Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in the Eid al-Fitr Sermons

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. Thanks be to God as much as anything that praises God, as He loves to be praised, as He deserves, and as befits His noble face and majestic glory. I praise Him, seek His help, forgiveness, and guidance, and I send blessings and peace upon His beloved and chosen one, the master of His creation, our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure, chosen, and infallible family, the guides and rightly guided, especially the remaining proof of God on earth.

I extend my congratulations on the blessed Eid al-Fitr to all Muslims around the world, the dear nation of Iran, and to you, the praying sisters and brothers. This day is a great day belonging to the Noble Prophet, the Seal of the Prophets, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, and to the entire Islamic Ummah throughout history. It is a day when Muslims, after passing the significant, constructive, and nurturing test of the blessed month of Ramadan, seemingly sit in the presence of the Lord of the worlds and present their Ramadan to their Lord. In the prayers of the night and day of Eid al-Fitr, this meaning is referred to: 'Accept from us the month of Ramadan.' They present the month of Ramadan for divine acceptance.

Another point on Eid al-Fitr is the serious decision to prepare throughout the year for the arrival of another Ramadan. If someone wishes to enter the divine banquet in each Ramadan and wishes to be part of the blessed nights of Laylat al-Qadr, they must prepare themselves in advance. This preparation is a year-long readiness that you must decide on today. Resolve that in the coming year, you will conduct your life in such a way that Ramadan will accept you, and the divine banquet will be sweet and blessed for you. This is the greatest grace a person can attain and a means for success in all matters related to this world and the hereafter, and related to the individual, their relatives, and the Islamic community.

Dear brothers and sisters! Let me briefly mention that in this realm of existence in the world, human beings are like those who are taken to a camp to pass a period. Consider a group of students, military personnel, or administrators who are taken to a camp to pass a period, elevate themselves to a higher level, and learn things. They are taken to a camp, programs are set for them, and the means of living in the camp are provided. After they have passed this period, understood what they need to understand, and acquired what they need to acquire, they are taken out of the camp to continue their work and life at a higher level.

This place is that great camp. Every day, thousands upon thousands of people enter this camp, and thousands upon thousands of people leave this camp to bring themselves closer to the main goal of creation and the real destination.

For us in this camp, programs have been set that allow us to elevate ourselves, build ourselves, and prepare for entry into the final and true destination of human creation, which is the meeting with God. Religions have determined these programs throughout life for people, which are of several kinds:

Some of these programs maintain the spiritual, emotional, and heartfelt relationship between humans and the Almighty God, such as prayer, remembrance, attention, supplication, and many other acts of worship.

Some programs correct human morals and traits and remove defects from the human soul, such as moral instructions that keep arrogance, envy, baseness, meanness, lying, and betrayal away from us and make a person noble, knowledgeable, generous, loving, and imbued with high human qualities.

Some programs regulate our individual and social relationships with other people in this world and the great camp. They have even taught us our relationship with objects and animals, and some teachings and programs regulate this relationship for us.

Some of these programs make the living environment habitable, such as government programs, forming a state, enjoining good and forbidding evil, enmity with oppressors, kindness and goodness to righteous and faithful people, helping to reform public affairs of the world and society, helping to eliminate poverty, and other programs related to the global level and living environment and societies. All these programs have been set for you and me in this great camp and during this life.

In addition to these, in this educational and training camp called the world, the means of human comfort have also been provided, and attention has been paid to his physical and sensual pleasures; pleasures that soothe his eyes, ears, sense of smell, soul, and mind and make him happy. If these pleasures are used correctly, life in this camp also becomes sweet; that is, we both grow and progress, bring ourselves closer to perfection, prepare for entry into the final destination of creation, and enjoy the permissible God-given pleasures of life in this world, as He said: 'Say, who has forbidden the adornment of God which He has brought forth for His servants and the good things of provision?'

In Ramadan and in great opportunities for worship, you actually prepare yourself to properly carry out this set of programs. Whoever performs these programs correctly, fulfills what is required of them, and corrects their life and behavior, does not fear leaving the camp because their hands are full.

During the arrival of Ramadan, after each prayer, it is recommended to recite a supplication in which it is said to the Lord: 'O God, reform every corrupt matter of the Muslims. O God, fill our poverty with Your wealth. O God, change our bad state with Your good state.' We have asked this from God. This is also in the hands of you and me.

We must be vigilant. We must prepare ourselves during the eleven months before Ramadan. If we enter Ramadan with the necessary preparation, we will benefit more from the divine banquet and will rise one degree, one level, and one class higher for the coming year. Then, both in your soul and heart and in the social living environment, you will see what pleases and satisfies you.

