Statements in Meeting with Hujjat al-Islam Abu Torabi after Release from Captivity

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

We truly thank God constantly. Yesterday, when they gave this very, very joyful news that you have arrived, it was truly a glad tiding for me. It has been a long time since we have seen you; approximately ten years. Since those years until now, your beard has turned white. We have always loved you and do not forget the memories with you; whether before the revolution in Mashhad, or later in Tehran, and then here in Ahvaz in that organization that the late martyr Chamran had established. He had come there with a group, and it seems like just yesterday that he was sitting outside the building at the foot of the stairs with a cloak among the youth, and then went to the Allahu Akbar mountains. At that time, I said in my heart that truly blessed is this young man; always on the path of jihad and martyrdom. When he left, it was not more than a few weeks before the news of his martyrdom came. It was said that Mr. Abu Torabi, with his group, was constantly advancing; then the enemy attacked and scattered all of them. Hearing this news, we were saddened. Thanks be to God, what you endured, its virtue is no less than martyrdom. We thank God that you passed a very good test.

In my opinion, someone like you, who has been granted so much divine success, truly must be very grateful to God. You were patient in all the difficult stages, kept God in mind, recognized your path well, and moved correctly.

I know that during this ten-year period of captivity, when you were the refuge for these youths and they turned to you, what you went through. Indeed, in prison, it is like this. Of course, the environment of captivity is very different from the environment of prison; it is generally worse than prison. The jailers are those for whom the death of a prisoner does not matter at all. Back then, when we were in prison, this jailer was tasked with not letting us die. Even if we wanted to die, he would not let us! This was their duty. But in the environment of captivity, it is not like this. If a minor incident occurs, they might shoot and kill.

At that time, in such an environment, these youths, at various intellectual and spiritual levels, constantly want a place to take refuge. Mr. Abu Torabi was the one to whom everyone took refuge. It is truly very hard internally for a person and very diminishing; because someone to whom everyone takes refuge, his heart also wants to take refuge somewhere. Of course, one who is pious and attentive to God takes refuge in God and finds God; but it is very difficult.

In these few days, I have thought a lot about him, and especially this point was raised for me that what he was really doing during this time. When one sees these youths, with what impatience they spent this time and turned to him, and he also dealt with them gently and pleasantly, responding to each according to their condition and placing everyone in their place and considering them, one realizes what such a responsible person has gone through. If we want to make an incomplete analogy, we must say that, without comparison, he acted like Lady Zainab (peace be upon her). During the period of captivity, that noble lady was truly like this; that is, she was a pillar to whom everyone took refuge; it was very difficult. Thanks be to God, you endured these hardships, and we thank God that the Almighty Lord favored you and you returned with a healthy body, mind, and spirit, so that, God willing, in the rest of your life—which we hope will be very blessed and long—you will serve Islam and your country.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings