Message to the Fourth Assembly of Commanders and Officials of the Offices of the Representation of the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

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

Your gathering, dear brothers, provides me with an opportunity to once again offer my sincere respect to the capable arms and generous hands, and the brave men who, in the great divine test, with sincere jihad in the path of God, and by sacrificing all valuable human resources, left an eternal legacy; they did not fear death and embraced the hardships of the battlefield, emerging triumphant from the trial. Some gave their lives on this peak of human glory and donned the noble garment of martyrdom, while others continue to stand in the valley of service, awaiting where the divine duty calls them and what the Islamic obligation demands of them. May God's blessings and those of His saints be upon these patient and righteous servants.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, under the revolutionary spirit and spirituality that continuously flowed from the luminous heart and purified soul of that Imam of the mystics and exemplar of the righteous, and which more than anyone else quenched the thirst of the young, sincere warriors of the Guard and Basij, was able to play a decisive role in repelling the attack of the agents of global arrogance against the Islamic Republic. Alongside the army and by employing the popular Basij, it delivered a bitter lesson to the enemies of Islam and ensured the preservation and continuation of the Islamic Republic system. This was proof to our nation, the armed forces, and all the country's officials of the role of reliance on God and trust in the revolutionary spirit and courage in action, removing the temptation to lean towards foreigners and seek help from the unworthy, and thanks be to God, the Islamic Republic, relying on its own elements nurtured in the lap of the revolution and by the divine power, has achieved great victories in various fields.

Now that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, after shining in the test of the imposed war, has passed another stage of perfection with the precise determination of duties and the organization of five forces in their specific responsibilities, and measures related to ranks, discipline, training, and equipment, and has emerged triumphant from another test, I find it necessary to remind all of you, the elite of the Guard, commanders, and officials of the representation offices, that: the distinction of the Guard lies in the combination of 'military valor' with 'spiritual sincerity,' and all successes have resulted from the harmony of these two. These two main elements, which are the attributes of the esteemed Mojahedin of early Islam and the founders of Islamic historical honors, must always be preserved in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and never should the inclination towards worthless material appearances and the spirit of comfort-seeking and pleasure-seeking create a breach in this lofty and steadfast pillar of the Islamic system.

Men of God, those who laid the foundation of the greatness of the Islamic nation and made the memory and effects of their blessed existence eternal, were greater than to be drawn by the insignificant material pleasures, distracting them from lofty goals.

My sincere reminder to you, dear ones - which I know you understand with all your aware hearts - is that as long as there is movement on the path of pure Muhammadan Islam (peace be upon him and his family), there is also an enemy lying in wait and a hand of enmity extended, and there is conspiracy, treachery, and corruption against the sacred Islamic system. And as long as these threats exist, the presence of the revolution's devotees and its sincere children and powerful arms is a vital necessity. With this insight and understanding, you must organize and command the Guard, making it disciplined, trained, insightful, and efficient.

In the Guard, any form of deviation must be confronted, and this revolutionary organization must be protected from all natural and periodic afflictions. In the Guard, military discipline must stem from faith and belief, and order, training, and adherence to ranks must be observed as a religious duty, while at the same time, the spirit of brotherhood and care for subordinates and valuing based on spiritual values must increasingly prevail. The elements of the Guard must, according to the duty defined for them, be raised with political understanding and discernment, while strictly avoiding any involvement in political factions - which is a deadly poison for any military organization. Commanders must be role models for others in all commendable behaviors and teach others military discipline, piety, and adherence to regulations in practice.

Negative rivalries among individuals and various sections and giving space to rumors and suspicions is a dangerous disease that must never infiltrate the young and strong body of the Guard and must not pollute the fragrant atmosphere created by divine goals and the motivation of jihad. Luxury and indulgence - from which, thanks be to God, the Guard is distant - must not infiltrate this pure-hearted group under any pretext, and temptations must not shake the resolve of you truth-seeking men. You and your self-sacrificing families deserve to be the model for all devoted and proud people, and you must maintain this worthiness.

Undoubtedly, worthless appearances and glitter will not be able to ensnare the proud necks of the men of God and replace genuine values with false and deceptive ones. My recommendation is that attention should be paid to the moral and educational status of all individuals and their self-sacrificing families, and effective artistic methods should be used in this regard. In the great assembly of the Guard, there are brilliant talents in various aspects that must be identified and nurtured, and these human treasures must be employed for the lofty goals of the revolution.

Cooperation and sincere relations with the Islamic Republic's army is the Guard's perpetual duty and the continuous recommendation of the late Imam (may his soul be sanctified), which must never be forgotten for a moment, and these two capable arms - each with a specific duty, alongside the other, responsible for defending the revolution and the country - must move in harmony. The enemy still tries to spread the rumor of merging the army and the Guard wherever and however it can, and in every situation, to strike at the morale of one of these two devoted military organizations. It is necessary for everyone, especially the commanders, to neutralize the adverse effects of this hostile malice.

The popular Basij is a great and blessed support that has proven its unparalleled value in various fields. This divine reserve must be viewed with respect and advanced day by day in organization, training, and discipline.

Undoubtedly, as long as these sincere efforts and this vigilance and efficiency exist in you, and as long as these important duties are given importance, the enemy will not gain any advantage in the military arena, and malicious and treacherous plans will be thwarted.

I pray to Almighty God for the elevation of the ranks of the great Imam (may God's mercy be upon him), the joy of the souls of the dear martyrs, healing and reward for the injured, freedom and health for the captives and missing, and complete success for the freed and all of you brothers.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings

Seyyed Ali Khamenei

September 16, 1991