The essence of the educational program and all life programs in Islam is these matters. Everyone must be their own preacher, monitor themselves, prevent their own transgressions, enjoin good and forbid evil, which is enjoining oneself to good and forbidding oneself from evil and preaching to oneself, which precedes enjoining and forbidding others. This is the God-consciousness that has been asked of us. Let us maintain God-consciousness and recommend it to each other. I also recommend to you, brothers and sisters, not to forget God-consciousness. The greatest product of Ramadan is piety. Preserve what you have gained and increase it for the coming years and, God willing, until the end of your life.

Once again, I sincerely congratulate all brothers and sisters, especially the esteemed families of martyrs, the disabled veterans, the dear freed captives, and all the missing and self-sacrificing individuals and those who have taken steps and endured hardships in the path of God, on this noble Eid.

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

Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim Muhammad, and upon his pure, chosen, and infallible family, especially Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, the Pure Truthful Lady, the Mistress of the Women of the Worlds, Hasan and Husayn, the Masters of the Youth of Paradise, Ali ibn Husayn, Muhammad ibn Ali, Ja'far ibn Muhammad, Musa ibn Ja'far, Ali ibn Musa, Muhammad ibn Ali, Ali ibn Muhammad, Hasan ibn Ali, and the remaining, rightly guided, standing proof. Your proofs over Your servants and Your trustees in Your lands. And send blessings upon the leaders of the Muslims, the protectors of the oppressed, and the guides of the believers.

Regarding the issues that need to be addressed in the second sermon, I will focus on two main topics and briefly discuss each. First, about the situation of Muslims worldwide, and second, about the current and important issues of the country.

Regarding the Muslims of the world, what truly causes pain and regret is that Muslims today pay the least attention to what they need most, which is returning to Islam, relying on Islamic power, strengthening the bonds between Muslims, and Muslim unity. The reason is that today, the enemies of Islam have taken a harsher and even more explicit stance against this religion. In the past, there has been much enmity and hostility towards Islam, but today more than ever, this hostility is harsher, more explicit, and more confrontational.

At the head of these enemies is the ominous alliance of America and Zionism. America, as the head of the global arrogance, and Zionism, as the cause of political corruption and disruption in the relations of Muslims with each other and disruption in the growth process of Islamic nations and countries, are acting. These two are united. Unfortunately, the stance that many leaders of the Arab region have taken - and it was expected that they would adopt a correct stance against the usurpers of Palestine and in the face of this blatant and obvious and shameless aggression - is a stance that weakens Muslims day by day in the face of that ominous alliance and also weakens and leaves those governments without support. It would have been good if the heads of Islamic countries recognized the value of Islam, which gives them power, personality, independence, and the ability to stand against the oppressors, and knew it. Unfortunately, many Muslim leaders do not appreciate this great blessing.

Islam, by virtue of its faith, high and luminous teachings, knowledge, and progressive laws, can create a power in Islamic countries that no one can impose on those nations and countries. Why do they not use this great power?

One day, the usurping Zionists, with the support of the colonial power of that time - the British - came to the heart of Islamic countries and took a corner in the sensitive point of Palestine; then they claimed to form a state and expelled the homeowners. After that, they constantly attacked and invaded here and there and expanded their lands until they occupied all of Palestine and parts of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Today, their usurping occupation is not limited to Palestine. If they can, they will continue this aggression and expansionism. Today, the conditions of the world are not ready for them. They wait, and when they feel the conditions around them are ready and they can, they will continue the aggression.

They are not satisfied with what they have today. They believe that from one side to Medina and from the other side to the Euphrates belongs to them! They want a great country with sufficient water resources. They intend to have economic, political, military, and social dominance over all the surrounding countries and the entire Middle East region. They are not satisfied with what they have today.

Those who think that if they sit at the negotiating table with the usurping Zionists under the pressure of America, they will relieve themselves from confrontation with this aggressor and usurper, are mistaken. That usurping regime will not let them remain at ease. Even if it did, they have no right to, under the pressure of Israel, pass over the land belonging to Muslims and the Palestinian nation through negotiation and signing.

Today, after the usurping Zionists have freed themselves from the threat of attack by the armies of Arab countries - which threatened them until a few years ago - they are thinking of encroaching on the economic and political areas of other countries; again with the pressure of America! The Americans, with various levers at their disposal and with political weapons - like human rights - and economic weapons - like interference in global forums and international economic foundations - exert so much pressure on each of the surrounding countries of the Palestinian region and even distant countries that weak governments that do not have relations with Israel are forced to establish relations with this usurping regime, and those who have relations are forced to expand them! This pressure is to open the way for the usurping Israel to enter countries and engage in economic efforts and commercial and trade activities there and gain control over the wealth resources of countries. This is a great danger and threatens Muslims today.

Of course, it is obvious that the cancerous tumor that is spreading is the usurping Israel and Zionism; but the hand that helps it is the head of global arrogance - the American government. Muslim nations must not forget this point; just as our dear, brave, zealous, aware, and vigilant nation has proven with words, actions, and presence in political and other necessary arenas that it does not tolerate American pressure and returns it as a slap in the face to them.

You, the nation, have slapped America and the enemies of the revolution and those who want to erase the name of Palestine and the holy Quds from memories and minds. On the 22nd of Bahman and the Quds Day of this Ramadan, the people of Iran, with all their being, with all their enthusiasm, motivation, courage, zeal, and faith that the world knows in this nation, once again showed that they stand firm. Bravo to you, the nation of Iran. Bravo to this enthusiasm and faith. Bravo to this vigilance and awareness. Well done for this timely recognition. This year, you took Quds Day and perhaps the 22nd of Bahman more enthusiastically than in previous years. This shows the awareness of the Iranian nation. It is clear that the Iranian nation knows that this year its presence in the scene is more necessary due to the chaotic situation of Muslims and the increasing aggression of the enemies of Islam. You showed this presence; may God be pleased with you. May the sacred heart of the Imam of the Age be pleased and happy with you for understanding well, moving and acting well, and discerning well. Other nations should learn from our nation. Governments should also appreciate this great blessing - which is the blessing of Islam and Islamic nations.

The second point is about our own internal issues. By the grace of God, the country is moving forward. The government, officials, and the nation are striving, building the country; both in terms of economic construction and building the necessary foundations in this country and in terms of spiritual and cultural aspects. Of course, the enemy tries hard to infiltrate, penetrate, and attack and not allow construction to take place; but in return, work is being done, and by the grace of God, this work will continue. Both the officials, who are sincerely working with faith, interest, dedication, competence, and capability, and the masses and groups of people in various sectors must continue this effort, and they do.

The immediate and close issue for us is the elections, which I once again tell everyone: Elections and the Islamic Consultative Assembly are important. A strong, faithful, and revolutionary assembly that understands and recognizes these ideals and adheres to them is important, and the absence of such an assembly, or its weakness, or disruption in it, is a great loss and detriment for the nation. With your awareness, precision, and vigilance, you can form a good assembly.

See and understand who you are sending to the assembly. The one who goes to the assembly as the representative of this revolutionary, faithful, and brave nation must be revolutionary, faithful, and brave. If not the bravest, most faithful, and most revolutionary, at least be at the level of this great mass of people who show such brilliance.

The one who does not favor Islam, does not accept Islamic regulations, insults the revolution and revolutionary values for the sake of foreigners and the approval of others, or out of fear of others, inclines towards the enemy instead of the nation, and the one who does not have the necessary piety, is not spiritual, is worldly, and only wants this responsibility for fame and personal gain, is not worthy and deserving of this task.

Look for faithful, brave, and revolutionary people who can preserve the power of this nation - which is under the shadow of revolutionary values. Those who, when they legislate, take a stance, and make a speech, all are in this direction. Such a person is worthy to go to the Islamic Consultative Assembly as the representative of this nation; the one who understands what Imam said, what he wanted, and why he roared.

The future representative of the assembly must follow the path of the Imam and be in his line; that great man and human being whose enemies also acknowledged and admitted his greatness, honesty, and courage. The one who took weak and dependent Iran from the clutches of corrupt people and incompetent and dependent managers and handed it over to the people themselves. The one who was able to guide the movement of the people and unite and unite this nation and set it in motion towards that great goal.

Do not forget the line of the Imam, his values, and his testament. What these values teach you, seek them in a person, and when you find them; for the sake of God and purely for God's pleasure, put his name in the ballot box. This becomes the Islamic Consultative Assembly worthy of you and this nation. Follow the work in this way.

Thanks be to God, the Islamic Consultative Assembly has been good in these four terms. Of course, in this assembly, there have always been all kinds of people and all kinds of political thoughts and tastes. Even those who were part of religious minorities and were not Muslims; but alongside their Muslim compatriots, they worked hard and strived and served for the sovereignty and power of the Islamic Republic - which is the power of the Iranian nation and the greatness and glory of the country.

I know that in this term too, the grace, favor, and help of the Lord of the worlds will be upon you, and the assembly will be a good assembly, and the presence of the people - by the grace of God - will be a good presence. The enthusiasm, faith, motivation, enemy recognition, and timely recognition of this nation will not allow the enemy to succeed in its goals and objectives. The enemy wants the assembly to be weak, the elections to lack enthusiasm, and the voters to be few. The enemy desires that what is necessary for this nation is not done; but this nation will not allow it.

May God's mercy be upon the Imam, you people, and the sincere and faithful officials and those who put the right path before the people and those who follow and go on this path.

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

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings