Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution on the Anniversary of Eid al-Ghadir

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

I congratulate this blessed and joyous Eid to all the esteemed attendees, to the dear nation of Iran, to all the believers in the world, and to all the free people. I also extend my warm welcome to you dear brothers and sisters, especially to the honorable families of the martyrs and to friends who have come from afar.

This year marks the second Eid al-Ghadir. The first Eid al-Ghadir was in the early days of the year 79, and the second Ghadir is at the end of this year. Of course, Eid al-Ghadir is a very great Eid and a significant historical memory; however, there are lessons in the essence of Eid al-Ghadir that whenever the Islamic nation hears these lessons with their hearts, they will truly benefit from this day.

In the event of Ghadir, there are great lessons: Firstly, this event is among the certain events in the history of Islam. It is not the case that only the Shia have narrated the Hadith of Ghadir. Many scholars and narrators from the Sunni community have narrated this Hadith, and just as the Shia have expressed this incident, they have also expressed it. The understanding of the scholars and intellectuals—similar to the understanding of the attendees of that incident—was that the Prophet raised the hand of Amir al-Mu'minin and said: "Whoever I am his master, this Ali is his master." This was that the Prophet appointed Amir al-Mu'minin as his successor. We do not want to delve into the issue of Shia and Sunni and the differences and conflicts of beliefs—Islamic world has had enough of the Shia-Sunni disputes until today!—but the knowledge that exists in this profound statement of the Prophet must be understood correctly; the Prophet appointed Amir al-Mu'minin.

The Prophet was sent to teach and purify the people; "He teaches them the Book and wisdom and purifies them"; or elsewhere "He purifies them and teaches them the Book and wisdom." Humans must be both educated and purified so that this earthly sphere and this great human society can progress like a healthy family and benefit from the blessings of this world. The goal of all prophethood and missions is this. Each of the prophets was sent to carry out this great act of education and training to the extent that the circumstances of the time allowed; however, the final religion and the final prophet must eternalize this great divine movement; because no other prophet will be sent to bring humanity closer to that ultimate destination in this world—where living on this earthly sphere and in the human family must be accompanied by peace, tranquility, justice, and benefiting from the blessings of the world—and ultimately to reach it. How can humanity be brought closer to that ultimate destination? It is when this continuous education exists. There must be a continuous education and training from the position of governance and political power—especially the political power of someone like the Prophet; that is, an infallible—gradually advancing and educating this human society and reducing the anomalies among them so that humanity can reach that point which is the beginning of the prosperous life of all humans—which we consider to be the era of the Awaited Imam (may our souls be sacrificed for him). The era of the Awaited Imam (may our souls be sacrificed for him) is the beginning of human life; it is not the end of human life. From there, the true life of humans and the true happiness of this great human family will just begin, and the use of the blessings of this earthly sphere and the hidden potentials and energies in this space will be possible for humans—without harm, without loss, without destruction and waste. It is true that today humanity uses something, but it harms another thing. Today, it discovers atomic energy, but it uses atomic energy for the destruction of humanity; it extracts oil from the depths of the earth, but this oil is used for the waste and destruction of the human environment; as has been the case in the last hundred years. Humanity discovers driving forces and hidden energies and steam power and other forces, but it entangles humans in various physical troubles due to the problems that material life creates for humans. Humanity is given speed and ease; however, many things are taken away from it. On the other hand, there is the destruction of moral values that humanity suffers from today; however, in the era of the appearance of the Awaited Imam (may our souls be sacrificed for him), this will not be the case. Humanity will use the blessings of the world, the hidden energies, and the forces embedded in nature in a harmless and lossless manner; a use that is a source of growth and progress for humanity. All the prophets have come to bring us to that point where human life just begins. If the final prophet wants to bring humanity to this point according to the final religion, what must he do? He must ensure that this education he has provided for humanity is continuous and long-lasting and encompasses several generations in succession. The Prophet himself will pass away—"Indeed, you will die and they will die"—so he must appoint someone who will continue the same path and direction and methods after him, and that is Ali ibn Abi Talib. This is the meaning of the appointment of Ghadir.

If on that day the Islamic nation had understood the Prophet's appointment correctly and in its true meaning and had accepted it and followed Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), and this prophetic education had continued, and after Amir al-Mu'minin, infallible and error-free individuals would have placed successive generations of humanity under their divine education like the Prophet himself, humanity would have very quickly reached that point which it has not yet reached. Human knowledge and thought would have advanced; the spiritual levels of humans would have risen; peace and tranquility would have been established among humans, and oppression, injustice, insecurity, discrimination, and inequity would have vanished from among the people. This is why Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her)—who at that time was the most knowledgeable person about the status of the Prophet and Amir al-Mu'minin—said that if you had followed Ali, he would have guided you to such an ultimate destination and taken you along such a path. However, humanity makes many mistakes.

In history, great mistakes have always subjected the fate of humans to great problems. The story of humanity's journey during the prophethood of the final prophet (peace be upon him) is a very eventful story and a very important narrative carrying a very profound philosophy. In the year of Amir al-Mu'minin—which belongs to him this year and in the coming years—it is appropriate that this philosophy be examined. Today, humanity must carry out the same movement and effort. The more human societies align with justice and spirituality, and the more humans distance themselves from moral vices, selfishness, ill thoughts, ill intentions, lusts, and self-worship, the closer that future will be. Throughout history, humanity has found itself in wrong paths that have distanced it from its ultimate destination. Today, the Islamic Revolution is a new opportunity given to humanity. This Islamic awakening is a new opportunity. Such opportunities have arisen throughout history, but they are few; they have also occurred during the history of Islam, but even less. In a turbulent sea of various material waves and the destruction of moral and spiritual values, suddenly this stable and steadfast ship of salvation—the Islamic ship with the leadership of Islam and the guidance of the Quran—has appeared and invited humanity towards itself. This is not a small incident. A nation has clung to this ship of salvation, and other nations have seen how a nation can free itself from the burden of oppressive and corrupt governance and dependency and following the tyrants and arrogant powers of the world by following the ship of salvation of Islam.

Everyone should know, and especially the youth should pay more attention; today the echoes and signs and reflections of the revolutionary cry in the world have become very profound. Of course, we do not expect the propaganda of those who are frightened by the cry of Islam to reflect these global echoes. They reflect the opposite; however, the truth of the matter is that I say: the movement of the Iranian nation has been reflected deep into the hearts of people—also in all corners of the world; not just in the Islamic world. In many countries—and more so in Islamic countries—youth have become attached to the call of Islam. Before the Islamic Revolution and before the establishment of the Islamic government here, this attachment did not exist. This is the continuation of the path of Ghadir. This is the presentation of a clear line for humanity so that under the shade of this clear line, it can reach the conclusion that all the prophets have promised. All the prophets and reformers of the world have given this good news to humanity that one day it will be saved.

Today, we—both our officials and our people—are responsible regarding the issue of Ghadir. The officials of the country must strive to organize their actions, behaviors, movements, and planning in a way that aligns with the goals of Islam—which are the same goals of Ghadir. Even if the whole world, especially the Zionist companies and the powerful and wealthy people of the world, become upset and launch a propaganda assault, it does not matter. Today, the foundation of the revolution is solid, and these storms cannot shake this lofty structure. What are they afraid of? What are they considering? Some individuals in their planning, execution, decision-making, speaking, and positioning are constantly cautious that a certain radio from a corner of the world—which is affiliated with a certain espionage apparatus—might say something against this speech or against this person! Well; let them speak.

Today, the message of Islam is an attractive message. Our message is the message of justice; our message is the message of saving humanity and saving the youth. When we mention youth, we do not only look at the youth of our own society. Today, the younger generation in the world is drowning in misery and disorder. The pains, psychological and nervous pressures, and uncertainties of the future are putting the younger generations under pressure worldwide due to their distance from spirituality.

Officials, in the name of Islam, for Islam, with the message of Islam, must courageously, powerfully, and without regard for this or that, take positions, speak, and act. Our dear people, especially the youth, should know that by the blessing of Ghadir, this path that Islam and the Quran and the line of Ghadir have drawn is a clear path; it is a path that has been drawn with strong reasoning and philosophy and has produced very great and high-ranking followers. Today, fortunately, this path is prominent in the world, and we are no longer in isolation and solitude. Today, we are at the center and focus of the attention of the people of the world—especially Islamic countries. The path is a path of good ending and brightness; with the efforts of the officials and the hope and support of various segments of the people, we must step by step traverse and advance this path. This path, although not short-term, is the same path that will ultimately lead to the salvation of humanity. It is the same path that, God willing, will prepare the grounds for the appearance of the Awaited Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance).

I hope that the Almighty God bless this Eid for you dear ones who are present in this session, for the entire great nation of Iran, and for all the believers throughout the world, and may He include you all in His blessings and the pure prayers of the Awaited Imam (may our souls be sacrificed for him) and, God willing, may He consider you among the true waiters and those who reach the meeting with that great one.

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