: Before noon, November 26, 1981 [Azar 5, 1360 AHS / Muharram 29,

1402 AH]


Subject: Priority to investigate into revolutionary institutions

Audience: Mustafa Muhaqqiq Damad (Chairman of the General Inspectorate

Organization)


You must give inspection of the institutions of the revolution top priority.

If in your inspection you notice that one of the individuals related to the

revolution, whether from the clerics or others, has committed an offense,

immediately turn him to the judicial authorities to be sued through the

Supreme Judicial Council.


337

Statements Date: November 28, 1981 [Azar 7, 1360 AHS / Safar 1, 1402 AH]


Subject: Need for consultation in tasks

Audience: Sayyid Husayn Musawi Tabrizi (Prosecutor General of the Revolution);

Muslim Malakuti (representative of the Imam and Friday prayer leader of Tabriz);

Angaji, Garori, Ashrafi and Muhaddithi


[Imam Khomeini in meeting with the ulama of Tabriz along with Ayatullah

Malakuti, Friday prayer leader of the city once more underlined the role of

the clergies and provided guidelines, saying:]

The clergies should continue consulting each other in performing their

tasks; if there is any problem, they should solve it themselves and should not

let anything come about between them and the people.


338

Message Date: November 29, 1981 [Azar 8, 1360 AHS / Safar 2, Muharram 1402 AH]


Subject: Victory of the Islamic army in the war fronts

Addressee: Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Qasim Ali Zahir-Nejad, Ali Sayyad Shirazi,

Muhsin Ridai


Haj Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the respected President of the Islamic Republic

of Iran; General Zahir-Nejad, head of the Joint Chiefs of staff of the Islamic

Republic of Irans army; colonel Ali Sayyad Shirazi, commander of the

ground forces; Muhsin Ridai commander of the Islamic Revolutionary

Guard Corps,

“If you take the side of God, God will take your side and help you stand

firm.”1

I acknowledge the receipt of the respectable telegraphs of the good

tidings of the victory of the armed forces over the satanic forces of American

Saddam who promised victory by minds empty of faith in the unseen.

Relying on machine guns, tanks and disregarding the power of God and

Gods army, leads people to perdition and disgrace.

Those who think that being occupied with MEGs2

and Mirages3

is the key

to victory who do not take into account the omnipotent God, who talk about

victory of Gadisiya4

without understanding the key to the victory of Gadisiya

and the early Muslims, and do not understand the power of having faith in

martyrdom should face disgraceful defeat and Gods punishment. They must

learn from the victories of the early Muslims who defeated the devilish

powers by their faith and blood. Iranian nation, the army, the Islamic

Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Basij and other military and non-military

forces struggle to preserve Islam and meet God. This is the difference

between these dear ones and the deceived ones who fight in this war against

Islam and the glorious Quran for the evil purposes of America. What I take

1 Surah Muhammad 47:17. 2 MEG is a Russian warplane. 3 Mirage is a sophisticated French warplane. 4 Qadisiya, a battle fought between Muslims and Iranian culminating in the victory of Islamic

army and Saddam called the imposed Iraqi war against Iran the battle of Qadisiyyah.


339

pride in is the unique spirit, hearts full of faith, loyalty and martyrdom-

seeking spirit of these dear ones who are the true soldiers of the great Imam

of the Time (may our souls be sacrificed for him). This is the translation of

the grand victory. Before I congratulate the great Iranian nation and the

valiant commanders on the occasion of the great and proud victory of

Khuzestan, let me felicitate them on having such warriors who have emerged

triumphant in both spiritual and outward fronts.

I congratulate the beloved country of Iran and the honorable Iranian

nation on having such fighters who love their God, on having soldiers whose

ultimate end is their love of martyrdom, and on having self-sacrificing people

whose main goal is to go in the way of God. It is a pride for the warriors

whose prayers and supplications filled the war fronts with the fragrance of

spirituality. How honorable are those youths who have taken a path and

safeguarding a religion that is invincible and ever-victorious. Shame upon

those who lose their lives and dignity in a path that is disgraceful whether

they emerge victorious or suffer defeat.

I would like to express my appreciation to the respected commanders,

our dear combatants of the military forces, army, Revolutionary Guard

Corps, the Basij forces, gendarmerie, city police forces, the tribal forces, the

irregular troops and the people. Salutations to you and to those who are a

source of pride for the country. I pray to God to grant ultimate victory, health

and happiness to the fighters of Islam.




340

Speech

Date: December 1, 1981 [Azar 10, 1360 AHS / Safar 4, 1402 AH]


Subject: Features of the Islamic Revolution, harmony between nation and

government; recommendations to religious authorities

Audience: Muhammad Saduqi (representative of Imam and Friday prayer leader in

Yazd); Ruhullah Khatami (Friday prayer leader of Ardakan); Friday prayer leaders in

provinces of Yazd and Hormozgan and Sunni Friday prayer leaders in the south of

country


Unique revolution

The gentlemen are aware of the fact that this revolution is unique in that

it has been achieved by the people, in the name of Islam and by the call of

―God is great‖ at nationwide level. The Exalted God endowed the Iranian

nation and shifted their attention to this Islamic Republic and made them

desire Islam and an Islamic Republic. Of course, you are aware that all the

revolutions which have taken place in the world—we should say all of

them—have had far greater losses than gains. The gain in this case is that this

revolution occurred in order to fulfill Islam and Islamic rules. Nowhere has

there been such a gain. Even if the name ―the Islamic Republic‖ had been

placed over some countries, the content would have been missing. Similarly,

you are aware that the problems in the wake of revolution in the big countries

of the world have not been overcome yet. The Soviet Union, which is one of

the superpowers, staged a revolution sixty and so years ago but they still

have problems they have not been able to overcome.

One of the biggest features of Iran is that the government and the nation

are not separate from each other. We do not have such a thing as a separate

army, a separate nation and a separate government. The nation is I full

harmony wit the army and the government. If the government or the army

faces a problem or if the country faces something, like an earthquake, the

people will handle the affairs better than the government, a case in point is

the earthquake that hit Kerman. We saw how problems were overcome by

the activities of Saduqi1

and the attention of people. I have this hope that all

1 Muhammad Saduqi, the representative of the Imam and Friday prayer leader of Yazd.


341

problems would be resolved because people are prepared. Of course, the

question of purging the administration is underway.

Advising clergies to guide people and cooperate with the government

I hope this general inspection which has now become part of the

activities will be conducted in a way consistent with the opinion of all the

people and the clergies in particular. It is extremely important for the clergies

to guide people, cooperate with the government and keep people in the same

revolutionary state. They should warn people of discord and tension. They

should tell people that there are sinister hands trying to doom the revolution

to failure. Therefore, one of the important responsibilities of the clergies,

especially Friday prayer leaders, is to warn people in their sermons that they

should not be heedless of these hands that treacherously struggle to wreck

this revolution. All the plots hatched both inside and outside of the country

have been rendered ineffective. Thank God, even the war is going to be over

with our victory. The country is yours; it is Islamic; we should all be

committed to preserve Islam. One of our primary duties towards the Exalted

God is preservation of Islam. As you all know, we are duty-bound to keep

this divine gift. Today, Islam has been deposited to us. If in the past we had

the excuse that superpowers would not let us do our duty and that there were

powers who prevented the clergies to act in their capacity, today we do not

have such an excuse. All the clergies wherever they are can get through to

the people and tell them about their problems. They can also guide them;

similarly, they should guide the government, the different departments and,

God willing, I hope that all problems would be overcome very soon.

Groups engaged in caching

Of course, we had a revolution and in such circumstances a group of

corrupt people were busy with their plots. They were planning from the early

days of this movement, and even on the verge of victory of revolution, they

were plotting. During the revolution, it was not possible to keep order;

therefore, they began stealing the weapons. Now, you can see that sometimes

they show how much weapons and explosives there are in one warehouse.

Right from the beginning, when they got involved they did not have anything

to do with Islam and the Islamic Revolution. They had their own purpose and

pursued it. They sent their agents everywhere and looted Muslims money.

God willing I hope that with the efforts of the people, and the information

they can provide about the location of these warehouses, this problem will be


342

solved very soon and we will all be busy implementing Islam in this country.

If there is any problem, God willing it will be overcome.

I hope that with the efforts of all the clergies and the religious authorities,

our Sunni brothers and Shiites will come together and avoid discord, the

corrupt people want to create between them. Everyone in his own capacity

should warn people that dispute means throwing everything off balance in

Iran and bringing us once more under the domination of the superpowers in

which case we will gain nothing. Of course, these disputes have been there

since the beginning either as a result of ignorance or the plots of some people

who did not want to let the country have unity of expression. Now, the

brothers, wherever they are, have seen what blessing of God this unity of

expression is. We should preserve it and thank God for giving us such a gift.

We have to keep this unity at any price. God willing, we will implement

Islam and live under the banner of monotheism and Islam till the Imam of the

Time (may Gods peace be upon him) reappears.



343

Speech

Date/Time: Morning, December 2, 1981 [Azar 11, 1360 AHS / Safar 5, 1402 AH]


Subject: Explaining the results and blessings of the war—an advice to the Iraqi army

and the governments of the region

Audience: Students of the military college, members of the logistics weapons,

management of the army, personnel of the army air force, personnel of Shiraz air

base and some members of the Islamic Revolution Guard corps


Focus on the results of the war

I pray for the arms and its personnel who have come from different

places and thank them. There are many things which man does not like but

when these things come true, one realizes some good in them. You might hate

something that turns out to be good for you.1

We and our Islamic nation have

never been belligerent and violent. We hate this imposed war where two

oppressed groups have been provoked by the arrogant superpowers, America

and the deception of the Baath Party to be at loggerheads. But you all know

and the whole world knows that the Baath Party, Saddam and his followers

are to blame for this crime. Though we hate this war, we defend ourselves,

our country and our religion as our human right. We defend ourselves against

these superpowers.

This war broke out and has been going on for two years. It has had great

fruits for us. We were unaware of these fruits at first, but gradually we

realized the benefits of the imposed war. One of them is the unprecedented

movement of our youths in the fronts and behind the fronts. Laxity and

weakness which are characteristics of those who sit idle and do routine jobs.

Today, our revolutionary guards, our Basij forces and our nation and tribal

forces are active and on the move whether in the front of outside it and have

stood up against all the adversities and they see them very pleasant because it

is defense not aggression. A defensive war is a religious and human duty.

One of the things of which we were not conscious is that this blow which

you the youths, our revolutionary guards and the other army forces dealt to

the aggressors is a lesson to those who might nurture the notion of creating

chaos in Iran. Is it good that we also launch an assault? Foreign propaganda,

1 Surah al-Baqarah 2:216.


344

especially the propaganda of deviant radios such as BBC and Voice of

America and other ones have painted an image of Iran as being chaotic and a

place from which anyone can pick up whatever he wants, thus luring the

unwise Saddam to renew the victory of Gadisiya1

. He was persuaded that

Iran is an easy bite to swallow. Without being aware of the issues, this idiot

prompted by his satanic vanity and the persuasions of the other devils

attacked Iran. He did this insane act and got his punishment. He is still

receiving punishment.

Heroic combatants demonstrate the invulnerable nature of the revolution

The victories you have secured and, God willing, you will further secure

demonstrated the opposite of what the propaganda trumpets had spread. Most

nations are aware of our conditions; but there might be a few which are still

unaware. This war help the latter group understand that present Iran is

stronger and more harmonious than in the past, even at a time when devilish

rulers reigned. Today, Iran displays an integrated movement, an integrated

activity and an integrated love for martyrdom and God. There was not such a

thing in the former regimes. People were brought up in those regimes to

think of who a nation should be like. Nationalism was in an object state, and

the aliens laid their hands on every place in this country and everyone was

either a nationalist or not. Today, Iran has demonstrated to be on the side of

all the Islamic nations and the oppressed people of the world. We see

ourselves as part of them and go to war against anyone who wants to attack

Iran or other places. We think of the Islamic countries as part of us and think

of ourselves as part of the Islamic nations. We want to make the command of

God our meeting point2 and to be one hand against the superpowers.

One of the things which happened in the imposed war is that our brave

soldiers and great brave nation were able to demonstrate that no one can

undermine this country and no one can harm it. My dear brothers, what is

important for us all and for the Iranian nation is to turn towards God all the

time, and not to forget that we initiated the movement and the revolution for

God and should further if for the sake of God.

Now, sometimes when I look at the wills of some martyrs and at the

situation in the war fronts or when I look at the slogans chanted in the fronts

a little before martyrdom, I realize that this nation is a divine one. There is a

1 A place near Nahavand where the battle between the Army of Islam and the Yazdgerd III

forces took place culminating in the victory of the Army of Islam. 2 Surah Al-i Imran 3:103.


345

difference between the people who stand up to say their prayers a night

before they want to attack the army of the unbelievers and those who are

brought to war under pressure who later become playthings. There is a

difference between those who have risen up for God and those who have

risen up for the devil. You are fighting for God which is a sign of faith while

they are fighting for Satan which is a sign of unbelief. You will remain

powerful as long as you take God into account and seek His help.

Unseen support for the Islamic warriors

This unity of expression under the banner of monotheism and Islam will

bring you victories. This call of God is great which you chant when you get

ready for martyrdom is your support. Unseen soldiers in the early days of

Islam were behind the victory of the small Islamic army over the huge army

of Rome and over the huge army of Iran at the time. Today these unseen

army of God support you. You rose up for God and against the unbelievers

and the arrogants. So, rest assured that the unseen soldiers are on your side;

they can help each one of you stand against so many soldiers of enemy. As

you know, almost all countries support Saddam with their money, weapons

and men. Fortunately, we do not need money, personnel or support of others.

Since we trust God we do not need any support from anyone. We trust the

Absolute Source. We do not need any financial support from anyone. We,

who achieve victory with the call of ―God is greatest‖ do not need anyone to

be with us. We just want God to help us with these unseen soldiers and He

will provided that we keep the covenant and commitment to Islam preserve

the Islamic Republic and the Islamic rules. We should never forget that we

are the servants of God and are moving in His direction. If we are destined to

be martyred, it is happiness; if we are destined to win, it is also happiness.

Advice to the Iraqi army and governments of the region

Though we are not far from defeating the enemy, I consider it necessary

to advise them. I advise the Iraqi army not to fight for the devil in vain,

because this way they are standing themselves to hell. I advise those who

support Saddam—governments of the region—not to take trouble to support

the devil and to line up against Islam and the glorious Quran. I advise the

Baath Party that before they are forced to step down, they had better step

down on their own accord. Saddam can go to Paris and there with his friends

he will form a government. I consider it in their own interest not to continue

wit such acts, not to go to great pains in rain and not to shed the blood of

youths. We did not want the Iraqi nation and the Iranian nation to sustain


346

such losses through devilish acts, behind which there are hands at work

instigating them to attack.

What answer has Saddam prepared for the Iraqi army and their

commanders? What answer has he provided to explain the loss of billions of

dollars and then being forced to get loans from others? I advise all the

governments of the region to stop supporting Saddam and to fear the day

when Gods wrath descends upon them. What befell Muhammad-Rida and

Saddam may befall you too. O, Governments of the region! Fear God, wake

up and do not stand up against Islam and the glorious Quran. All the nations

in the region are Muslim and all want Islam. So why you, as a weak

minority, stand up against Islam and the glorious Quran and spend all your

capabilities to strengthen Saddam? I advise all of you. I advise all the

governments to come back to the path of Islam and to fight the unbelievers,

not Muslims; fight for God, not for the devil.

Today, if it has not downed on them that the plans given to them by

America are against the interests of the region and Muslims, they must be

very ignorant. America will in no way abandon its plans. America wants with

all its power to create dispute among Muslims. You have seen how the last

plan created disputes among Muslims groups, among governments and more

disputes will happen. If this plan does not get through, there will be another

one. Muslims should realize that American plan is useless for the East, the

Islamic nations and the Islamic governments. All Muslims should understand

this. They should remind their own governments not to fall for American

plans which appear one after the other and not to be taken in by these devils.

They want to use you as instruments to get hold of your resources. America

has a negative attitude towards you. It wants to use you for its interests as it

has used you so far. Why do you spend your resources for the evil and

ominous purpose of America? You see that the usurping government of

Egypt flatly says that whoever brings up the name of Islam will be crushed.

America looks at you as slaves to lead you where they want. If Saddam had

had any sense, he would have turned down America when it told him to

attack Iran. However, God removed their minds so that they act in ways

against themselves, their countries and their nations.

The need to avoid discord

I want all of the friends, brothers in the Iranian army and the

revolutionary guard to understand that there should never be any dispute

among you. Do not think the superpowers have left you alone to go on with

your own life. They have a new scheme everyday and are waiting to create


347

discord among you so that they can take advantage of it. You see that

whenever the revolutionary guards, the army and the other forces come

together, a great victory is achieved. You have seen how the unity of

expression has won you victory over all the powers of the world. You have

seen how you dragged Iran out of the clutches of America and established

independence for yourselves. If discord creeps among you, and the Exalted

God stops his blessings to us, we will retrogress to the same old conditions.

You all women, men, the young and old should stay alert. Military and non-

military people must stay alert because some corrupt elements may infiltrate

their ranks and create discord stick together and be like one hand. It is an

Islamic command. Do not let discord grow among you and stay united by the

grace of God. Keep going ahead in the path of God so that you will be

victorious.



348

Decree



Subject: Appointing head of Foundation for the Deprived

Audience: Mir-Husayn Musawi


Mr. Mir Husayn Musawi, Prime Minister—may God assist you,

I appoint you as the new head of the Foundation for the Deprived. I hope

you run this foundation under the supervision of religious and committed

people. God willing, I wish you success in serving Islam, Muslims and

especially the oppressed people.


13/9/1360 AHS


349

Decree



Subject: Need to check the obstinate acts of irresponsible individuals

Addressee: Prosecutor General and Chief Justice of the Chief of Judiciary


The respected Supreme Judicial Council and the respected Prosecutor

General of the Islamic Revolution,

Lastly I have been informed that some irresponsible individuals,

probably from deviant groups and sometimes from the officials. Contrary to

Islamic and legal regulations transgress on the rights and property of

respected people and take the liberty of dividing their property and

confiscating their money. They sometimes raid houses without a religious or

legal warrant and arrest people, and if they wanted person is not in, they

arrest the family members of him. And at time, for some reason, they smear

the image and reputation of individuals. In so doing, they viloate the judicial

authorities of the Islamic Republic. The Inspectorate General of the country

is required to attend to this issue in a speedy way and to report to the judicial

authorities. In case there are any complaints or grievances lodged with the

public prosecutors, attend to them. Punish individuals or groups guilty of

such illegal and anti-religious acts after proving their guilt. It is necessary to

inform me of the above-mentioned issues.


16/9/1360 AHS


350

Statements Date/Time: Morning, December 8, 1981 [Azar 17, 1360 AHS / Safar 11, 1402 AH]


Subject: Fundamental changes in universities

Audience: Members of the Society of Teachers of Qum Theological Seminary


Professors of the Cultural Revolution Committee will consult with the

respected teachers of theological seminaries choose individuals to cooperate

with one another.

[Imam Khomeini also reiterated that:]

If they want to effect essential changes in university subjects, it will take

more than twenty years and is not possible to put the universities on hold for

all this time. Of course, with the universities open, the Cultural Revolution

Committee can carry on its work to bring about the essential changes.


351

Speech



Subject: Explaining the mission and functions of theological seminaries in the

Islamic system

Audience: Sayyid Ali Khamenei (President and Friday prayer leader of Tehran);

members of the organizing committee of the Tehran Friday Prayer in; students of

Tarbiyat Muallim; some Muslim Philippine graduates; some Muslims from

southeast Asia; employees of Iran Radio and TV broadcast; personnel of the air

force-Sunni clergies from Afghanistan


Need to change theological seminaries and universities

Since the president mentioned the names of all the groups and since we

all have one aim, there is no need for me to mention the name of each one of

you. I just talk about our common issues in general terms.

We should say that this revolution was a sudden movement in that our

nation experienced everything for the first time. During the time monarchy,

especially in the last fifty years or so, there was not any chance for any group

to reflect on things let alone to take any action. The theological seminaries in

Iran whether the old ones or the universities were not in a right position,

therefore they should transform themselves with this movement. They were

not prepared in advance, and suddenly have shoulder heavy responsibilities,

which weighed heavily on all strata of people. But due to the great efforts of

all people, we are going ahead with this burden of responsibilities. There is a

lot to be desired, though. The activities of the seminaries in the former

regimes, especially the last fifty years or so, were very limited. So were their

educational programs and their activities.

Ineligibility of the majority of judges in former regimes

The question of the judiciary is very important in Islam, but seminaries

were isolated; they were not prepared to deal with such heavy responsibility.

The former regimes were not concerned with things like religious

punishments, verdicts and regulations. There were only few people capable

of handling the judgment task, not because of any shortcomings on the part

of seminaries, but because they were not given the opportunity to train such

people. Our preachers all over the country were limited and could speak only


352

about insignificant matters. They did not have any right to express their

views on the problems of the country which is another reason why they were

not prepared for such issues. Friday prayer, as pointed out by the president—

may God keep him in good condition—was an optional duty according to the

verdict of jurists. No attention was paid to this important obligation. Even if

Friday prayer was performed in some parts of the country, the Friday prayer

leaders could not say to people what they wanted, because they did not have

the power. They could not say a word about corruption in the government.

The preachers, Friday and congregational prayer leaders had a very limited

relationship with people. This way the major Islamic issues had to be

forgotten, because these groups wee not able to freely express their ideas.

The courts all over Iran were in the hands of people who were not eligible to

judge. There were few exceptions. Thats why our courts were in the state of

disarray, and for this reason they have to be transformed into Islamic ones .

Efforts of the former regime to sow discord among people

The ordinary people whether businessmen, farmers, government

employees, workers, and those working in different departments had some

forced duties which they were not able to breach, and those who did not have

an office job were wrapped up in their own life and did not have anything to

do with the social, economic and political issues and problems of the country

and nor did they have any view because they were not allowed to interfere. It

was general suffocation for all the groups and as a result the administration

of this country was tyrannical which was run by handful of people who

forced their issues on the society and who did not allow anyone to have any

independent view. On the other hand they tried hard to sow discord among

the various groups, among the Sunni and Shiite brothers and among all the

individuals and parties which were in existence at the time and through

discord they did not let anyone take notice of anything.

Need to train judges and preachers in theological seminaries

Today, we suddenly achieved freedom; we were relieved of intellectual

suffocation but we see that we are up against lots of problems which must be

overcome with the efforts of all the country and all strata of the nation.

Theological seminaries all over the country, especially in Qum, Mushhad and

Isfihan, must do their best to send preachers who are familiar with the society

and its problems and know well what to do and say. Seminaries should train

judges, especially preachers for whom there is dire need. All over the country

we need preachers. Furthermore, we need more preachers outside the


353

country. We are short of them. We should not compare today with the past.

Back then the seminaries were throttled; they could not deliver judges to

society; they were not accepted and they could not deliver preachers who

could convey social problems and issues to the people. Today, however, the

seminaries should not be compared with the past. Today, all the clergies, the

religious reference authorities, all the teachers and the ulama should try to

carry out this responsibility efficiently. We need about three to four thousand

judges and many thousands of preachers in the country. There are places

where there is neither a single clergy nor a preacher. Theology seminaries

should be aware that coming and studying in these schools is, according to

Gods command, a mean for preaching to and training people in different

areas, and a way to remind them of their problems. Today, we do not have

any excuse to say we can not. Today, we can do a lot. Of course, it takes a lot

of time, but since it is a duty we must do it. Teachers of theological

seminaries, of Qum, Mashhad and other should train the applicants to meet

our need for preachers and judges all over the country. If judgment

procedures run counter to Islamic standards, it is our responsibility to avert

the trend, and all the ulama and theological seminaries should help amend

the procedures.

Studying a preliminary step toward preaching and admonishing people

People should come and go to theological seminaries. A group of

teachers should be fixed and the majority must leave after they have finished

with their work in the centers and must go out among people, and not stay in

one place. A person who does not do anything useful should not be allowed

to stay in the seminary. This is not acceptable due to the situation of our

country. Today those who have finished their studies and do not have any

teaching and preaching activities in the seminaries should go to places where

they are needed and carry out their duty. The youths engaged in studying

should preach to the whole country on their holidays. Even when they are not

on holidays, they should take turns to do the same as much as they can. They

should not let any place remain empty of clergyman. Many places in Iran are

deprived of clerics and preacher. They have a religious and divine duty to

propagate and elucidate the Islamic rules to the people. Studying is a mean

for training. The verse of the Quran says, ―Why do not go and study so that

you can return and admonish the people‖1

. Studying has the purpose of

admonishing people and explaining things to them. Of course, seminaries

1 Surah at-Tawbah 9:122.


354

should be there; jurisprudents should be there. This matter should not be

forgotten. Each year a number of students should leave seminaries to

prorogate and enlighten people. After holidays, the teachers or religious

reference authorities should send groups of clerics to different places in turn.

We want to perform the divine duty. Studying is a duty, but propagation is a

more important duty. Studying is a mean to admonish people.

Quran, the richest book in the world in terms of education and training The same is true about universities. All of a sudden we realized, the

country and the universities realized that the era of suffocation was over.

Back then there was a group that drummed every perverted thing into the

minds of our pure youths and no one had any right to raise a word. Now, that

we have got rid of this intellectual and practical suffocation, there is no

longer any excuse for university academicians and intellectuals. Everyone

can do something to run the university in the right way, there is no longer

any excuse and they are answerable before God. Spiritual sciences must be

taught at universities just like material sciences. Humanities and educational

issues should be taught by those who know what Islamic education is and

what Islam is. Some of these people should not think that Islam does not

have anything to offer regarding society or education. As far as human issues

are concerned, Islam is much deeper than any other school of thought. Islam

considers educational issues as having top priority. Islam also deals with

economic matters. Today, we can not be like before when our universities

and children were corrupted by things brought from Western educational

warehouse as gifts; we can not just sit and let minds raised in Western

education teach our children. Education must be grounded in the Quran, the

richest book in the world when it comes to education. However, education

and training require specialists. It is not like what some people think that they

know two Quranic verses so they know Quran and Islam. People who can

hardly recite Quran correctly think they are specialists on Islam. Those who

have no idea of the Islamic rules, economy, culture and Islamic rational

sciences say that Islam does not deal with such things. Well, since you do not

know, on what grounds do you say such things? Specialists are necessary and

should be produced by theological seminaries. Let them ask the help of the

centers where there are such specialists and open the universities but the

scholars for the human sciences should be gradually taken from the

theological seminaries of the country and especially from those in Qum.


355

Friday prayer leaders should explain socio-political issues

In the past we also had Friday and congregational prayer, wit the former

performed in a few places, but more common among our Sunni brothers. But

neither they nor we could talk about daily and political issues in our sermons

because we had been stifled. Now that this suffocation has been removed, the

congregational and Friday prayer leaders should focus on their duty and talk

to people about their issues. They should draw the attention of people to

political and social matters. Friday prayer leaders are today quite good all

over the country. People should take more notice; they should know enough

about these issues. They should go, listen and act.

We also realized all of a sudden that our country needed Pasdars and the

people themselves solved this problem. Today, there is a need for people to

go to the war fronts. There should be more volunteers to go there and relieve

the youths before they feel tired. Anyhow, as I said we suddenly inherited a

system in which the Islamic rules had been actually forgotten, and there was

no trace of Islamic in the government. The Islamic rules based on which the

country should have been run, were totally forgotten. In their place there

were Western ideas and Western advisers who attempted to manipulate us.

Back then all had an excuse because they did not have the power. But today,

you know that you have the power. Get together and show it. God gave you

the power and cleared the way for you. Today, the whole nation is duty-

bound to be prepared. If you become heedless, the wolves will devour you.

You must be prepared. Friday prayer leaders should guide the people and

remind them to be prepared. Thank God, the people are prepared. They

should understand that we are still midway through; we have a long way to

go before we can get there. Our journey will finish when we have

implemented all the Islamic rules. Our goal will be attained when the

oppressed people of the world shake off the burden of the arrogant

superpowers. I beseech the Exalted God to help you keep up your activities

in Friday prayer and sort things out. This is very important and I beg God to

grant success to those who are engaged in other works and to help us succeed

in acting according to Islam and educational matters.


356

Message



Subject: Martyrdom of the representative of Imam and Friday prayer leader of

Shiraz

Addressee: The Iranian nation

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Verily we are from God and to Him we return

For the offspring of Islam the household of our grand prophet (s) the

sons of Fatimah (may Gods peace be upon them) and the descendants of

Husayn (a) martyrdom for the sake of purpose, the dear Islam and the

glorious Quran is not something strange.

Throughout its long history and from the altar of Kufas mosque to the

honorable desert of Karbala, the great nation of Islam has offered worthy

sacrifices for dear Islam and God. The martyrdom-seeking nation of Iran is

not excluded from this happy phenomenon and the Islamic Revolution has

numerous instances of these Husayn-like martyrs. On the Resurrection Day

our noble nation will be in the presence of God the great, the prophets and

the Immaculate Imam together with the long lines of martyrs of the right

path, ulama, devotees and soldiers who fought to preserve Islam. The great

prophet of Islam who takes other nations including even the disgraceful ones

will take pride in the sacrifices made by these dear ones in the war fronts and

behind the battlefields, the martyrs of the altar, pulpits and congregational

lines of the mosque and those in hospitals are included. What is better and

more pleasant on Judgment Day for this great one than having more martyrs

of the chaste offspring of Islam?

Our dear ones and the apple of our eyes in southern and Western theaters

are a source of pride and glory for Islam by subduing the evil Americans and

the retrogressive and by sending the devils soldiers to hell, in such a way

that the power to endure these victories was taken from the Americans inside

and outside and hypocrite and the perverted which has increased their

insanity and horror. Supposing that you consider Martyr Beheshti a sinner,

what motivated other martyrs like Madani and Dasgahib who did not have

any guilt aside from educating and guiding the poor people. If you think that

they deserved being killed because of their crime of being loyal to Islam and

taking the side of the oppressed, what about those innocent babies who got


357

killed in their cribs? What was their guilt except that they were babies of

Muslims who struggle against the domination of America with their money

and soul.1

On Friday the criminal hands of America took away from the respected

people of Iran and Fars a valuable man who was a great trainer and spiritual

leader whose only guilt was his commitment to Islam and left the theological

seminaries and Iranian people mourning his martyrdom. Hadrat Hujjat al-

Islam wal-Muslimin Martyr Haj Sayyid Abdul-Husayn Dastaghayb who

was a teacher of ethics, refiner of the self and committed to Islam and the

Islamic Republic, was martyred along with some of his companions by some

criminals who serve the superpowers and the criminals, assuming that they

have dealt a blow to the combatant people of Iran and undermined their effort

to reach their goal. Those blind-hearted ones do not seem to realize that with

every martyrdom and every crime, this nation which is committed to Islam

and the country become more determined and better prepared. Following

their bombardment of cities in the south and the West and the tragic

massacres of defenseless people, they heard the people shout ―war, war, till

victory.‖ This indicates that this loyal nation embraces martyrdom in the

cause of God. Or may be they want to make up for the defeats of the army of

the unbelievers and their masters by the blood of these men. It is appropriate

for the experts to look into these crimes and to find out the reasons why in

every victory and after every defeat of the American Baath Party there is a

big crime committed by the hypocrites and the pervert. It cannot be an

accident that there was a crime after our victory iin Abadan and Bostan.

There was also a crime and today following the great victory in the West and

the disgraceful defeat of the enemy, this big crime occurred. Have they all

been accidents or calculated and dictated? Do we lose these great spiritual

leaders and valuable teachers to make up for the defeat of America and

American Saddam in the region? May Gods mercy be upon these great holy

combatants whose martyrdom ensures the victory for Islam and shame be on

the criminal America and its followers.

I express my condolences to Imam Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed

for him), to the Iranian nation, to the honorable people of Fars and to the

families of this martyr on their great and tragic loss. I congratulate the

Messenger on the sacrifices of the nation of Islam and the Jihad of the

1 It refers to the assassinations by the blind-hearted hypocrites and the agents of America that

after the escape of the terrorist organization of the hypocrites to France and seeking refuge in

America and European countries, the agents of this organization in Iran committed numerous

crimes.


358

different strata of people in Iran. I beseech God to grant patience and health

to the families of this dignified martyr.

Salutations to the great warriors of Islam and to the warriors in the West

and south, and congratulations to the military forces and the victorious

people in the Western theater. I beseech God to grant ultimate victory to the

army of Islam over the devilish superpowers.




359

Message



Subject: Victories of the army of Islam around Gilan-e Gharb and Sarpol Zuhab

Addressee: Ali Sayyid Shirazi (Commander of the army); Muhsin Ridai

(Commander of IRGC)


Colonel Sayyid Shirazi, Commander of the army; Mr. Muhsin Ridai,

Commander of the Revolutionary Guard,

I received your telegraph about the great victory around Gilan-e Gharb

and Sarpol Zuhab. Thank God, the Muslim combatants of Iran , withtrust in

God and driven by the need to preserve Islam and the Islamic country of Iran,

have achieved dramatic victories over the devilish forces in all the fronts of

the war, which is a source of pride for the Islamic nation and all the strata of

the great Iranian nation—the land of martyrs of virtue and the base of the

brave people.

This time the divine majesty started shining in Gilan-e Gharb and Sarpol

Zuhab theaters and purged there from the contaminated presence of the

agents of America. ―Verily you did not throw though it looked as if you did, it

was God who threw it.‖1

The great Islam and the history of Islam will not

forget the sacrifices made by these brave youth of the military, paramilitary

and popular troops. Commanders, soldiers and guards of the country of

Hadrat Mahdi (our souls may be sacrificed for him) are a source of pride in

the disgrace and humiliation incurred on the agents of America inside and

outside the country, who, open fire on Islam and Muslims to integrate

themselves with the U.S. will also be recorded in our history.

Let the international criminals and the agents of criminals overlook these

great victories and let them pool the wool over the disgrace of American

Saddam by twisted propaganda.

On behalf of the great nation of Iran I congratulate the combatants and

commanders in the West and Sarpol Zuhab on this great victory and I

implore God to grant ultimate victory to Islam over global blasphemy.


1 Surah Anfal 8:17.


360

Speech

Date/Time: Before noon, December 12, 1981 [Azar 21, 1360 AHS / Safar 15, 1402

AH]


Subject: Recommendations and guidelines to champions

Audience: Ali-Akbar Natiq Nuri (representative of the Islamic Consultative

Assembly); Dawudi (Head of the Physical Training Organization) and members of

the National free-style wrestling team


Champions focus on Islam

Your faces and the glow in your faces are in themselves victory. I hope

that you will, in practice, export this revolution to the countries you travel to.

I also wish you success in the world. What is important is to have victory

over ―the self‖ besides these other victories you from the old times, the

champions have paid great attention to Islam and have mentioned God and

the Commander of the Faithful in their words and deeds, which had good

effects on their morale. With your good manner and behavior, you will be

able to export the image of the Islamic Republic to the outside world. When

you, dear champions go outside the country and win an astounding victory

and then people see that your mentality is especial and you are different from

others and your mindset different too, it will render ineffective all the

propaganda against Islam and Muslims. You know that all the efforts of the

superpowers are meant to totally isolate Iran and to wipe it off the map of the

world. Well, they do not know that it is not possible to isolate God. Neither is

it possible to isolate Islam and these youths of Islam are prepared to make

efforts and sacrifices for Islam and it is not possible to isolate them. God

willing you too will play your part and elevate the name of Islam and Iran

and hoist the flag of Islam high and be the pride of the Muslim nation. I too

do my part and pray to you to be healthy, successful and happy. I ask God to

grant success and victory to all of you. May God grant victory to these

Islamic champions all over the world.

May God support you. May Gods peace and mercy be upon you.


361

Speech



Subject: Opposing the superpowers through the clergy; recommendations to Friday

prayer leaders

Audience: Friday prayer leaders of Semnan Province


Martyr Dastghayb, an upright man, a mentor of morality

I would like to bear this great responsibility and to first implement the

Islamic rules I this country and later in other countries through their nations

at a time when all the pens, tongues, and foreign radio and TVs had stood up

in opposition against Iran and the Islamic Republic because of its being

Islamic nature.

You know that the superpowers focus on the clergies more than anybody

and anything else. The main aim of the superpowers and of their scum inside

the country is to undermine the clergies; therefore, you see that they martyr

someone whose only guilt were being a Muslim and guiding others.

Definitely, you know that yesterday the deceased Hujjat al-Islam

Dastaghayb1

was martyred by them in a cruel manner way. Following any

victory won by us and our Islamic Republic, they target small individuals,

even babies and persons whose only crime is guiding the people. Maybe you

do not know Mr. Dastaghayb very well, but I do. He was an upright man in

the full sense of the word; he was a mentor of morality, a guide for the

people. His speeches revolved around spirituality, God and Islam. Yet, they

target whoever calls for Islam more vociferously. They passed a statement

ordering their hypocritical corrupt forces to kill the clerics, whenever they

see one without enquiring what he has done. This turban is a crime per se.

This turban is a crime and was a crime in the past, as well. Therefore, the aim

of the British agents was to exterminate the turban. The more righteous a

clergy, the more likely to be eliminated. The point is that they are scared of

Islam and the things that they have recognized is that the clergies call people

to Islam and thats why they target them more than any other group.

1 Martyr Sayyid Abdul-Husayn Dastaghayb, representative of the Imam and Friday prayer

leader in Shiraz was martyred by a hypocrite girl.


362

Eliminating the clergies to exploit the oppressed people

Gentlemen should know that such issues have not occurred only in our

time. Since the beginning of Islam till now the arrogants have tried to get rid

of the supporters of the oppressed, that in the ulama, in order to be able to

exploit them. This has always been the case with them, yet we must perform

our duty. Thank God, the more such corrupt acts and crimes happen, the

more closely people focus on the issue.

If back then these corrupt groups could deceive one group that they were

working for the people and they want to get rid of corrupted persons and that

the government was corrupt, they are gradually exposing themselves and by

having ties with Iraq, pro-Western democrat and even with Britain and will

hopefully fall from grace. These saboteurs do not have any power. Well, they

can get a thief to set a house on fire. They are just like thieves who

sometimes engage in vandalism. They cannot do anything else; they have

lost their face before the nation. This sabotage is perhaps a way to vent their

anger because they know that nothing can be reaped of such acts. A

government will not go away by such explosions. The thing that is always on

my mind and I keep telling to the clergies coming here is that they should

make sure that no young theology student says something that gives them a

justification. Now tat you only guide people, they have leveled many

accusations against you. Now the government only defends and has not

attacked others, but you know what they say about us and our victories in the

foreign radios, news agencies and televisions. Despite the great victories we

have against all these powers they keep silent or try to raise doubt by telling

that ―Iran has said this and Iraq has said that, and nothing know for sure‖.

Though they came and saw and read some reports that this was not the case,

they either throw doubts or keep quiet about it. Just the night before Iran

secured such a victory; they have mostly kept quiet about it and have said a

word as to what it was; one sign that they are getting more active is when

Iraq says something and immediately they say that Iraq has said they have

killed some thousands of Iranians and so on and so forth.

God promises victory

The thing that the clergies should take notice of is to guide people. You

should assure the people of victory. God never backs down on His promise;

He has promised victory to whoever stands up for God and supports Islam-

the religion of God. You should warn the young against falling into the trap

of these scoundrels. They are still plotting everywhere to lead people stray.

The young and the children react to a Speech; they will not let the young


363

learn or hear about the realities of Iran. They will not let them listen to these

issues. In Friday prayers and the congregational prayers and anywhere the

clergies should assure the people that they will come out to victorious. Thank

God, the people are prepared and as long as there is harmony between the

people and the different groups, between the people and the army and

between the army and the clergies, Iran will be safe. No one can do anything

to it. I hope that the clergies get serious about calling people to piety, peace

and paying attention to what is going on.

Of course, you know that Semnan is not the only place that has

insufficiencies. There was a revolution and behind it there are many

inadequacies, especially in a country, which gave all it had to others. They

gave huge amount of oil for, perhaps, free to the foreigners and if they gave

them any money for it, they would spend it on themselves and they kept

money outside for them and made Iran dependent on everyone. They ruined

this country from all respects and left or fled the country. In such an

environment all should get serious to get things reformed; it should not be

expected that the government can do such a thing in a short time. The

government is from people and you know that it is not a government that

wants to do something by force. Of course, I know there are insufficiencies

not just in your city and your province, but everywhere in the country. But

people know that they should support the government for the things to be

done. I hope these problems will be overcome very quickly and, God willing,

Iran will be reconstructed and it will be purged from all the corruption that

was in it. Thank God, a lot has been done up to now the people have done a

lot. I hope afterwards when the country is more settled, a lot more can be

done. The main issue is the attention and cooperation of people, which have

so far been at a satisfactory level and will remain so in the future. Of course,

the clergies should try to strengthen people through your words and deeds.

Call on them to be morally good so that if there moral goodness in a society

there will not be any need for weapons. May God grant success to all of you

and make us all servants of Islam and Muslims.



364

Speech



Subject: Place and role of university in the country

Audience: Board of trustees of the National University and heads of various

faculties and hospitals affiliated to this university


Need to reform universities

Gentlemen, you know that if the university in a country is reformed, that

country will be reformed. Universities lie on top of the executive affairs. By

reforming university, the countrys affairs will be reformed; by corrupting

the university, the country will be corrupted. Even one corrupt professor

might have a big effect on a country, because he/she can influence a group of

students in a bad way. In their turn, they will develop into a big evil in the

long run. Therefore, when reforming the university and in the cultural

revolution of the university the most important thing is the professors of the

university, teachers, students and so on from bottom to top. These young

students should receive training by committed and responsible teachers.

When they promoted to higher levels, again they should undergo training by

committed teachers. When they go to university, they should be refined.

All the damages we have suffered so far have been due to universities,

because they were not responsible and committed. The university did not

nurture any Islamic or national thought. Those who wanted to eliminate

countries like ours worked to corrupt the university. They were active

everywhere, especially in university, because they knew that if university

served the West, the country would follow suit. Therefore, a thing that is

more necessary than anything else is that we should study the university,

professors, teachers and students and what they were like in the past and

what they are like now, and in which ways they have changed? Universities

should be entrusted to committed individuals. Of course, universities should

be opened, but with these considerations in mind. They should not think that

by opening the university every problem would be resolved. Well, university

can resolve problems. A bad university is better than no university. In the

absence of university, people would remain ignorant, but when a corrupt

university is there, it would produce students hostile to Islam and the nation.


365

Honor and power hang on independence I hope that the blessings of university will reform all strata including the

deviants. The deviants are obstinate, hostile people who are difficult to

rectify. They are like cancerous tumors that must be removed in a surgery.

Another group may not be hostile, but devious; they should be shown the

right way. The upright ones must reform the university so that this country

and people would shout, ―We want neither America nor the Soviet to

interfere in this country. We want to be ourselves and to endure with our

poverty; an honorable man is prepared to live a poor life but with honor‖.

Sometimes back I saw a photo in which Muhammad-Rida Pahalavi was

standing next to an American president whose name I do not remember

now1

. I saw him standing like a helpless slave before a powerful one; he took

off his glasses and was not looking at Muhammad-Rida; he was looking at

something else while Muhammad-Rida was standing like a child before his

master. I got very upset because the person who was ruling us was standing

in that humble manner be fore an alien who needed this country and its

resources. Muhammad-Rida thought he needed the American president but

actually he did not need him. In fact, that president needed this country and

its resources. Those whose intention is to remain servant of America, must

go. But people are not generally like this although they might have some

intellectual deviation. We must not be enslaved to America; we must not be

dominated by America. It should not be let build our universities and army.

We do not need America to do anything for us. We must stand up on our

feet. Everybody must feel like this. We must come to believe that we have a

rich country and that others need us. So, do your best to make this rich

country stand on its feet. Do not think it is not possible. Well, they instilled

this notion in the hearts and minds of many of us that without dependence on

the West or the East you cannot survive. This notion was incessantly

propagated. But it is possible to rebuild this country that this son and father

prevented from moving forward for so many years.

Self-reliance the key to get rid of dependence

We must think that we can do whatever we want. We must put our ideas

into practice. You know in this short period since the onset of the war many

have put these ideas into practice and made things. We must make efforts to

be self-sufficient and to make our youths self-sufficient in the long run. We

must all join hands to get rid of dependence on the outside world. Aliens rule

1 Lyndon Jackson.


366

over us through massive propaganda. The foreigners rule through their

propaganda and heir propaganda concern such issues. Perhaps many of these

professors, who were inclined toward the West or the East, propagated that

we should be dependent and that we cannot lead a life without dependence‖.

No, it is not like that.

God has willed that these two superpowers confront each other and out

of fear they avoid attacking each other. They have understood that this nation

has risen up and does not want to be dominated. They do not want to

eliminate the whole nation; they just want to take advantage of it. They do

not want universities to be abolished; they want to use the university; they

want agriculture and industry to be there. They want us to provide market for

their industry. Moreover, they want to take our resources and turn us to a

market for them. This way, they use us. For this reason, when they feel that a

nation has stood up against them like today…. Muhammad-Rida thought that

if he left Iran, Iran would fall apart. Well, he went and Iran did not fall apart.

These two superpowers never have a genuine understanding between them.

They always remain like two wolves that want to eat each other. Therefore,

we must move forward with the conviction that we are powerful, that they

cannot do anything and that we can do our own jobs. And as you know at the

beginning of the war many assumed that in case of American involvement in

the war, things would go wrong and we could do nothing. They attacked us

unawareness through conspiracy and treason of some people at that time, and

were able to capture some places. But when the youths stood up against

them, they could not take one step further. Now they are stepping backward

because they have felt that our youths, army, the revolutionary guards, Basij

and others can put a halt to their progress. The nation too felt that it must

check their progress; they joined the war fronts from all strata. Even from

universities the students rushed to the war fronts. They were inspired by the

ideas that they must check the enemy. We must move ahead and stay alive;

we must have an independent life and freedom or else we will be agents to

aliens. We do not want to live as slaves of the aliens. Now for Saddam life is

meaningless. Do not think that Saddam is relaxed. He is confused and acts

out of madness, because he sees that he is losing everything; he had been

cheated into attacking Iran and now he is restively heading for hell now he is

already there.

Role of universities in preserving independence of the country

Universities, in whatever form, must have the role of preserving Iran and

Islam, that is, they must impart Islamic-human education and culture. If


367

universities are reformed, our independence and everything will be

preserved. Surely, you know that in the long run we will not need anyone

else in anything. Try to help with this cultural revolution, because to help

with the cultural revolution is to help with your independence and freedom,

because this way country will get out of the shackles of dependence. Of

course, I must thank those who are committed and who always think about

these issues, make efforts for Islam and for their country as they know that

today the country is theirs. They did not have such a feeling before. They

thought they had to work for others or that it was not possible to do anything.

Today, the country is yours; it is the nations and no power can interfere with

it. We do not have any adviser in the army or the university to do anything

wrong. We ourselves must preserve this country. The entire nation,

especially the universities, should feel responsible in this regard. They must

equip the universities so that they can build the youths. You must lay the

ground for the future of this country. We should not just think about

ourselves, we should think about the future of the country. Islam and the

future Islam must be preserved. The future of the country must be preserved.

The future generation must understand that preserving Islam and the country

has started from here.

Liberation from foreign domination is the most important accomplishment of the revolution

Therefore, a point that no longer needs admonishing and that you, and

people in remote areas and I have felt is that America is our enemy and that

this enemy should not be here. They should farm to do away with this

enemy. People come and say that they are engaged in farming to get rid of

the bandage of the U.S. This is a feeling God has cultivated in the heart of

this nation; the entire nation has felt that we must get out of this dependence.

We must run our own affairs; we can do that. The main point is that will

come about with the sense of capability. We should feel that we are capable.

For the last three or four years the nation has been able to resolve the

problems created for this nation. The nation resolved the war that was a

problem; the nation will also settle other problems.

You can see that nowhere in the world has there ever been such a

revolution that has borne lots of fruits with little loss. The revolution did

away with foreign domination of the West and the East. This is not a simple

feat. Up to now whenever the enemies have been stopped from interfering in

our affairs, they have found other ways to come back and join others. Thank

God, here, there is no longer any attachment. Their hands have been cut off


368

from all things. A big change has happened to this nation and this country.

The great accomplishment is that an oppressive regime was replaced with a

regime that will establish justice. This is an important thing that has

happened, something for which prophets offered their lives. The Prophets of

Islam and our Imams did their utmost to cut short the hands of tyrants from

the oppressed people. Thank God, there is a sense of harmony in Iran now,

which has urged the superpowers to organize their conspiracies. God willing,

however, these plots will fall flat. Hopefully, we will sit at our tablecloth to

eat our own bread and cheese. We do not have to bow down to the

superpowers in order to have a so and so park or a building.


369

Decree



Subject: Appointment of the representative of IRGC

Addressee: Sayyid Husayn Tahiri Khoramabadi


Hujjat al-Islam Haj Sayyid Tahiri —may your graces last,

You are hereby notified that Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Haj Shaykh

Husayn-Ali Muntaziri—may his graces last—recommended you look into

the affairs of the IRGC and therefore, I appoint you to this post to ensure that

the rulers and decisions of the IRGC Council comply with the Islamic

standards. You are also requited to keenly track the ideological leanings of

IRGC throughout the country and firmly stem any deviation or violation.


Azar 23, 1360 AHS


370

Speech



Subject: Islamic governments, source of major problems of Muslims

Audience: Commanders and chiefs of staff headquarters and politico-ideological

department, graduates of the cadet training faculty for gendarmerie, Council of Unity

of hawzah and University, Musawi Tabrizi (Prosecutor General Revolution), judicial

personnel of the prosecutor general office of revolution, employees of the

department of guidance and selection of human forces, officials and students of the

Nurse-training school of Air Force, combatants heading for war fronts


Complaint against Islamic government

It is one of the blessings of Islam and the Islamic Revolution that all

these various military and non-military groups, clergies, students and other

groups have come together and pursue one goal. Where in the former regime

could you see all these groups sitting in one gathering for one and the same

goal to make Islam and Islamic Revolution move forward and to consolidate

the Islamic Republic? The former regime worked to separate the clergies

from the universities and the military from the non-military, pitting one

group against another by propaganda and provocation.

We should not complain about America, though it is the father of

corruptions; we should complain about and shout at Islamic countries and

governments. Islam has done a lot and preached a lot for the communal unity

and unity of expression, that is it has days to ensure unity of expression such

as Ashura and Arbaeen. The Quran emphatically calls on people not to be

fragmented, stressing that Muslims should be one hand and let ―Gods

string‖1

tie them together. According to its plan, America works to trigger

dispute among Muslims to use whatever Muslims have to loot their resources

and keep Muslims as consumers. Of course, they bring up these issues for

their sinister intentions. We do not expect them to be otherwise, but we

complain about the heads of Muslim states; we should shout at those who

present themselves as followers of Islam while act in ways contrary to the

text of the glorious Quran, the tradition of the great prophet (s) and the

interests of their own countries. The problem of Muslims is the governments



371

ruling over them and the disputes existing among them have been triggered

by these governments.

If it were not for this American plan, and the second American plan

proposed by Fahad1

and plans to be brewed in the future, Israel would not

dare to annex the Golan Heights to its territory. These plans cause disputes

and pave the way for Israel. You should not think it is just a matter of Golan

Heights; there is a lot more to it than this. No one should think that such

international bodies human rights groups will do anything for nations. Never

think that opposition to these organizations can have any effect on the crimes

committed by Israel and its like. America has voiced its objection to this

annexation, but no one in his right senses believes that Israel can do anything

without American permission. The problem lies in the neglect governments

that offer their resources as gifts to them and in return bring about

humiliation for themselves and their nations. The problem of all Muslims and

Islam is unawareness or the knowing treason of heads of some countries.

Call on nations to rise up against Israel

It would be a misplaced naive if nations just sit and wait for these

governments to check the progress of Israel and powers that want to

humiliate them and take away their resources. You can see that by this plan,

they have created discord among Arabs. They want to do the same to our

Islamic government by propagating that you buy weapons from Israel, you

organize the terrors and do so and so in Bahrain. They have brewed all sorts

of plots against Muslims. Everyday they broaden the scope of their dispute

and widen the rift among governments and have started getting the results.

The issue of annexing Golan Heights to the occupying Israel is just tip of

the iceberg. Backed by Israel America does whatever it wants, in total

disgraced of these America-made organizations, no matter how much they

oppose it.

Muslims must not sit and let these governments do their job for them;

they must rescue Islam from the hands of Zionism. They must not sit and let

these international organizations do their job for them. Nations must rise up

against Israel; they must not be content with simple condemnations. The

same people who have signed brotherhood contract with Israel condemn it

but it is a condemnation that seems to be serious while is in fact a joke. If

Muslims sit and wait for America to work for them or wait for those installed

by America to work for them, one of the days chosen by the conscious

1 King of Saudi Arabia.


372

Muslims for their unity from many years ago is a feast like the birthday of

our noble Prophet or it can be on other birthdays of feasts. The point is that

people show respect to such days, come together and strengthen their unity.

Cry of hypocrisy from provenance of revelation

As regards the birth anniversary of the prophet (s) some of the Iranian

clergies like Mr. Muntaziri 1

called on Muslims to participate in the

festivities from the twelfth to the seventeenth as a mean for Muslims to meet

and solidify their unity. However, we see a Muslim unaware of Islamic

issues or being dependent on others cries out that showing respect to the

prophet is an act of unbelief. Celebrating birth anniversary of the holy

prophst is an act of unbelief! Anyhow, he condemns Iran and we know the

reason. A court clergy who wants to realize their purpose, stands up against

Muslims and declares that respect for the prophet is an act of unbelief. This

clergy does not know what unbelief means. If respect for the prophet was an

act of unbelief, then the first unbeliever would be the prophet himself. God

respects the prophet to such an extent that in prayers the prophets name is

mentioned; in some places if it is not mentioned the prayer is vitiated. If we

take account of the view of this ignorant court clergy and his friends, every

prayer Muslims have said and every testimony2

to the prophet should be

taken as act of unbelief. All Muslims including this clergy himself are

unbelievers if they say prayer. Obviously, such clergies who call themselves

as Muff is in some Islamic countries have orders to implant dispute. Cry for

unity is raised high from Iran while call for disunity is heard from Hijaz.

From the center of revelation where the prophet called people to unity around

the string of God, a hypocritical clergy lets out a cry of discord, while Iran,

which this court clergy terms unbeliever, calls for unity. What part of the

celebration for the prophet is an act of unbelief? They do not know what

unbelief is. Or they know, but endeavor to implant dispute among Muslims.

We complain about these corrupt and hypocritical clergies and about the

governments which support this type of clergy and accept them as their

domestics. America pursues its own purposes and in order to achieve them, it

needs to create dispute but why do such clergies and governments follow

suit? You have the weapon of oil; if one day you deprive the East and the

West of it, they will obey you. However, you offer part of this oil to America

1 Mr. Husayn-Ali Muntaziri designated from the 12th to the 17th of Rabi al-Awwal as Unity

Week among all Muslims including Sunni and Shiites. 2 In the testimony one should testify that Muhammad is the servant and prophet of God and in

last part of prayer Muslims greet the Prophet.


373

and other superpowers and enslave yourselves. They level every sort of

accusation against the Islamic country of Iran, which has been, since the

beginning of this movement and even before that, opposed to Israel, and one

of the major objections of our people to the deposed Shah was his backing

Israel. Now America and its allies are accusing Iran of buying arms from

Israel and some of the discarded elements from Iran also support this.

Islamic governments, source of Muslims problems

The problem of Muslims is that they have all resources and lands and

number about one billion, but, because of a handful of aberrant people at the

helm they have to obey the superpowers. Iran has come out of slavery and

dealt a big blow to America and other powers and forced them out of this

country. There is harmony among the clergy, university professor, army,

gendarmerie and the nation which will not let other powers interfere.

Definitely, this is something bitter for the cleric who is a hireling of America.

It is bitter for some puppet governments. With all their power, these

governments work to disrupt this harmony and unity of expression.

With all the power at its command, Iran does not covet the territory of

other countries, however weak they might be. On the contrary, it backs them.

It does have power, but it uses this power to support other Muslims. People

like the treacherous Saddam, who has been deceived, uses his power to wipe

out Islam and the Islamic Revolution. Now that he has fallen into the abyss

of perdition, he is stretching his hands to other countries to get him out of

this mess, but they will not be able to help him.

Iran, manifestation of Gods light

Dear military people, clergymen, academicians, farmers, industrialists

and all strata of people! You should appreciate the harmony you have. Islam

has been manifested in your country. Gods light has been manifested in your

country. Appreciate this divine manifestation. Try to increase your activities

as much as you can and keep it up. Army men, revolutionary guards, Basij,

other armed forces and popular forces! Speed up your activities and cut short

criminal hands from your country. Do not give them the chance to pull

themselves together and get help from other places and powers. Young

brothers behind the fronts should engage in activities and voluntarily go to

the theater to solve this problem very quickly. The young are engaged in

many activities, but they should try to do more; everyday should be better

than the day before. They should prepare themselves to stand up against

these superpowers. You should appreciate this divine gift: the harmony and


374

reconciliation among you. This is a great gift that God granted Muslims as

pointed out in the Quran, ―Verily you who were in dispute, we brought you

together.‖1

This is one of the greatest divine gifts. There should be unity

among the diverse strata of a society more than anything else. All of them get

together and shout with one voice that they want Islam and the independence

of the country. They want to be liberated from all bondages of superpowers.

Thank God, they obtained it. Keep this great divine blessing. We should try

to compensate for any possible shortcoming we have had in the war.

Commemorate these days. So do the Arbaiyin, Ashura and their like.

Also commemorate martyrdom anniversaries, like the day of Mufattih,2

(may

Gods mercy be upon him). Those serving Islam and were martyred by the

enemy should be commemorate. You offered so many martyrs to obtain

freedom and independence, preserve tem at any cost. Help all war fronts

until, God willing, this evil is quickly removed and the country gets busy

with reconstruction. May God protect and support all of you and grant you

greater harmony and unity, infuse amity among all strata of the people all

over the country and guide these young adults who were led astray and return

them back to the fold of Islam. May God put an end to this deceit.


1 Surah Al-i Imran 3:103. 2 Martyr Muhammad Mufattih was a preacher of the unity of seminary and university was

martyred on 28 Azar 1358 AHS.


375

Decree

Date: December 23, 1981 [Dey 2, 1360 AHS / Safar 26, 1402 AH]

1


Subject: Appointing a member of the Cultural Revolution Committee

Audience: Muhammad-Rida Mahdawi Kani


Hujjat al-Islam Haj Shaykh Muhammad-Rida Mahdawi Kani—may your

graces last,

I hereby appoint you for the membership of the Cultural Revolution

Committee. It is hoped that in cooperation with the respected members of the

committee and steemed professors, students and officials you will do your

utmost to reopen the universities as soon as possible. God willing, the

honorable Iranian nation will witness scientific activities at the universities

all over the country in the near future. I beseech God to grant success to you,

the other members of the committee and whoever making efforts in this

sphere.



Dey 2, 1360 AHS

1 In Sahifah-ye Nur, the date has been given as 2/11/1360; but according to the handwritten

manuscript the correct data is 2/10/1360.


376

Decree

Date: December 23, 1981 [Dey 2, 1360 AHS / Safar 26, 1402 AH]

1


Subject: Appointing a member of the Cultural Revolution Committee

Audience: Ahmad Ahmadi


Hujjat al-Islam Haj Shaykh Ahmad, Ahmadi—may your graces last,

I hereby appoint you for the membership of the Cultural Revolution

Committee. It is hoped that in cooperation with the respected members of the

committee and esteemed professors, students and officials you will do your

utmost to reopen the universities as soon as possible. God willing, the

honorable Iranian nation will witness scientific activities at the universities

all over the country in the near future. I beseech God to grant success to you

and the other members of the committee and whoever making efforts in this

sphere.



Dey 2, 1360 AHS

1 In hifeh-ye Nur the date has been given as 2/11/1360; but according to the handwritten manuscript the correct date is

2/10/1360.


377

Message

Date: December 28, 1981 [Dey 7, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 1, 1402 AH]


Subject: Attack of superpowers on the culture of the country

Addressee: Academicians, officials and students of teacher training centers


A report arrived from the department of teacher training regarding the

commencement of teacher training all over the country, about which I have

been requested to give a few words. I would like to repeat the importance of

the issue of which I have reminded you. Beyond doubt, in trying to achieve

their evil purposes and tyrannizing the oppressed people of the world, the

superpowers see no better way than attacking the culture of the oppressed

countries. By having Western or Eastern education, teachers or professors

prepare the elementary and high schools for Western or Eastern education of

the youths who will be the future statesmen. With this kind of education that

predisposes the young people toward one of the two poles of power, the way

will be paved for dominating the oppressed countries of the world without

any trouble and arms. As far as they are concerned, the best way to access the

resources and products of the nations and countries is to get hold of one

stratum of the native people and educate them. This way, nations will offer

what they have to them without making any noise and even with enthusiasm

and interest. The biggest blow dealt to this country in the last fifty years

came from deviant professors who were Western-educated and who

governed education centers in the same manner. The harm was much more

than what Rida Khan and his son did. Of course, there were committed

professors and teachers but the others called the shot. We got rid of the evil

of Rida Khan and Muhammad Rida Khan, but we will not rid of the result of

Western and Eastern education any time soon. They are the foothold of the

domination of the superpowers that cannot be disarmed by any logic. Despite

all their failures they have not stopped plotting against the Islamic Republic,

and still try to break down this divine edifice. If the dear nation of Iran and

the oppressed countries of the world want to liberate themselves from the

trap of the satanic superpowers once and for all, they must reform their

culture and make it independent. There is no other way; this road must be

taken by committed professors and teachers in high schools and universities.


378

With education and efforts in various scientific fields and with the right

training and refinement of the educational centers and educating the devious

elements, the youth who are the hope of the nation, should be reformed. They

should be taught in various other fields and be refined through the Islamic

teaching, and Islamic sciences that teach morality and refine the self should

be taught by experts on Islam so that the youths will get acquainted with this

animating and all-inclusive school of thought. With certainty, they must

know that Islam is a school of thought that builds humans in such a way that

the never bow down to anyone except the Truth and the Origin of creation,

never succumb to any influence and never lose interest in their own country.

They also learn from this school to defend their freedom and independence

and avoid egocentricity and shortsightedness which are the underlying cause

of all problems. You, who have buckled down and taken steps in the

direction of education, should be aware of the profundity and worth of your

work and do whatever it takes for this holy goal and devote yourselves to

God and his servants and know that God will grant success to you.




379

Speech

Date/Time: Before noon, December 28, 1981 [Dey 7, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 1,

1402 AH]


Subject: The importance of collective cooperation in furthering the goals

Audience: Families of the martyrs of 7 Tir (tragedy of the explosion of the Head

Office of the Islamic Republic Party), officials from the illiteracy campaign

organization, German-based military college students affiliated with the national

defense


Cooperation is the duty of everyone

Today, this gathering is very dear and blessed; it is very blessed because

some of the people who are present here are the survivors of the martyrs of

the Islamic Republic Party who are the dearest ones of the nation and the

most dedicated ones. The Islamic Republic has benefited a lot from these

dear martyrs and other ones whether in their life time or martyrdom. From

this viewpoint, they are very blessed and honorable. Another group tries to

teach the illiterates and root out illiteracy in the country. They have started a

very important and highly valued work. I hope they will see it through to the

end and with the help of all the people and the government, especially the

people in villages. Through their efforts this task can be fulfilled in a proper

manner, these blights, which are relics of the monarchy, can be eliminated

soon, and our nation will hopefully become knowledgeable, active and

aware.

The thing I must tell you is that nothing can be done in the right without

collective effort. When people sit and just wait, it is unlikely for the

government to be able to tackle everything, and the opposite is equally true.

Nowadays, people and government are not separate from each other. The

main point is having the sense of responsibility. We should feel duty-bound

to help wit everything that is in the interest of our country. With respect to

education of the illiterate, as one of the highest values, all the strata of the

nation whether teachers or learners or others in the country should cooperate.

If those who want to educate slack off, those who want to learn show laxity

and the nation as a whole shows apathy, we will not be able to achieve our

end. All the problems of this country have come to an end or about to come

to an end by the good efforts of all strata of the nation. Therefore, all of us


380

and the entire nation are duty-bound to help with all issues and problems

brought about by the superpowers and their allies so as to frustrate all the

plots. Do not lose hope because God cares about you and will render

ineffective all the plots.

Reminding all strata to abide by the law

The Exalted God says, “Those who assist me, I will assist them,”1

He

knows that our nation and we want to assist Him and His religion and

implement Islamic rules and that right from the beginning of the revolution it

has been the concern of all the nation to fulfill Islam. All the martyrs, our

dear friends from the army, the revolutionary guards and the other military

and non-military strata are pursuing this goal. When all of you, the entire

nation and us are after the victory of Islamic rules the exalted God will help

us with victory. I want to remind all the strata wherever they are, to abide by

the law and regulations of the country. They should help one another and not

protest against each other.

Guidance, the only duty of Islamic associations

Islamic associations all over the country are highly valuable and should

notice two points: the first point is that they must pay attention to the fact that

only the committed individuals must be found in their ranks. Beware that if

there is one deviant person influential in an Islamic association, he will lead

astray association. I have repeatedly said while selecting people for

associations, almost care must be taken. Their personal and family

background, their ex-friends, and their performance before and after the

revolution must be investigated in detail. When you thoroughly investigated

their records and found them to be decent people committed to serve the

nation and Islam, you can select them. One more advice I would like to give

to these clergies is that while you carefully look into the status of the people

working in ministries, army and whatever, your job is just to provide

guidance. If guidance does not get them anywhere, you should inform those

at the top, like the judiciary. If you interfere directly, it will be against the

law and religion. Of course, you should not do such a thing. If you see any of

them suggesting such a thing, you should know that they want to lead you

astray. The same is true about departments and other strata engaged in

activities. The brothers who are making efforts to educate the illiterate in the

entire country should know the background of anyone involved in these jobs



381

and what they did in the past to ensure that there are no devious people

among them who can lead astray the children of this land forever. This is a

very important issue that you brothers working in the Literacy Campaign

Organization should take into account and, God willing, you will do so.

Unity of expression, basis for progress of nation

And what I want to tell the nation is that commitment to Islam and unity

lay the basis of our progress. Commitment to Islam without consensus on

things is useless. Consensus on issues without commitment to Islam is

harmful. You should always bear these two points in mind: commitment to

Islam and unity of expression. You ought to know that this country, the

Majlis, the administration, the army, the revolutionary guards, the Basij and

military forces belong to you and all move in the direction that help elevate

the idea and develop the country in all aspects. If you want to liberate your

country from the clutches of superpowers once and for all, you should make

your commitment to Islam firmer day by day and be more active to maintain

unity among all strata.

Unity of the Islamic governments makes for self-sufficiency

Another issue I would like to point out to others outside of the country is

that if Islamic governments with all their numerous forces and resources

unite together, they will not need anything or any country or power. If you

hoist the banner of unity, it is they who will need you. If Muslims and

Islamic countries keep the brotherhood pact the Exalted God has cited in the

Quran, neither Afghanistan nor Palestine nor other countries will come

under attack. If Islamic countries have unity of expression, they will not need

to stretch their hands before America or the Soviet Union. What do need

them for? Only when you are disunited you will need them. Why do

countries commanding such great support as the glorious Quran, the beloved

Islam and the great God not get united? When they have such support that

always calls them to unity there is no reason for disunity. Why do we have

disunity when we have Gods Book and the beloved Islam? Iran is a country

committed to Islam and has risen up against all powers opposed to Islam and

is moving forward. Why do you invite the Islamic governments against Islam

and an Islamic country? This Islamic country has gone to great pains for

Islam and has offered martyrs and homeless people. So why do the Islamic

governments which claim to be Muslim joining forces to oppose a country

like Iran? They have seen that despite being small, Iran enjoys the support of

God and Islam, has stood against all powers and is moving ahead. With every


382

day passing, the country is getting out of chaos and everything will be

alright. It is, however, a pity that other countries do not take Iran as a model.

Why do they not take Iran as a model and thus create unity of expression?

Those countries failing to come to terms with their nations and others would

suffer defeat at the hands of Israel. You saw that Israel captured Golan

Heights without caring for any one of you, declaring that no power could

make Israel back down from its decision. Why instead of uniting all your

resources against Israel are you encouraging disunity among yourselves in

such a situation? Israel is the enemy of Islam and humanity; it is your own

enemy and the enemy of Arabs. Why take side? Taking side is against Islam

and the glorious Quran. The glorious Quran calls you to unity while you

call for disunity and confrontation with each other. You should come to your

senses and make Islam your model; all should submit to Islam and act

according to Islam that calls you to unity. If you are united, no country

encroach upon you. Israel would not dare to stay in these countries and

occupy your land if you were united. At present, because you are not united,

Israel is hollering that no power can stand up against it because it is backed

by America. But our nations are backed by God.

What has happened that you are taking side? You know that taking side

is not in your best interests. Islam wants you to unite. Stick to the string of

God. Why not let the string of God bring you together? Every one is siding

either with the West or East. Come and put a stop to such things and unite.

Be like brothers to each other as prescribed by God: ―the believers are

brothers to one another‖.1

Be like brothers to each other and unite against the

opponents of Islam. Rest assured that if you unite, you will emerge

victorious; no power, be it in the East or the West, can rule over you. I

beseech God to familiarize the heads of the Islamic countries with the

Islamic rules and with the interests of Muslims. I hope God will grant

success to all of you and to the brothers serving in the Literacy Campaign

Organization.


1 Surah al-Hujjrat 49:10.


383

Speech

Date/Time: Morning, December 29, 1981 [Dey 8, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 2, 1402 AH]


Subject: Need for unity and solidarity and overcoming disputes among Muslims

Audience: Friday prayer leaders from provinces of Bakhtaran and Ilam1


Unity among Muslims, one of the blessings of the revolution

I would like to thank the clergies for taking the trouble to come to this

humble house which they have lightened up. It is one of the blessings of the

revolution that sometimes the clergies from different places can get together.

In such meetings attended by both Sunni and Shiites Muslims I would like

to discuss some points. The question of unity among all Muslim brothers is

an Islamic issue, about which God has commanded everyone to stick

together and not to be disunited. 2

Its secret is quite clear; that is, the best way

for those who want to take advantage of Islamic countries is to implant

dispute among the brothers. Well, one way is to create dispute among the

Sunni brothers and Shiites. They have worked a lot on this, but their attempt

in Iran has not, thank God, borne them any fruit. Muslims here have come

together and become united. However, the enemies will not let similar unity

take place elsewhere. The agents of superpowers do not want such a thing to

happen outside Iran and keep on bringing up issues.

Muslims unity blocks foreign aggression

See how good and valuable is the Unity Week, proposed by Mr.

Montaziri from Qum, that can bring together and unite the brothers. Well,

there is no main point of difference; there is only a minor difference in dates.

Some of us believe that it is the twelfth 3

and some of your clergies say it is

1 Messrs. Ashrafi Isfahani (representative of Imam and Friday prayer leader in Bakhtaran,

Muhammadi (Friday prayer leader of Ilam); Mowahhdi Qumi (Friday prayer leader of

Islamabad); Abdul-Husayn Sabzavari (Friday prayer leader of Tuyserkan); Muhammad

Baghir Muhammadi Iraqi (Friday prayer leader of Kangawar); Ghadir Ghadiri (Friday prayer

leader of Paveh); Muhsin Nimati (Friday prayer leader of Nosarad); Salih Abidi and Fakhri

(representative of Javanrud clergies). 2 Surah Al-I Imran 3:103. 3 Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 439.


384

the twelfth. This does not mean that they have not one origin; we have one

origin. Stick together and be brothers to each other. Our prophet is one. At

the same time that there is a voice calling to unity, we hear another voice

from Hijaz calling celebration of the prophets birth anniversary is an act of

unbelief—I do not know on what basis? Why is it an act of unbelief? Of

course, this person is Wahhabi. Even Sunni Muslims do not approve of

Wahhabis. Not only we, but also all our Sunni brothers do not recognize the

Wahhabis. Do you think that such a thing as celebrating for the prophet and

paying tribute to him can make people unbelievers? This time it is not just

related to Iran; it is something to do with showing respect toward the prophet

which all Muslims do. Why have the y focused on Iran and say that Iranians

celebrate the birth anniversary of the prophet, they are unbelievers? Well it is

quite clear: Iran is a place in which the notion of unity has emerged. The

point is that unity among Muslims, whether Shiite brothers or Sunni or

nations or governments, has always been our aim. If Muslims are united, no

one will impinge upon them, because there are one billion people with

enormous resources at their command. While we have all resources, land and

everything, what has happened that we are under the domination of two

superpowers? Well, the reason is that we did not listen to the Quran; our

governments did not listen to the Quran which states ―O you who believe!

Take not the Jews and Christians for friends….‖1

Actually most of them are

their agents and not friends. At the time of Rida Khan the interests of this

country were given away and then they curried favor with them. At the

moment the same is true about other places. Why should be like that?

Because we are not on the same wavelength.

Unity cause of our resistance against superpowers

They have not realized that it was due to harmony that a small country

with a population of about 30 million—compared with one billion

Muslims—was able to topple a powerful 2500-year-old regime. This victory

was become all brothers got together, resolved the differences they had or

had been created for them, closed their ranks and became unanimous. In fact,

non of them voiced support for us. I was in Paris and knew that all were

against us, but when unity was created, they recognized us. Well, some of

them still aggravate differences. We cry for unity and have declared the

Unity Week, because we have one religion, one Quran and one prophet

while they still take side against us. recently they have asked all the Islamic

1 Surah al-Maidah 5:51.


385

countries to get united to oppose Iran. Well, those who call for such a thing

including the comrades around the Gulf never think that if they put all their

power together, they cannot cope with the power of the Shah who was

backed by the U.S. and in whom America was more interested than any of

these Shaykhs, because he was a much better agents for the U.S. Now if any

of these Shaykhs is topple, America will not care at all. They do not think

that they can not oppose the government of Iran; I mean a sort of opposition

that can have an effect. Second, there is no reason to oppose us. Finally, two

or more Islamic countries which see that Israel, their main enemy, continues

with its aggression and does not care about any of them, have left Israel aside

and turned on Iran, insists on getting rid of Israel, and urges all to get out of

domination of the superpowers. If Muslims come together and unite, they

will have great power to oppose them. They need you, but you do not need

them. They want your oil. The lifeline of these superpowers is in the hands of

Muslims; they need you. Well, while they need us, why do you have to be

subservient to them? Why do you offer your oil to them? You offer them

things that belong to your people. You have become a market for America

and the Soviet Union. The reason is that, politically speaking, we are not

mature.

Serving not commanding

These governments do not know that if they come to terms with their

people. They will become more powerful than the time they are separate

from their nations are allied with the U.S. If they are on good terms with the

nations. The nations will not reject them, because the want a government like

the Iranian government. Now, in Iran there is no social stratum that says they

do not want this government; they all want it because they all serve people;

they do not want to rule over the people; they want to serve them. They

present themselves as officials at the service of people. They say, ―A society

needs an administration, and we are here to run your affairs, we do not want

to lord it over you, oppress or plunder you.‖ We are all friends. For example,

a group of us is well-versed in political issues, the people chooses them for

government; now that the people do not want a government. The people want

an Islamic and compassionate government. You, governments outside of Iran

know what the situation is like in Iran and what it was like before? In the past

if, lets say, a war broke out at the time of Muhammad-Rida, it would not be

possible for the nation to be on his side; they would have prayed for him to

get defeated. I witnessed an instance of this argument when the allies came

into Iran. Though everything for Iranian Muslims was at stake, they thanked


386

the allied forces because they ousted Rida Khan. Well, people thanked the

aliens for coming and ridding them of the king, and it shows that this ouster

was a gift for the nation. They do not think of what things were like back

then and what they are like right now. There is war West and south of the

country and the entire people of the country from East to north help one

another with foodstuff and every way possible. If other countries become like

this where the people have understanding and think of the people as part of

them, the people are better than many of us, when they think that the people

are better than themselves and are like themselves and come to terms with

them, the people will choose them and work for them. If such a thing

happens in the Islamic countries no one can oppose Muslims. Unfortunately,

some of their clergies implant dispute; they go to Taif and turn it into the

hotbed of dispute. From there they want to implant dispute between Sunni

and Shiite brothers in Iran. From there they draw up a plan to implant a

dispute here. The reason why they want to implant a dispute here is that

people here have became united and thus check the intervention of the

superpowers in their affairs.

Harmony of the nation is a gift from God

Therefore, we should not forget to be grateful to God for this divine gift

that He has endowed upon the nation. We should be grateful to God that the

people now have one view, one purpose and one way. If there are problems,

well, then everywhere there are problems. It can be said that the Soviet

Union which staged a revolution about sixty some years ago does not have

food supply; they have these same queues you see here; they need America

for their food supply, have many internal disputes, but put them down by

force. If one day the Kremlin forgets about the use of force, it will

understand what the Soviet Union is; all will oppose it. But here at the

present everyone is on good terms and are friends to one another. Of course

there are some grumbles but they are friendly ones which can be resolved. A

revolution as big as this and I do not think that no revolution as big as this

which with a few people and with having nothing, could defeat such a power

which had everything and all supported it and now the revolution is properly

advancing. Iran got rid of powers and no one power has anything to do with

Iran and this is their main concern that we should not we interfere and God

willing they will not interfere till the end. My advice to those Shaykhs and

those around the Gulf is that they pay attention to such issues. They should

not think that with their coming together something will happen. No. if all of

you get together, you will pale in comparison to Muhammad-Rida, yet we


387

defeated him, but we want to be friends, comrades and brothers to you and to

stick together. Aside from that, we should be united against those who

oppose Islam ―one hand against the aliens‖1

and not to quarrel among

ourselves.

As for you the clergies I pray for you who should call the people to unity

and solidarity. If they have any problem, the clergies should resolve it.

Maybe there are some small disputes everywhere now. Friday and

congregational prayer leaders should resolve the problems of the people; they

should have understanding with the people and talk to one another. And

anywhere the governors should act in ways that can keep the people satisfied.

People are satisfied when you act well. The people are satisfied with you. I

hope that God favors us and we do not ruin this harmony and unity of

expression we have achieved. Maintain the unity among all the brothers.


1 It refers to a hadith by the Prophet, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 28, p. 104


388

Decree

Date: December 31, 1981 [Dey 10, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 4, 1402 AH]


Subject: Appointment of Friday prayer leader of Shiraz

Addressee: Muhammad-Sadiq Hairi Shirazi (Muhyiddin)


Hujjat al-Islam Haj Skaykh Muhammad-Sadiq (Muhyiddin) Hairi Shirazi-

may your graces last,

At the request of the respected people of Shiraz, I appoint you as the

Friday prayer leader of the city. God willing, besides carrying out this great

duty you will familiarize the people with other duties related to the dear

Islam and the revolution of the honorable Iranian nation.

It is hoped that the respected people in general and the grand ulama and

the revolutionary institutions in particular will take the chance to fully

cooperate with you in performing the Friday prayer. I beseech God to grant

success to all of you.



Dey 10, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 4, 1402 AH


389

Decree

Date: January 3, 1982 [Dey 13, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 7, 1402 AH]


Subject: Appointment of representative in Reconstruction Jihad

Addressee: Abdullah Nuri


Hujjat al-Islam Haj Shaykh Abdullah Nuri —may your graces last,

Since Hujjat al-Islam Natiq Nuri 1

is preoccuped with the Ministry of the

Interior and is not able to efficiently attend to the affairs of Jihad, I appoint

you as my representative in Jihad so that by participating in meetings of the

Jihad Central Council, you inform me the major decisions taken there. I hope

you will carefully supervise the movement of this revolutionary organization

and in case of any deviation, you must deal with it decisively. The respected

members of the organization are required to cooperate with you when need

arises. I beseech God to grant success to all of you in Islamizing this

organization more and more.


Dey 13, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 7, 1402 AH

1 Ali-Akbar Natiq Nuri, the then Minister of the Interior.


390

Commemoration Letter Date: January 4, 1982 [Dey 14, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 8, 1402 AH]


Subject: Honoring Martyr Sayyid Abdul-Husayn Dastaghayb


It was suggested to me to write a few words in commemoration of the

great martyr Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin the late Haj Sayyid Abdul-

Husayn Dastaghayb 1—may his grave be blessed.

The memory of this martyr is alive in the heart of the lovers of virtue and

the loyal Iranian nation. The altar of the mosque of Shiraz will not forget the

angelic tune of this martyr. The humanizing lessons he imparted to

committed individuals are eternal. Dastaghayb ascended to heaven and

departed to be in the presence of God. Though his is gone, he lives an eternal

life in the presence of God. Those godless people, are bent on murdering

these leader of virtue and great wayfarers toward the Beloved, are against

virtue and truth. They think that by such inhuman acts, of the lovers of

martyrdom and those aspiring to meet God. They have not experienced the

taste of faith in God and love for Him and are like bats who run away when

the sun rises. They are dead because they want to block the road to truth and

destroy Islam by carrying out their heinous acts. The Omnipotent God

revealed the great Islam and ensured its preservation. God will safeguard

Islam. I beseech God to bestow mercy upon these martyrs, especially this

martyr, who was mentor of morality and dedicated to self-edification, and to

grant patience and reward to his survivors.



Dey 14, 1360 AHS / Rabial-

Awwal 8, 1402 AH

1 Martyr Sayyid Abdul-Husayn Dastghayb was one of the loyal followers of the revolution led

by Imam Khomeini. He served as the representative of the Imam and Friday prayer leader of

Shiraz. After a long life of scholarity, moral and political Jihad he was killed in an explosion

by a terrorist from munafiqin hypocrite organization on his way to do his duty as Friday prayer

leader on Azar 20, 1360 AHS.


391

Speech



Subject: Need to avoid dispute between Sunni and Shiites Muslims

Audience: Indian Muslims


The problem of Muslims lies in the disputes among the strata of Muslims.

Since today is the day of awakening of all nations, Muslims must wake up.

From what I understand, in India, especially in New Delhi, there is a

dispute between Sunni Muslim brothers and Shiites. I send this message to

both of them and implore God to call upon all Muslims to stick together

around ―the String of God‖1

and not to be disunited. They should have

realized this by now that all the problems are caused by the disputes among

Muslims.

If Muslims of the world come together and do not have any dispute, none

of these problems will occur to them. If the Indian Muslims, whether Sunnis

or Shiites, reach an understanding, come together and act upon Islamic

fundamentals, they will get rid of these problems afflicting them throughout

their long history.

Today, all of us need to be aware of the depth of issues and know that the

superpowers create disputes reap benefits. It is not a proper time for Muslims

to have disputes.

Shiites and Sunnis should be united and forget about disputes. Together,

they should engage in social and political affairs so that, God willing,

disputes and problems are resolved one after the other. May God awaken

Muslims wherever they are and may God acquaint all of them with their

divine duties. May all come together under the banner of unity so that, God

willing, all problems are resolved.

May Gods peace and mercy be upon him.



392

Message



Subject: Appreciating the victory of the Islamic army on the southern and Western

fronts

Audience: Combatants of Islam


“Verily you assist God; God shall assist you and make you stand your

ground.” 1

The news of the astounding victory of the armed forces of Islam in

collaboration with all the dear combatants is highly appreciated. I extend my

salutation and appreciation to the respected commanders, soldiers and the

honorable revolutionary guards. I expect that with determination and

harmony of all the combatants, the country would be quickly purged of the

contaminated presence of the unbelievers—may God forestall them.

I beseech God to grant health and victory to all. I hope I would get the

news of the ultimate victory very soon. I beseech God to grant health to the

dear combatants, commanders, officers, non-commissioned officers,

revolutionary guards, mobilized forces, paramilitary forces and all the armed

forces who are the backbone of the revolution.




393

Letter Date: January, 1982 [Dey, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal, 1402 AH]


Subject: Religious funds—receipt of a gift

Addressee: Mahdi-Yar (a lady)

[Your Highness, Leader of the Revolution and Founder of the Islamic

Republic of Iran—may your blessings last,

At first, I would like to extend my salutations and greetings to your

Eminence. This humble woman in time of the despotic regime managed to

visit the House of God free of charge. Later, I was notified that Mr. Khoyi

has said that one fifth of the donated money should be given back as

religious tax. Being unable to read and write, I did not take notice of it. Now,

in this Islamic Republic I want to help the oppressed people as much as I can.

Besides working at home, I work as a tailor, so please allow me to register

for the pilgrimage next year. So please give me a registration letter. By the

way, as a reminder last night in my dream a woman gave me a bundle of

cloth for three shirts and told me to sew three shirts; one for Hadrat Ali and

one for Imam Hasan and the third one for Imam Husayn. Please accept this

shirt this humble woman has sewn. In conclusion, I hope God will prolony

the presence of this great Imam for Iran and the world.

O God! O God keep Imam Khomeini till the Revolution of Mahdi.

15/10/60 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 10, 1402 AH

Address: Shiraz-intersection of Sug Wakil-Kharrazi Abdul-

Ali Mahdi-Yar]


Respected sister, your letter arrived. Your hajj is valid even assuming

that religious tax is leveled on donation. But religious tax is not leveled on

donation.

May God grant success to you. I received your gift shirts with

appreciation.


394



395

Permission Date: January 9, 1982 [Dey 19, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 13, 1402 AH]


Subject: Permission in financial and religious law affairs

Addressee: Muhammad-Ali Shari


Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds: may peace and salutation be upon

Muhammad and his pure progeny; and His curse be upon all their enemies,

Hujjat al-Islam Aqa Shaykh Muhammad-Ali Shari—may his graces

last—who has devoted part of his noble life to studying religious sciences in

the holy theological seminary of Qum is authorized on my behalf to take

charge of financial affairs, collect religious funds and to spend sadats share

on prescribed cases. He is authorized spend half of the blessed share of

Imam—may Gods peace be upon him—on spreading the Islam and send the

other half to me to be spent theological seminaries—may God protect them.

―I advise him, may God Almighty assist him, as we have been advised

by the pious predecessors to keep company of piety and to evade carnal

desires and to be continuous.‖


brethren.


Rabi al-Awwal 13, 1402 AH


396

Speech



Subject: Explaining the blessings of the revolution

Occasion: Birth anniversary of the noble prophet (s) and Imam Sadiq, Unity Week

Audience: Different strata of people-foreign guests and Sunni clergies taking the

unity trip, workers of Housing Foundation, managers of post and

telecommunications, participants in the seminar ―Seminary and University‖-students

of the student unit of the Islamic Republic party


Unity, an example of the blessings of Islamic Revolution

I congratulate all Muslims on the auspicious birth anniversary of the seal

of prophets and his honorable son Imam Sadiq. I beseech God to bless all

Muslims.

Today, in this small, yet luminous and great meeting all schools of

Muslims including our Sunni and Shiite brothers, universities and

theological seminaries and different strata of people have assembled. This is

an example of the blessings of the Islamic Revolution God has bestowed

upon all of us. By His grace we have became brothers.1

The universities, that

used to be apart from seminaries, are today united with them. It is hoped that

this unity will remain forever Sunni and Shiite brothers have initiated the

unity of expression and I hope this unity will remain till the end.

Need to look into the actions of the enemies

We should pay close attention to what our enemies analyze them and see

on which aspects of the Muslims they put emphasis, and know that there is

something harmful for Islam and Muslims in everything they regard as

significant. We should find out from their words and deeds what they want

and what we must do. As you see in the last few centuries thanks to

increasing communication; all people in the world have become like a single

family. You should find out how the great powers been able to rule over

other countries and plunder their resources, and then based on what ways and

methods they have chosen, we should try to find ways to counteract them.



397

Efforts of the enemy to separate theological seminaries from the university

When we look at Iran we see that lots of efforts have been made to

implant dispute between two wings: the university and the clergy.If these two

unite, things will be reformed in the country. How hard have they tried to

implant dispute between these two! One could not mention the name of a

clergy in university and the reverse was equally true. This was the result of

their massive propaganda intensified by our inattentiveness. These problems

were due to our inattention, and we received the heaviest blow from disunity.

The university ran the country and when it became corrupt, the whole

country followed suit. We saw how in the last century, especially the last

fifty years, they strove hard to implant dispute between Sunni and Shiite

brothers. They tried every means possible and drove these two wings apart to

the extent that each school apostatized the other and each one set up its own

party in the country. This is not just confined to this country; in all countries

these two schools were pitted against each other. The parties set up by these

two schools and their leaders were unaware of what they were doing. Each

party was an enemy of the other and each stratum was an enemy of the other.

So we see that the thing which they insist on the most is that we should not

come together, we should not be brothers to one another and that Muslims,

wherever they are should be of different forms. One form is nationalism with

terms such as Persian, Arabic and Turkish to signify the differences.

Nationalism in this sense means that every country whatever its language is

stands up against another country with another language; this confuses the

basic mission of the messengers. All the messengers, from the first to the

Seal of Prophets called people to brotherhood, unity and fraternity. In

contrast to them, a strata that was educated in the West or the East and

wittingly and unwittingly raised the issues of nationalism and instead of

focusing on questions such as what Muslims and the Islamic nation should be

like. They, gave rise to things such as what Arabs, Turks, Persians should be

like.

Emphasis of Islam on brotherhood of believers

Various colors, this is white, that one is black and the other one yellow

all these issues cause schism by these satanic superpowers that want to cause

rupture among nations and individuals. On the other hand, we see that Islam

leans on fraternity in different expressions. The believers and brothers1

we

1 Surah al-Hujurat 49:10.


398

learn from this verse that there is nothing among believers but brotherhood;

everything about them can be summed up in brotherhood. The superpowers

realized that if this brotherhood were to come true, they could not interfere

with other countries.

You can look at the last few years when the Iranian nation aided by God,

rose up and the million-strong people, whether clergy or university people,

worked side by side actively. The entire nation became united. What a

miracle they have worked! Look at what miracle did this brotherhood make

in such a small environment as Iran with a small population against colossal

populations. The reason for this miracle is the unity of expression and

brotherhood; this fraternity and brotherhood which were created in Iran along

with this great change harmonized all the strata. The Sunni with their Shiite

brothers, the university has become one with the religious study centers and

brought Turk, Arab and Persian. Look at what this unity in a limited country

with a limited population has done to the superpowers. It is not without a

reason that all the mass media of almost all countries, definitely that of the

superpowers and some other countries are trying hard to project a bad image

of Iran to Muslims, to present the Islamic Republic as something bad.

Propaganda against Iran has engulfed the whole world. What has happened

that Iran has become the center of propaganda and other attacks? There is no

other reason except the fact that in Iran the sense of brotherhood has been

realized to a very large extent and they have seen that with this unity and

harmony in Iran and that other Islamic countries are catching on is a big peril

that can destroy all the interests of the superpowers. If they did not have this

fear that Iran could spread this contagion of brotherhood to other countries

and if countries were on their own and Iran on its own and there were not any

brotherhood between Iran and others, they would not have attacked this

much. All this attack whether propaganda or otherwise is because they have

seen how a little harmony has cut short their hands from here. If this

harmony is to be realized and God willing it will happen, the hands of the

superpowers would be cut off from the resources of Muslims and from all the

oppressed people of the world. This unity of expression which has

materialized in the country has made other countries contact us. Others are

also trying to brothers with Iranians. I hope that governments will wake up,

look into issues and see whether all Muslims are together and is each one

independent in his country. Which one is good for all Muslims to be united

under the banner of Islam or for each country to be against the other? What

can help overcome the problems of all countries and those of the Muslims, is

it brotherhood among Muslims that God has recommended or disunity? Can


399

governments better drive out these invaders when they are united or when

they are disunited?

Following the glorious Quran and the beloved Islam

We, the nation of Iran, the government of Iran and all Iranians extend our

hands to all Muslims and ask them to join this nation and strengthen

brotherhood. All Muslims should have a bond of brotherhood. We extend our

hands to all Islamic countries and want them to join us and be brothers with

us, as Islam has said so that we overcome our problems. They should not

think this unity in Iran is harmful to them. Iran is an Islamic country and

wishes welfare for all Muslims. Iran sees all Muslims as their own brothers

and we want all Muslims, governments and nations to be united for this goal

we have: Islam.

We are not after anything; we want neither government in the sense the

superpowers want, nor power in that sense. We all want to follow the

glorious Quran and the beloved Islam which will run everything for us.

Learn from the unity that exists among all sects and groups in our country. W

have been able to solve all the problems imposed on us from all sides thanks

to this unity. Look how unity in a small population and in small environment

has drawn the attention of the world to it and how it scared the superpowers.

If this power of about thirty million joins the power of the Islamic countries

with a population of one billion, no power can control this massive flood of

one billion people.

Declaration of brotherhood with world Muslims

According to the decree of God, we declare our brotherhood to all

Muslims of the world, the governments of the Islamic countries, the Muslim

nation whatever their school is and wherever they are. We declare we do not

have any intention of encroaching upon any Islamic or non-Islamic state. We

want all the Islamic countries to be brothers to one another just like the

Iranian government and nation, which are in full agreement with each other,

unlike the former regime where the Iranian government was against the

nation and the nation against the government. Therefore, as soon as the

nation found harmony, the superpowers could not keep the one who was their

unconditional agents.

We want all countries to have this kind of harmony we have here. All

Muslims should be one hand against the aliens. Everyone in his own

environment with whatever government and whatever sect, should be

independent. Muslims should be brothers and friends to one another; they


400

should relate to each other; armies of all Islamic countries should support one

another. If it were not for disunity among Muslims Israel with its little

population would not dare to disregard Muslims. If there were no dispute

among Islamic governments and Islamic countries, America could not rule

over all countries and take away all their resources. We plan to keep our

country independent, to live free and to come to terms with all Muslims of

the country and with all inhabitants of the country. We wish to be united with

official sects, to stick together and to preserve our country. No power can

harm us if we have harmony in this small environment and with this

population.

Call on guests to study Iran

Let the gentlemen coming here from different countries for the blessed

Unity Week study the situation in Iran. Let them listen to the mass media of

the superpowers and their followers and study the situation in Iran. Look at

the situation and see if what they say is true. Does the government of Iran kill

infants? Does the government of Iran kill Muslim children? Is the

government now shaky and bankrupt? Has it lost control of everything? Has

the Iranian nation turned their back on the Islamic Republic? Is there any

dispute among the nation? Let them study and let them go to the theater. If

all of them cannot go, each group can send a representative to see what

Saddam has done to our country. Let them see the ruins this pervert has done

to the country at the command of superpowers. Let them see our refugee

camps and let them go and see our war zones and see our army, our

revolutionary guards and the entire nation who are our revolutionary guards.

Let them see everything; they then can reflect their observations. You, who

have come here of your own free will and have lightened up this country, go

and see these things. Is there chaos in the provinces? Is everything turned

upside down? Has Iran become so shaky that it cannot stand on its own feet?

Or is this just propaganda spread against Muslims of the world so that they

will not be impressed by this great harmony in Iran? You who have come

here can reflect these issues when you go back to your countries. If the mass

media listens to you and if newspapers reflect your words, go and put

forward the events in Iran. The miracle that happened in Iran and the great

change that took place are unique. Brothers are sitting beside one another;

everyone is united and, thank God, the armed forces of Iran are strong and

powerful and Iranian nation is patient and strong. They acted on the Quranic

verse; ―the believers are brothers to one another.‖ All of you should take


401

notice of this verse. Let all stick together around the string of God1

. Let all be

brothers so that in heaven-brothers over his lordship and be brothers. If you

are not brothers here it is not clear whether you will be in heaven. I beseech

God to familiarize all Muslims of the world with their duties and to reconcile

between all Islamic governments and their nations. Make all Islamic nations

and governments brother. Cultivate brotherhood between all the clergies and

the universities in the entire Islamic world. I thank all the different groups for

coming here. I cannot mention their names individually; I can not thank them

individually; I can only thank the Housing Foundation for taking a great deal

of trouble. Today, Mr. Rasuli2

who is informed of issues, told me that they

are very patient servants who have done lots of important things. I thank all

the brothers who have come from different countries to take part in Unity

Week. I beseech God to grant health and happiness to all of you.


1 Surah Al-i Imran 3:103 2 Mr. Sayyid Hashem Rasuli Mahallati, one of the members of Imam Khomeini Office.


402

Decree



Subject: Granting amnesty to prisoners

Occasion: Birth anniversary of the prophet (s)

Addressee: Sayyid Abdul-Karim Muswi Ardabili (Chief Justice)

[Your Highness Ayatullah Imam Khomeini, Leader of the Revolution and

Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran—may your sublime presence last,

Enclosed herewith is the list of seven prisoners of the Islamic

revolutionary courts whose official pardon or mitigation of sentence has been

approved by the judiciary pending your approval.

Chief Justice, Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi—21/10/60 AHS]


I agree with this.1


Dey 22, 1360 AHS

1 In accordance with the duties and authorities of the leader under article 110 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of

Iran.


403

Decree







Your Highness Ayatullah Imam Khomeini, Leader of the Revolution and


Enclosed herewith is the list of 47 prisoners of the Islamic revolutionary

courts of Iran whose official pardon or mitigation of sentence has been

approved by the judiciary pending your approval.



I agree with this.1


Dey 22, 1360 AHS

1 In accordance with the duties and authorities of the leader under article 110 of the



404

Decree





Addressee: Sayyid Abdul-Karim Musawi Ardabili (Chief Justice)



Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran—may your sublime presence last;


revolutionary courts of Iran whose official pardon or mitigation of sentence

has been approved by the judiciary pending your approval.

Chief Justice, Sayyid Abdul—Karim Musawi—21/10/60

AHS]


I agree with this.1


Dey 22, 1360 AHS

1 In accordance with the duties and authorities of the leader under article 110 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of

Iran.


405

Decree









Enclosed herewith is the list of 74 prisoners whose official pardon or

mitigation of sentence has been approved by the Judiciary and the Amnesty

Commission on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the noble messenger

(s) pending your approval.



I agree with this.1


Dey 22, 1360 AHS




406

Speech


1


Subject: Call of the Quran to unity among Muslims; the great responsibility of the

clergies

Audience: Friday prayer leader of Gilan Province2


Qurans emphasis on unity

One of the blessings of the revolution is that today we, clergies, can have

close contact with the whole country. I guess this is the first time I have a

meeting with the ulama of this region and can talk to them. ulama and

clergies of oter places also come here to talk and raise issues. This is one of

great blessings. Part of your talk was about the fact that Hadrat Amir (Gods

peace be upon him) spoke about Islam and Jihad. What I want to say is that

Islam has dealt with everything.

The Quran has put emphasis on the issue of unity and has mentioned it

using various expressions.3

The important thing is that Muslims must act on

Islam and Quran; this is our duty. Islam pays attention to everything related

to human life here and there and everything related to human development,

human education, human value and in none of the current schools of

thought—the perverted ones—have such issues been accorded this much

attention. For instance, before a man and woman enter into marriage, Islam

adequately talks about the rules of marriage, pregnancy, raising and bringing

up children. No one should say about Islam that there is something which is

not in Islam and now we found it. In case we once see that we cannot find it

we have to search for where it is, because it is definitely there, it is a problem

for Muslims. Islam has talked about everything, but Muslims must go after it.

Even this issue of unity that you talked about and now praise be to God, it is

1 In Sahifeh-ye Nur the date has been given as 23/10/60. 2 Messrs: Ihsan-Bakhsh (Friday Prayer Leader of Rasht); Shams (Friday Prayer Leader of

Langarud); Qurbani (Friday Prayer Leader of Lahijan); Yekta (Friday Prayer Leader of

Sumiah Sara), Gatil Zadeh (Friday Prayer Leader of Bander-Anzali); Auchag-Nejad (Friday

Prayer Leader of Austara); Safawi (Friday Prayer Leader of Fuman); Qods (Friday Prayer

Leader of Kalachi); Shafii ( Friday Prayer Leader of Chapkasr); Natiqi (Friday Prayer Leader

of Hashtpar). 3 Similar to Surah Al-i Imran 3:103.


407

Unity Week and the birth of the prophet (s) and his great son Sadiq, may

Gods peace be upon him.

Enemy fans the flames by creating discord

Human beings can achieve their aspirations—aspirations of this world

and the next world. Unity has been recommended and called for in the

Quran. Imams of Muslims have called for it. Basically, the call for Islam is a

call for unity; that is, all should be united by the word Islam and be in peace.

But as you have seen, they did not let this unity materialize. Lately, they have

aggravated the disputes, because their experts realize that if this big Islamic

community ever come together and get united, no power can stand up against

it and no power can dominate it. The they use to get to their evil purposes is

to create disunity among all the groups. Wherever you go, even small towns,

you can see disunity, though it is in decline. Disunity is still there. In every

city or area there are some conflicting groups.

In Ashura which is supposed to be a focal point of unity in all the cities,

we saw that even in holy cities there are differences among the chest-beating

processions. This shows that we are not mature and that there are hands at

work that have penetrated all places including the chest-beating processions.

Instead of coming together under the banner of Imam Husayn (Gods peace

be upon him) the mourners are engaged in disputes. This group does it this

way and that one in a different way. There are disputes among quarters.

Apart from such cases, they have even created disputes in big cities between

the clergies and the people. They would set up a party which was a source of

dispute and whatever they came up with was intended not to let this society

unite. Unfortunately, it had an impact even on the highest echelon of the

clergies and intellectuals. Instead of checking these disputes these clergies

themselves got involved in it. I think today is the day when we have

understood everything. The people have also understood it. By the grace of

the Islamic Revolution, the political perspective of layman has also

broadened. Today, they are involved in all the issues. All strata of people

have understood these issues; they have matured. Women who were totally

excluded from everything in the society and who could never find a way, are,

thank God, involved. In a very appropriate way, they maintain the religious

standards and have classes, propaganda and everything.


408

Reforming the society entails reforming the clergies

The clergies must know these things. If a clergy is upright, everything

will be right; if, God forbid, he is corrupt, the people will be corrupted too.1

When I was young, sometimes I used to go to some places where people

were good. I used to go to Mahallat, a city near Khomein. I saw how

religious and good the people were. At times, when one became aware, one

saw how good that clergy was over there. One or two clergies were good and

people were good by following them. Whenever a clergy is good, everything

will be good too. Of course, he should be a rational and religious clergy. If

corruption, God forbid, finds its way into this stratum, it will spread. The

people have their eyes on this stratum to see what they do.

For this reasons we have a big responsibility on our shoulders. None of

us, none of the Friday prayer leaders, congregational prayer leaders and none

of the ulama have any excuse anymore. If we had this excuse sometimes

back, today we do not. We used to argue that we could not confront force and

that if we said a word we would be put to jail. Well, these were excuses.

Today, we do not have any excuse. God has finalized the matter for us. We

cannot say we did not do it because we could not. Today, all of you can

reform your own environment. By reforming yourselves and by developing

rapport with people and the officials everything can be reformed.

For this reason we are all duty-bound to preserve unity in our areas. Each

one in his city, town or village! If all of us develop rapport among ourselves

and spread the word that we must all unite and work together to resolve the

problems we are facing, people will, thank god, follow suit. You can see that

if something was to be done in the past, the people took the trouble to do it

because they saw that the government was corrupt. Supposing tat it wanted to

do something in the interests of people, they would look down on it. If they

told the people to say ―there is no God but God‖, people would hate it. They

would see that this ―there is no God but God‖ came out of a mouth that did

not believe in it. Today, as you can see, all over the country the people are

after furthering this movement. If there are a few individuals still engaged in

dispute, the people themselves will settle the dispute.

Difficult and great responsibility of Friday prayer leaders

The clergies are of great significance. If the clergies in their own areas

carry out their spiritual and moral duties people will be reformed as they are

prepared to accept. Islam has provided program for everything. You can also

1 ―If a clergy gets corrupted so will the people.‖ This is taken from a narrated hadith in the

book, the second chapter, p.37.


409

put them to practice. But there was a time when you could not, because you

did not have the power. Today, you have the power to reform the people; you

also have the power to do, God forbid, the opposite. You do not have any

excuse. Neither you nor others and I have any excuse to say it is not possible

to do it or we cannot do it. Everyone has the ability to propagate everywhere

and make peace between one group and another group when they are in

conflict. Generally speaking, the congregational prayer leaders are popular

among people and they are ready to follow them. That of congregation prayer

leaders, because the former group has a sensitive issues, and as a result

people are ready to follow them. For this reason their responsibility is

heavier, and if there is a discrepancy between what they say and do it will be

communicated quickly. People understand and do not spread rumors. If

Friday prayer leaders all over the country call people to goodness and Islam,

these people who accept Friday prayer leaders will follow them. They will do

what they are told to do. Every time you call upon people to—lets say—help

with the economy or culture, they will do that. This is what you talked about.

Difficulty of cultural work in north of the country

I would like to say a few words about the situation of your own region.

Of course, we all know that while this region is rich for this country but they

did not let any development take place there. Well, it would be better for the

region to invite a number of preachers to reform it. They saw to it that they

sent the corrupted ones to this region and when the people saw that they were

corrupt, they worked less. Your region is a very tough one for you to do

some activities. No other region has been like this; because in the former

regime this region was corrupted by them; it was the center of corruption for

both Rida Khan and after him his son who was worse, and forother

individuals who used to come here for pleasure and as a result let the youths

astray. Therefore, your problem is tougher than others. For example, it is

much easier to reform the youths of Qum, but Rasht is a problem so are

Gilan and Mazandaran. They call for lots of efforts.

Reason for lack of clergies

You are not the only ones with lack of clergies; it is a problem all over

the country. The main point is that at the time of these two, father and son

everything was taken from the clergies. There was only one mosque run by—

say—a retired person who faced many limitations. Everywhere was limited.

You could not say a word about what you wanted to talk about. Everything

was taken from the clergies. That is why when the clergies in a society


410

cannot do anything and the corrupt ones come and have place for their own

amusement, a place to attract corruption and all these instances of fornication

and all these houses of fornication, all these are gone now and in your area it

was worse especially around this sea and these amusement places. Therefore,

you should make more efforts than others and the lack is felt here more than

anywhere else. Thats if a clergy can work in one place or in a village, in

your region two or three clergies are needed. The lack is everywhere and I

already talked about the reason which is that everything was taken from the

clergies.

When, if some of you may remember ―Dawar‖1

wanted to open up a

class to accept theology students, many corrupt people went and signed up

there. This was one way how they undermined theological seminaries in

Qum. They exercised pressure from one direction and from another they

opened doors and offered jobs to the clergies. Therefore, after the time of the

late Shaykh Muhammad2

(may Gods peace be upon him) who passed away,

there were four hundred religious students in Qum. They were not four

hundred who could do something but four hundred desperate ones who were

almost strangers in this country. God wanted to have their hands cut short.

Now they are in minority and the strangers. However, your hands are free,

though you have shortcomings. We know that you have shortage and it is

that back then you could not say anything. Back then you could not do

anything except discussing something or saying prayer. Today, you can do

lots of things. We need more individuals like you. We must set up

seminaries. The seminaries should open their doors. There must be one

seminary in every place there so that you can bring the villagers and educate

them and prepare clergies for the future. Notice that the problem of judgment

is a serious one because it affects the lives and property of people.

Today, we are short of judges because the clergies were denied judgment

and as a result could not train judges. The book on judgment had been

forgotten. Today, you have become free; it is up to you to educate and train

individuals for judgment.

1 Ali-Akbar Dawar, Minister of Justice at the time of Rida Khan. 2 Mr. Abdulkarim hairi Yazdi, the founder of the theological seminary of Qum.


411

Statements Date: January 12, 1982 [Dey 22, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 16, 1402 AH]


Subject: Unity as the epigraph of the call of prophets

Occasion: Unity Week

Addressee: A group of guests from Arab countries here for the Unity Week

[At first one of the Arab-speaking guests spoke and then Imam Khomeini

said:]


It is one of the blessings of Islam that we have come together. I hope that

we can appreciate this gift and serve mankind, the oppressed people,

especially Muslims. I beseech God that this Unity Week which was

designated in Iran will go on for years and centuries. I hope that we will be

under the banner of unity that was the epigraph of the call of prophets. I hope

that we will overcome all our problems.

All the gentlemen know that the problems of Muslims stem from dispute

among themselves which causes different groups oppose one another. Islam

is against difference and calls for unity of expression. Islam signifies

submission to Truth.

I implore God to bless this happy feast for all Muslims. It will be blessed

when all Muslims get serious about performing their duties, when all heads

of states, spiritual leaders and intellectuals try to realize the aspirations of

Islam, and steps are taken to serve Islam until what God has wanted from the

clergies is realized.

I congratulate all Muslims, especially you the clergies, on the occasion of

this blessed day. God willing, the day when we gather together around Aqsa

Mosque and pray there will be a blessed one.

[One of the Arab-speaking guests spoke and then the Imam said:]

God willing, you are successful. We are for Islam; whatever we have is

from Islam. We are all brothers and should treat each other amicably. We

should all be mujahidin (holy fighters) for Islam. Everyone within his

capacity should make an effort till all the problems of Muslims are resolved


412

in all countries including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and all other

countries with the effort of the clergies and thinkers.



413

Speech



Subject: Furthering movement of the prophets through guiding and saving man for

darkness

Audience: Sayyid Ali Khamenei (President); Akbar Hashemi Rafasnjani (Majlis

Speaker); Mir Husayn Musawi (Prime Minister); the cabinet


Starting point of all reform is education of man

Reciprocally, I congratulate all the clergies, Iranian nation, the

government of Iran and all Muslims of the world on the happy feast of the

birth anniversary of two great Islamic figures. This is a blessed day and it

will a blessed day when we can build ourselves by ourselves and then build

this country. Every reform has man as its starting point. Because if man

himself is not educated, he cannot educate and train others. You saw that

during long years of monarchy, and especially during the time of the last two

monarchs which most of you experienced all and some of you parts, since

people who were at the helm did not have Islamic upbringing and were not

refined themselves, they pushed back our country and nation so hard that it

may take years for thing to be reformed. For this reason, we should all start

with ourselves and we should not be content with appearance; we should

start from our hearts and minds; everyday we must go after this so that the

next day we are better than the day before. I hope that this struggle with

ourselves will happen to all of us. We should then struggle to build the

country. We can celebrate this day when we experience a genuine life of

welfare for our oppressed people. We should train them in a correct Islamic

way.

Harmony of the nation is a blessing of Islam

You see this is a responsibility we have to shoulder. Reform of the

government, the administration and society and also reconstruction are the

responsibilities that we and you who are at the helm have to assume. If you

do not make great effort, and do not try to solve the problems in ministries or

various departments ruthlessly, and if there some who do not want to see

things done in line with Islam and humanity, we will move backwards. With

all your power you should purge the administrations, not purging every


414

perverted individual but purge in the sense of disciplining and purging those

who have not perceived the Islamic issues. Islam has brought everything for

us and we should make use of it. Today is the day we should make use of it.

It was Islam that enabled us to overcome big problems. None of us could do

this. It is Islam that has harmonized the nation as is being reflected in other

places.

We hope that, God willing, this light of Islam will shine in all Islamic

countries and all oppressed countries. God willing, all will be brought up in

line with the aspirations of Islam and the Messenger of Islam. The Messenger

of Islam felt sad when people were not trained so mush so that God had to

comfort him; he was in hardship when God addressed him saying that we did

not send the Quran for you to be in hardship.1

He felt pity sad for nations

just like a kind father would feel for his children. He felt so for the

unbelievers when he saw that they were running counter to the nature of

human being. He felt sorry for them. Every human being should be such as to

feel sorry for those who are not in line with Islam and humanity.

Prophets are manifestation of the divine mercy

From what I heard some great clergies say that I pray for the perverted

ones more. The reason for this is that they need it more. The hearts of human

beings particularly the committed ones are kind and generous with all

humanity. All the wars that the Messengers fought or were forced or

sometimes just happened right from the beginning were the work of the

divine mercy; because they were meant to discipline a given nation, those

who are not disciplined must be disciplined, and those who stand in the way

of refining other nations must be shoved aside. This is mercy which, in the

face of it, may seem to be massacre, but in reality its meant to get rid of

obstacles on the way of humanity. In Iran as you see that everywhere they are

saying we kill people, they think that we will kill people here, but actually

we have not killed a single human being, if Iran gets attacked by a savage

who attacks everything Islamic, nation and humanity, he must be refined if

they can or he must be kept in prison till he is refined and if it does not work

out then he must be down away with. This is what the prophets have done

right from the beginning of creation up to now; those who were incorrigible

were either drowned or eliminated.

At any rate, all the prophets from the dawn of creation till now have

always been manifestation of mercy from God. Therefore, being is a

1 Surah Taha 20:2.


415

manifestation of the mercy of the Exalted God. In the same way, Gods

guidance through the prophets is a mercy to all. The Messenger is a mercy to

the whole world and all the prophets were mercy. This is because man is

ignorant and does not know what is happening and what will happen to him

if he does not go through the path of humanity. For this reason, those who

know the way understand that corrupt actions and thoughts can brig troubles

and difficulties for man. Everything is from the person, nothing has been

prepared from advance to torment and torture us, we provide things

ourselves. Everything we do here has a copy in hell and another in heaven;

we will get it; this is what a misdeed is and what a good deed is. Therefore,

prophets and saints who knew the ways and the consequences of people felt

sad for humanity and sacrificed themselves to save the people.

Activities for saving humanity from darkness

One is self-sacrificing and another is engaged in activities to obtain ones

purpose by luring people into evildoing and by persuading the youths into

being killed so that later he will be able to rule. This is one way. Another

way is to sacrifice everything one has to refine humans. Prophets were like

that. Prophets did not spend a single day for themselves. Not a single day

were they wrapped up in themselves, they focused on saving those sick ones

who were destroying themselves and taking a way with bad consequences.

Though we are too small to say that prophets did this so we want to do it, we

too should engage in activities to save our own nation and other nations from

darkness and afflictions befallen them. We should be serious about training

whoever is against us and is unaware, especially those green youths, those

girls and those boys who were led astray by the cruel ones. Whoever talks

about them should talk about how to get them back on the right track and

train them. Those who are in prison should be trained. Prophets were after

refining and training. They came to build humanity; they did not have any

other work to do. They came to guide those who are going against the right

path and put them back on the straight path.

I hope this feast will be blessed for all Muslims and for all oppressed

people and for the honorable nation of Iran. Thank God, we have a good

nation and a good government. We have everything. Our parliament, our

government and our judiciary are all good; we want them to be better. You

too want it to be better. I hope that all of them with this harmony in place

now and the Gods gift that he has granted us and I do not think that since the

beginning up to now there has been a parliament like ours which is full of

rapport and fraternity. All the representations are together, discuss issues and


416

and find solutions to problems. I do not think there has ever been such a

thing which is a gift from God and I hope we appreciate this gift. To show

our gratitude for this gift, we should work for Islam and God. All our efforts

should be directed to saving this nation, especially the oppressed people as

they have suffered for a long time. God willing, we will uplift them to a level

of welfare in both worlds.



417

Speech



Subject: Holy status of the revolutionary guard

Audience: Muhsin Ridai (commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)

and the IRGC commanders in the south of country


I wish I were a revolutionary guard

You should thank God that these Islamic operations are being done by

you. Not everybody can do it successfully. Today, after meeting with some

revolutionary guards I wished I were a revolutionary guard. See what they do

and what I do. They go to war against the enemy of Islam while I am here

and I cannot do that. You should appreciate yourselves. God has bestowed on

you this preparedness so that you cab preserve the glorious Quran and the

dear Islam. The divine rule ha ordained you to be chosen to serve Islam, and

this is recorded before God. God and the angles will support you, so be firm

and steadfast. Every step you take for Islam is a divine step that God has

caused you to take. If you think, you will fear neither killing nor getting

killed. The main point is that your intention should be pure and, thank God,

is so. The strong spirit of these twenty-year old youth astonishes one. Our

intention today is to put this afflicted, Westernized monarchic country on the

track of Islam once again and nothing else.

One of the things I want to remind you of is to maintain order

completely. Bravery is different from recklessness; bravery in war is a

heroic, well-planned and calculated move while recklessness is to rush into

the enemy without calculation and order. Things should be done on the basis

of order and rule. When something is done for God and is well-ordered, there

will not be any fear, no matter who is killed or who kills. God willing, you

will be supported by (Gods soldier) and march ahead. Yesterday when I saw

that Iraqis buried a number of women, I said to myself that no matter how

much we shout to tell the world to look at what they do, it will be useless;

because we are oppressed and we do not want to be under the domination of

anyone, so we must bear the pressure. But since we work for God, there is no

fear. Let them propagate against us as much as they want and let them project

a wrong image of us as much as they can. Commander of the Faithful, Ali

(may Gods peace be upon him) said, ―If the whole world turns its back to


418

me will not fear anything.‖ So when something is done for God, there is no

fear. Whoever works more for God will be insulted more; just like you the

revolutionary guards who were insulted more than anyone else.

May God grant you success.


419

Message



Subject: Reply to a telegraph of congratulation on the occasion of the birth

anniversary of the noble Messenger (s)



Your Excellency Shadhli Bin Jadid, President of the Republic of Algeria,

Your message of congratulation on the occasion of the happy celebration

of the birth anniversary of the noble messenger (S) was received with

appreciation. Reciprocally, we extend our congratulations to you and to the

nation of Algeria on this great Islamic celebration. It is hoped that the

brilliant light of the great leader of Islam will enable all Muslims of the

world to save their countries from foreign domination, especially from the

criminal America, to obtain their complete independence and to expel traitors

to the Islamic nations and mercenaries such as Saddam.





420

Decree



Subject: Granting amnesty to prisoners of Kurdistan

Occasion: Birth anniversary of the Messenger (s)






revolutionary courts of Kurdistan whose official pardon or mitigation of

sentence has been approved by the judiciary pending your approval.



I agree with this.1


28 /10/ 1360 AHS




421

Speech


Place: Tehran, Husayniyyah Jamaran

Subject: Mission and function of Iranian embassies

Audience: Ali-Akbar Wilayati (Minister of Foreign Affairs) and new deputies and

charge daffairs


Great mission of the Iranian embassies

Since the time the Islamic Republic government has formed, and with a

very foreign minister appointed. I have always put much emphasis on our

ambassadors and embassies. They have to be reformed, and as they represent

the Islamic Republic abroad. They should be in compatible with the Islamic

Republic. If it happens that, lets suppose, an embassy of the Islamic

Republic abroad is not compatible with the Islamic Republic in terms of its

individuals, administration, the condition of the embassy and its activities, it

is better to close it than let it stay open. When the representative of the

Islamic Republic acts in ways not in line with Islamic standards, it will be

more useless than useful. These embassies abroad should be related to a

committed government and should represent that regime which is Islamic in

itself.

Of course, you know what the embassies were like in the former

government, that is at the time of Pahalavi, especially Muhammad Rida

Khan. If embassies remain in the same situation as they used to be, they will

be detrimental to the Islamic country. They will give an excuse to those who

are now directing all their pens against us. Their pens and tongues concuct

baseless stories says lots of tings against us, and if, God forbid, there is

something wrong with us, nobody knows what will happen. For this reason,

this is an Islamic duty for you, the nation and us to preserve the image of

Islam and our country abroad. This is a very important thing that I

recommend at the early stage of your mission. This point should not be

neglected. If there are any improper acts whether inside or outside, it should

hopefully be stopped.

Need to reform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies

All of you who go abroad, the staff of embassies and even the cooks

should be committed to Islam. If it is not possible to purge all of them at


422

once, it should be done gradually. I implore God to grant you success in

doing this big service to present the image of the Islamic as described by

Almighty God, as it is and as it will be in the future. You should represent

this Islamic image there. You represent the Islamic Republic.

You should also know that the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs is heavy because we deal with the outside, and inside it is possible

that a thing might happen which is not supposed to, but it does less harm than

what happens outside. If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not reformed, we

can almost say that the Islamic Republic will fall apart. In this respect, the

Foreign Ministry must do whatever it can to further the progress and

development of Islam. Also those who go abroad, wherever they are, must

reform the embassies as much as they can. Ambassadors who are abroad

must be committed and suppose that if someone who is not an ambassador,

goes to where there is already an ambassador, he should take notice of what

that ambassador does, what the situation is like and submit a report to the

Foreign Ministry. At any rate, it is a heavy job but it must be done. You must

take into account all the propaganda directed against the Islamic Republic

and to take account of the fact that they are busy making up lies and things

against you. You must propagate Islam over there and the Islamic Republic.

Wherever you are, you must have a bulletin to explain everything. You

should write and talk about the lies which the radios say. Suppose that if

there is a need to speak to the people somewhere, do it. Or in your bulletins

you can look into those lies and reply to them. I hope that you will be

successful; God willing, all aspects of the Islamic Republic will be reformed

and corrected. God willing, all the ministries and administrations of the

Islamic Republic will be consistent with what God has commanded.

May God preserve you. God willing, you will be successful and

victorious.


423

Speech

Date/Time: Morning, January 20, 1982 [Dey 30, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 24,

1402 AH]

Place: Husaynyyeh Jamaran, Tehran

Subject: Self-refinement and its significance; explaining the problems of the

revolution

Audience: Friday prayer leaders of Isfahan and Chahar Mahal Bakhtiyari1 provinces


Unrefined individuals are most harmful to Islam

At first, I should thank the clergies, especially those who are

convalescing, for coming from faraway places here in the cold weather. I

hope that this blessing, especially the bond among the clergies provided

thanks to the revolution will last forever. I would like to remind the clergies

of a point they already know. We should know what has been the biggest

blow dealt to Islam and from which group. And we should know the issue

Islam has given utmost importance to, so that we can direct all our efforts in

that direction. We should also make effort to put an end to what harms Islam.

I think that the thing that has hurt Islam more than anything else is faulty

education and training in Islamic morality. If you look at history even that of

the prophets you will obviously find that Islam has been hurt most by

unrefined and perverted individuals. The same is true about all other

religions. The main blight on the monotheistic schools which had hampered

their growth and development was unrefined people. Sometimes these people

were learned but unrefined ones, but most of the time they were ignorant and

1 Aqayan: Sayyid Jalaluddin Tahiri (Friday leader of Isfahan); Abbas Yazdi (Friday prayer

leader of Najaf-abad); Abbas Ali Ruhani (Substantial Friday prayer leader of Isfahan);

Muhammad Baqir Shariati (Friday prayer leader of Kurdistan); Sayyid Taqi Hashemi (Friday

prayer leader of Ghahdari Jan); Sayyid Ali Musawi (Friday prayer leader of Durche); Sayyid

Mohamud Husayn(Friday prayer leader of Shahin Shahr); Abdulrasul Panahandeh (Friday

prayer leader of Gozbar Khar); Khalilullah Malikiyan (Friday prayer leader of Shahreda);

Sayyid Ahmad Musawi Nasab (Friday prayer leader of Nodash); Sayyid HusaynWaizi (Friday

prayer leader in Boin); Mirza Husayn Ilmi (Friday prayer leader of Borujen), Sayyid

AminGod Moin Aldin (Friday prayer leader of Daran); Murtada Baqiriyan (Friday prayer

leader of Semirom); Safar Ali Shariati (Friday prayer leader of Falaverjan; Sayyid Hasan

Mirzai (Friday prayer leader of zarin city); Mahdi Ghazanfari (Friday prayer leader of

Khunsar); Sayyid Abu Talib Mahmudi (Friday prayer leader of Golpaygan); Sayyid

Muhammad Matllibi (Friday prayer leader of Asfadi Jan)


424

unrefined. Perhaps the damage Islam has sustained from unrefined scholars is

much greater than the harm done by the ignorant unrefined people, though

the later outnumber the former group. All perverted schools of thought were

created by scholars and learned people. These people created new, perverted

religious and political schools. All deviations were initiated by this group of

people. The harm done to monotheistic schools by this learned people which

were versed in many sciences can not be compared with damage incurred by

any other group.

Quran is a human-building book

The Quran which is an exhilarating divine book, has not paid as much

attention as other issues, as it ha paid to man refinement. Basically, it can be

said that Quran has been revealed for this purpose; because people need this

more than anything else. As far as mans development is concerned, Quran

is the Book that has a way for all the stages of human development. All the

stories depicted in the Quran are meant to guide and refine the people. This

is stressed as very significant issue. The Quran is not just a book about rules;

it does mention rules in their totality. The Quran is a book that calls for

reform of society. After the society has been reformed, the society will be

thought to act upon tradition of the prophet and the narrations about the

honorable messengers through the righteous Imams. For this reason we

should consider the fact that we should also refine ourselves; because it is the

most important thing in Islam. Knowledge without self-refinement is worse

than ignorance. We should refine ourselves and turn to the Exalted God. We

should call upon the society to this path. Thank God, today, almost

everything related to refinement and morality can be called for and there is

no impediment to this purpose. In the past, if you wanted to spread some

divine rules or to mention some corrupt morals, you could not do that even in

a very small group, because those who opposed you were so corrupt that

when you mentioned any bad quality, they would dissociate with you.

However, thank God, today the doors have opened up to reform the people

and call them to righteousness. Therefore, the one overriding thing for us is

to refine the self and thereby refine the people. If one is not refined, one

cannot refine others; ones words will not have any influence. When the

clergies, especially congregational and Friday prayer leaders who deal with

the majority of the masses, refined themselves, they could reach high level of

refinement and call upon people to follow suit. In Islam everything including

political issues are related to refinement so as to set the people right. We

should not devote everything to political issues. Everything should follow


425

Islamic issues and particularly this aspect of refining the people. If you

notice, the Quran lays much more stress on this aspect than anything else

and there are many verses that touch upon this issue ―He who purifies himself

from sin is saved indeed and he who contaminates himself by sin and unbelief

will be a loser‖1

. This shows us that self-refinement is the underlying basis

for everything and the basis for every perverse thing is lack of self-

refinement and ―Dasso‖ is in the psyche of human being ―Dasso‖ is the devil;

therefore, we must give self-refinement the top priority.

Fear of superpowers from Islamic Revolution

Of course, we have lots of problems; that is, no other revolution has been

attacked as much as the Islamic Revolution, because other revolutions were

either rightist or leftist. If it were rightist, it would be supported by the

rightists and the leftists would oppose it and the reverse was equally true.

However, the Islamic revolution has been Islamic from the start. This

revolution was not launched by a pro-western person who would later call on

people to revolt or stage a coup. I was not a question of coup détat; it was a

question of people rising up against oppression, because they had had

enough. This is uprising of a nation against all the powers, and this nation

has embraced itself for the attacks of all powers. We do not expect the

superpowers to come to terms with us. They all see that if this revolution in

Iran comes to fruition in a way that Islam wants, it will be inevitability

exported to the outside world. There will not be any need for anyone to do

anything; of course, it is a duty to call for it everywhere. Now all people have

take notice of our revolution. The powerful one have sensed it with fear, and

the oppressed ones look at it as a way to save tem. If this evolution achieve

its sublime goal, if Islam rules in here and nothing else is dominant, it will

frighten al the superpowers and their associates and be a hope for all the

oppressed people which has been the objective of the all the prophets since

the beginning of the world till now.

Uprooting the arrogant powers, goal of prophets

All prophets came to fight the bullies. Of course, those who do not want

to accept the prophets and condemn their associates say that religion fool

people and the superpowers plunder them. But whoever looks at the story of

prophets since the beginning of the world till now, one will see that those

who gathered around the prophets were the oppressed people and those who

1 Surah ash-Shams 94:9-10


426

were against the prophets were the bullies. We do not know any prophet who

was on the side of a bully and against the people. We do not know of any

guardian of the prophets who was against his own nation. The story of the

prophets from the first one to the Seal of Prophets has been about standing

against the oppressive powers—each one in his own environment. They

started from there. Prophet Moses was in an environment and he started from

there. But the aim was to uproot the oppressive powers from the world and to

save the people from their tyranny. Bearing this point in mind, you are

targeted by two groups: first, the superpowers and profiteers and their

associates with them. They do not expect to have peace with you; they do not

want peace either. They all have the program of Pharaoh in mind; they do not

have any intention of compromise. The second group is the oppressed people

of the society that constitutes the deprived majority and they are on your

side.

It would be fine if you could achieve this program outside. All the

oppressed people of the world will gather around you. The present

circumstances are not like those in time of prophets, who took a great deal of

trouble moving from one city to another. Well, there was not any means of

transportation. In Mecca the noble prophet had to stay 13 years before he

could get his mission through to Hijaz. To get it through to other places, be

faced enormous hindrances. It took a messenger several months to get there.

Things like this, were very and many. Now, whatever you say can get spread

all over the world in a few hours. Radios broadcast it in minutes. Therefore,

our duty is heavier now. The importance of propaganda has increased. Your

propaganda here and refining the people is not just about refining them in the

mosque, no you refine the people in way that can be reflected and radios

broadcast so that it gets to the outside world.

Carter and Begins concern for Islam

Consequently, today we are up against all our adversaries. We are

oppressed too. Propaganda apparatus almost everywhere is either keeping

silent or targeting Islam and the Islamic Republic. Those who are a little

sensible say that they are not Islamic. For example, Carters heart or that of

Begin1

goes out for Islam, because we are not Islamic; they are sad because

Islam has been realized in Iran. Those who are Iranians and had joined the

war against Islam during their regime are sad for Islam because this is not an

Islamic country. Those who gone abroad claim that since this revolution was

1 Jimmy Carter (President of America) and Manakhim Begin (Prime Minister of the Zionist

regime).


427

not Islamic they decided turn their back to it and all those ignorant people

supporting it. Therefore, today you are up against all the propaganda of the

opponent; there are but a few radios which do not attack Iran, the revolution

in Iran and the government of Iran but a few. Almost all of them say that the

nation is against the as if a few clergies came to power without the nation and

the army being at work and took over power without them. Everyone knows

this nation not that we know but also these foreign radios and reports reflect

it better than we do. They know is going on, what the nation does and whom

it supports.

They know all this but they want to create an image for the outside

world. This is what propaganda is all about. They are all after the death of the

Islamic Revolution lest it should be realized in Iran in the right way and lest

their hands would be curbed till the end, being spread to other places in the

region from Iran. They fear lest the revolution would be exported and thus

curtailing the grip of superpowers from the world.

For this reason they are against you. But what warms up your and our

hearts is the support of God. We do not have power, did not enjoy it and do

not want to have it. Whatever we have is from Him and whatever power we

have is from Him. Anyhow, if nations and governments are on the side of

God, He will support them. If they are not on His side, God will let go of

them to lead their own life. Therefore, we must do something so that we will

not give any excuse to these superpowers to use against us along with their

propaganda. For example, if, God forbid, a Friday prayer leader somewhere

makes a small mistake and then the hypocrites and their like get wind of it,

they will spread it everywhere. We did not do these things; we will never do

such things as killing kids and the immature people. However, they keep

insisting that the Islamic Republic is committing such crimes regarding boys

and girls in Iran and that trial and without investigation. They spread the

rumor that we just go out on the street and start killing and things like that.

They know that none of these things have happened, but they spread such

things about us. If, God forbid, we make a mistake, it will be blown up by

their propaganda trumpets.

Islamic Revolution of Iran has various features that other places do not.

First of all, it is Islamic and not motivated by anything else except Islam.

Wherever you go in the country, people shout that they want Islamic

Republic and Islam. This is the way it is. One feature is the harmony among

them. The entire nation is in harmony. Well, there are few dissidents just like

anywhere else but the bulk of the masses are for Islam. This is also a feature

of the revolution.


428

Popular officials over the country

Another aspect is the change happened everywhere. You can see this

change. Perhaps some clergies remember the Qajar era. Though the last

dynasty was weak, the government had a king controlling everywhere. The

king had the authority of a monarch; he did whatever he wanted to do and

even leased many places. Suppose that a governor wanted to go somewhere,

which would become his fief. He would pay an amount of money to but the

fief from a minister and then would go and do whatever he wished. He even

persecuted people to force people give him the original money plus

something extra. And nobody was there to here the afflictions of people.

Now, you can see that from the prime minister and the president down to

other officials all belong to people and are part of them. The president was

just a religious student and later became a clergy. Even after he became a

president, he has neither the pomb nor the mentalities of the previous

officials, this is true of other officials. These ministers are sometimes

mistaken with the people who come here and you cannot tell who is a

minister and who is a revolutionary guard. I have seen low-ranking officials

and how they used to appear in the street. When they came out, people would

line up to pay homage to them. The king and his entourage walked on carpet.

It was how officials of a small place behaved, but when our prime minister

comes out, he looks like ordinary people. This is one thing which has been

realized in Iran. Other places are not like that where everything is ruled by

the people and all are together, therefore the people back the government and

the army and these two back the people. This is one of the secrets of the great

victory.

Shortage and overcharge consequences of war and revolution

As it is not fair to say that there should be no mistake or problem. We all

know that things are expensive, but everybody is making effort to remove

this problem. A revolution has occurred which is a blessing in itself. It is one

of the greatest gifts we have received. Perhaps, you remember that in World

War II in which we were not involved, there was not enough bread in Iran. I

recall that I used to go home and return back to the bakeries but none of them

would be open in Qum. The bread baked in Tehran looked just like your

black turban and people ate it back then. Today, thank God, we are not

worried about our sustenance. People are not today worried about bread any

more. Of course, things are expensive, but it is not possible to think that the

revolution has no consequences. Inevitably, there are problems, and

insurgencies following every revolution. In the past whenever a king died,


429

there would be chaos in the country; all the thieves would suddenly pop up;

everything would get so messy that it took great efforts to restore relative

peace. Thank God, today these things happen infrequently. Those who

remember the World War II in which we were not involved and we only

were on their way. The moment the allied forces captured part of our

territory, everything became scarce. Nothing could be found. However, now

thank God, things can be found everywhere. Sometimes, something might be

hard to come by, but in such circumstances people should not get desperate.

Well, people have seen or heard of these problems in other places. So what

are they complaining about? Thank God, there is abundance; that is, there is

no starvation; people can find bread. Sometimes there is shortage, but there is

less shortage in the general provisions. At this revolutionary stage some

clergies expect everything to be right overnight. No one should have

anything to do with us. Well, we who are up against all the powers of the

world and all are putting pressure on us and oppress us from all directions,

yet the government and nation of Iran has stood its ground and has been at

war for one year and a half. When war breaks out in one place, disorder

prevails everywhere. There is war here, yet everywhere is calm. Thank God,

war is in progress in battlefields. People should not have misplaced

expectation. The clergies should advise the people that they should not

expect all problems to be overcome all at once. Go and take a look at the

Islamic Republic since the beginning till now and compare it to the

government of the prophet (s) and that of the Commander of the Faithful

(may Gods peace be upon him) and even to the subsequent ones. At the time

of the Commander of the Faithful not everybody was satisfied everywhere.

Actually, lots of them committed offences. There were individuals who

caused troubles, and the Commander of the Faithful would take measures

and would write a letter to them. There was peace everywhere at the time

except during the time of Hadrat Amir; of course it was very ruined from

inside.

At any rate, I think that if we grumble about these small problems that

are integral to a revolution and should be eliminated bigger ones might be

fall upon us. There will come a time when providence would, God forbid,

take away its care for us. Thank God, may big problems have been

overcome; a lot has been done for people. We should be grateful to God for

his blessings. You do not see a bar anywhere in the country. So what is

supposed to happen? You do not see a single house of the type existing in the

former regime. You all have heard that in Hamadan there used to be more

bars than bakeries, and bookshops; Tehran was even worse than the former.


430

Now, you go wherever in Iran, you will not see such indecent acts. These

offenses were harmful to Islam and that was their and they were not ashamed

to call it human, what did they want to do, praise be to God they were

disposed of and now the country is half Islamic.

Islamization of the country is the wish of all

Of course, there are problems simply because it is not possible to

overcome all of them overnight. You should guide the people. God willing,

officials are in agreement with you. You should also be in agreement with

the officials in terms of building the country. The people should be aware of

the fact that the government works to reconstruct the country. According to

reports of reconstruction efforts accomplished so far, what has been done in

these two years despite all the problems has not been achieved in fifty years.

When statistics is given, well statistics is given, when they give statistics

about school buildings, the schools built during this time are more than their

entire era and maybe this period is half of their entire period. So, a lot has

been done and we should not put our finger on what has been done. So, show

a little appreciation for what has already been done. Enlighten the people a

little that in the revolution there are plenty of gifts, though costly. It is true

that inflation is awful but having this gift among the people is the biggest gift

from God, which is lacking in other revolutions. At the moment at some

places where revolution has happened, people are complaining about lack of

provisions. Therefore, we should not expect that everything will be alright

and that everyone working in the government is refined. There is no such a

thing. We do not have individuals who go everywhere to call upon the

people. The theological seminaries are not equipped to perform these tasks,

because everything was out of their hands; they could not even propagate;

that is why they could not carry out these tasks. Now, we are short of clergies

and money as well; we should gradually put these things right. Do not lose

hope. God willing, God is on our side and we are on His. We want to

Islamize this country in every sense. You all wish for this country to be

Islamic and for the Islamic rules to be implemented. Because of such a wish,

God will support you. May God support you and grant you success. Guide

the people. Deal with problems in such a way that people should not think we

have problems that cannot be resolved. There are problems and we are

dealing with them; they are solvable God willing. They will be resolved.



431

Speech

Date/Time: Before noon, January 24, 1982 [Bahman 4, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal

28, 1402 AH]


Subject: Problem of Iran, Muslims and the Islamic countries

Audience: Teachers, members of the board of director and students of Qum

Judiciary and educational sciences college, officials of Reconstruction Jihad

headquarters, Commanders of the revolutionary guards, officials of the Red Cross,

women from Qum, theology students and the people from Kashan and Andimeshk


Eliminating obstacles of the revolution, in the hand of the nation

I should thank the clergies for taking the trouble to come in this cold

weather to honor us, with their presence. I should also thank women and girls

from Qum, the revolutionary guards, Reconstruction Jihad, the theology

students from Kashan and others. May God grant success to all of you to stay

faithful to Islam and its aspiration till your last breath, and not to fear any

plot or threat.

We have different kinds of problems. Some of them are domestic as you

all know such as the war, the corruptions caused by perverted groups and the

shortages. All these seem to push us backward. Now that you gentlemen, the

entire nation and we are together and united, we can solve the domestic

problems. Today, we do not have a problem that is not solvable. Of course,

we lack judges and preachers, a problem that the clergies in Qum theological

seminaries can tackle through effort and hard work.

Today, there is a dire need for judges; we need many thousand judges;

Iran needs them and this need should be filled through the effort of the

ulama and instructors of the Qum Theological Seminary—may God assist

them—even in the long run, though not very long. Similarly, there is a dire

need for preachers; therefore, they should be trained. We are short of

preachers everywhere: in cities, villages, war zones and factories. Time and

again, people come over here and complain that they do not have preachers.

Theological seminaries must make efforts to meet this need; God willing, it

will be fulfilled since it is not a big thing. At first, the war looked like

something horrifying and very grace, but it became clear that its benefits

outweigh its losses. In the wake of the war, a kind of harmony sprang into all

strata of the nation and a spiritual sense came forth in the dear soldiers, the


432

army, the revolutionary guards and the gendarmerie. This spirit of

cooperation in the entire nation from women, men to the whole country made

it clear to the world that what is happening in Iran is different from

elsewhere. This is because the revolution originated in the nation and it was

the nation that made it bear fruit; it is the nation that will push aside

everything that stands on the way of this revolution and, God willing, it will

be resolved very soon.

Solution to economic problems, in the hands of the nation

As regards the question of inflation, it has been repeatedly said that those

who monopolize and sell at high prices should be fair to people who relieved

them of suppression and who put an end to the question of insecurity with

their blood and through their struggles. It is not fair to deal wit this nation in

such a way. You know that it is the oppressed people that bear the brunt of

inflation and monopoly, it is a problem for them and not for the upper crust,

because they have resources and money and can afford any price. The

oppressed people bear this brunt and the burden of the revolution on their

respected and strong shoulders. I hope this problem would be overcome with

the fairness of sellers and the rich and with the attention of those in charge.

These domestic problems should be resolved even if it takes a long time.

Thank God, the Reconstruction Jihad as reported by the gentleman,

makes one happy. I hope there will be more activities to reach out more to

the villages and the deprived people who have been oppressed throughout

history. I appreciate all the efforts and hope from now on Mr. Nuri who has

entered this group will resolve the problems whatever they might be under

his guidance and with effort of the other respected brothers. Parts of our

domestic problems must be solved by us; the entire nation should try to do

this. Those who can work should work and those who can farm should farm.

This economic problem will be resolved by the nation and we can thus attain

self-sufficiency.

Students, resources of the nation

The problem of the university has been and will be resolved. I have to

criticize some newspapers that change the course of a subject in their

headlines. We believe that the universities must be reopened. When they are

opened they should make effort towards Islamization. Clergies and other

wings should bring the universities in line with Islamic education. But we

sometimes see that the newspapers are saying unless the universities are

reformed they should not be reopened. Sometime they quote me as saying so.


433

I say that reforming universities take a long time, but we can not wait that

long to open the universities. Another point I would like to make to the

Cultural Revolution Council is that from what I have been told, they are very

fussy, no doubt the deviants who want to corrupt the atmosphere of

universities must not be let in. Those who made the universities a stronghold

and set up a war room and were creating all the corruptions should be

identified and pushed aside. However, some of them are girls and boys, who

committed small offences in the past and repented should be accepted in

universities, as the door to repentance is open and we should not disappoint

the youth. The clergies should not argue that since they did something

wrong, they should be expelled from the university. No, the door of

repentance is open. God has left the door of repentance open for all. Of

course, corruption in not sanctioned, but those who repented and those who

did something wrong such as girls or boys who are repentant should be

given. We should embrace them; God accepts their repentance. They have

made it to the university, so do not make them lose hope. The youth are the

resources of this country. If they were engaged in corruption, they have now

repented. Therefore, the universities should be reopened with seriousness.

Eventually, it should be Islamized by including Islamic education.

Zionism, archenemy of Islam

We have a problem related to Muslims and the Islamic countries that

should deal with it. They and you all know that whatever has befallen

Muslims is caused by the superpowers. That which can resolve the problems

is the unity of expression. Muslim nations and governments should come

together to drive this germ of corruption and cancer from tumor, Zionism

Islamic countries. Zionism is the archenemy of Islam and is after attacking

and seizing your countries one after the other. Instead of sitting together to

counter it, you converge and talk in their favor. All the concern voiced by

some of these countries is that Iran wants to implement Islam. Iran shouted

from the start that Muslims should unify their rank to liberate Palestine and

Quds. Everyday, the opponents say something about Iran. For example, they

claim Iran has ties with Israel. What is your motivation? You whom Israel

insults and that disrespects Israel wants to take the Golan Heights by force

without caring for any power, are supposed to get united to get rid of such a

corrupted germ. If you do not get rid of it, cancerous tumor will spread to

other places. It will not stop at Golan; they see Israel as most superior race to

command lands from Euphrates to the Nile. However, you sit there and fight

about very unimportant things. You have focused all your efforts on Iran lest


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it should raise a word. Iran shouts that it does not have any intention to

transgress upon other governments and nations and calls for unity with them

to get rid of corruption in the region is subject to hostility. Why should it be

like that?

Leaders of the country, intellectuals and the scholars should be aware

who the enemy is and who the friend is. The enemy must be driven out and

the friend united with. These problems must be resolved by all Muslims. As

long as there is not unity among Muslims, these problems will persist. This is

a general problem for all Muslims.

Veto right, worse than the law of the jungle

Another problem is for the entire world, particularly the oppressed

people of the world. America and the Soviet Union are behind this and other

problems. If America did not back Israel, would Israel occupy Palestine?

Would Israel claim that Golan Heights belonged to it and registered it for

itself? If there were no America and this devil power was not there, would all

this corruption have happened in Islamic countries? All the bloodshed in the

Islamic countries is triggered off by America. America and whoever is on its

side are like that; the same is true about the Soviet Union. If the world wants

to get liberated from corruption, all the oppressed people should join hands

and limit their powers in their own countries. Israel comes and annexes the

Golan Heights to its other usurped territory. These organizations not made by

nations, but by a few big powers set them up, put up a show and make up an

image and what they do together, a majority group votes for that side and

America comes and vetoes it. This is worse than the law of the jungle. The

law of the jungle is the government of the bully, but they govern and do

worse than the jungle and they want to deceive the nations that we have

human rights organization, we have the United Nations. What America and

the Soviet Union do is worse than what happens in the jungle and later the

UN comes, does some maneuver and puts up a show, and if the majority

votes against they know that it will not have any influence. When they all

vote against and it does not have any effect because with one ―No‖ from

America, the question is settled, what they do is not an act of rescinding?

Who are they fooling? The point is that they set up these organizations. If it

were not made by them, on what ground would one country or a handful of

countries have the bullying right of veto? This too was made by them right

from the start to fool small nations and the oppressed people of the world.

There is nothing worse and more horrible than this crime in the world. Law

of the jungle is instinctive; they settle their wrongdoing based on this


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instinctive law. But those organizations and those who made them take away

all the dignity of humanity in the name of human rights, how can you be on

the side of human rights while all the crimes in the world are committed by

these two superpowers that do not raise a single word. When they raise any

voice at all, it is more like a joke than a serious objection. At which point

they talk about things related to Iran. They expect Iran to listen to what they

say. Iran got hold of the Islamic way and all these organizations are agents of

the superpowers.

Finally, if the oppressed people of the world want to live an honorable

life, they should all unite together and put limitations on the power of these

powerful countries enjoying the veto right.

May God save the world from the evil of the superpowers and save the

Islamic nations from their internal devil and bring more harmony for our

nation and grant success to scholars, teachers and intellectuals to perform as

well as they have done so far.



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Letter

Date:?


Subject: Condolences

Addressee:?


I would like to tell you that today, Wednesday, I heard from Mr.

Lavasani the sad news of the death of the respected sister (may Gods mercy

be upon her). I express my condolences to you and your family on this

tragedy. I beseech God to grant patience to you and forgiveness to your

respected sister. Mr. Lavasani said that you had a friendly complaint.

Whereas I am the one to complain because you did not inform me even by a

phone call. At any rate, I hope God will grant health and happiness to you.



Extend my special greetings to all your great friends.


437

Commemoration Letter

Date: January 26, 1982 [Bahman 6, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 30, 1402 AH]


Subject: Dedicating Martyr Mutahharis memorial

Addressee: Fatimeh Tabatabai


I dedicate my memorial and that of the thoughtful martyr Mut i to my

dear daughter-in-law Fa imeh (may God grant her success). I hope that she

would reap ever greater benefits from the valuable books of our martyr and

pray for the deceased.1


Bahman 6, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 30, 1402 AH

1 Memorial of Martyr Murtada Mutahhari “the First Book” had been prepared by Mr. Abdul-

karim Sorush and Imam Khomeini dedicated a copy of it, to Fatimah Tabatabai, wife of

Sayyid Ahmad Khomeini, by writing the above letter at the beginning.


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Permission Date: January 26, 1982 [Bahman 6, 1360 AHS / Rabi al-Awwal 30, 1402 AH]



Addressee: Muhammad Ruhani


Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds; may Gods peace and salutations be


enemies.

Hujjat al-Islam Shaykh Muhammad Ruhani—may his graces last—is

authorized on my behalf to take the charge of official affairs, to collect

religious funds, to spend half of sadats share for needy sadats in the region,

to spend the blessed share of Imam—peace be upon him—for his sustenance

in an economical manner, to spend one third of the surplus on propagating

Islam and to send two thirds to me to be spent on the sacred theology

seminaries (may God protect them).

―I advise him—may God assist him—to what the pious predecessors

have, to keep company of piety, to evade carnal desires and to be cautious.‖


brethren.



sahifeh-ye imam

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