Friday Prayer in Tehran Led by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, seek His help, believe in Him, and ask for His forgiveness. We send blessings and peace upon His beloved, His chosen one, the best of His creation, the guardian of His secrets, and the one who conveyed His messages, the herald of His mercy and the warning of His wrath, our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, especially the Awaited One of God among the inhabitants of the earth. I advise all brothers and sisters who are present for the prayer, and myself, to observe piety (taqwa), which is the greatest product and result of this blessed month. The blessed month of Ramadan, with all its blessings and all its spiritual beauties, has once again arrived. Before the beginning of this blessed month, the great Prophet of Islam prepared the people for entering this significant, lofty, and blessed arena: "The month of God has come to you with blessings and mercy." In the sermon of the last Friday of the month of Sha'ban, according to a narration, he informed and drew the people's attention that the month of Ramadan has arrived. If we want to define the month of Ramadan in one sentence, we must say it is the month of opportunities. There are numerous opportunities in this month before you and me. If we can properly utilize these opportunities, we will have a tremendous and very valuable reserve at our disposal. I will explain a little about this matter, and the first sermon will be about these issues related to Ramadan and these unparalleled opportunities. In the same sermon mentioned, the noble Messenger said, "This is a month in which you have been invited to the hospitality of God." This phrase is worthy of contemplation; an invitation to the hospitality of God. They did not compel everyone to take advantage of this hospitality; no, it has been made obligatory; however, it is up to us to utilize this hospitality or not. Some people do not even find the opportunity to pay attention to this invitation in this great hospitality. Their negligence, their immersion in material work and the material world is such that they do not understand the coming and going of the month of Ramadan. It is like someone being invited to a very magnificent and blessed banquet, and they do not even have the opportunity to look at the invitation card. These people will be left completely empty-handed. Some understand that this hospitality exists, but they do not attend this hospitality. Those whom God Almighty has not bestowed grace upon and has not granted success to, despite having no excuse, do not fast or are deprived of reciting the Quran or the supplications of Ramadan; these are those individuals. There are those who do not enter this hospitality; they do not come to this hospitality; the account of these people is clear. A large number of Muslim people - like us - enter this hospitality, but our benefit from this hospitality is not the same; some derive the greatest benefit from this opportunity. The discipline that exists in the hospitality of this month - which is the discipline of fasting and enduring hunger - may be the greatest achievement of this divine banquet. The blessings that fasting has for a person are so numerous in terms of spirituality and creating illumination in the heart that it may be said that the greatest blessing of this month is fasting itself. Some people fast; thus, they have entered the banquet and have also benefited from this banquet. However, in addition to fasting - which is the spiritual discipline of this blessed month - they also secure their education from the Quran at the highest level; reciting the Quran with contemplation. In the state of fasting or the state of illumination resulting from fasting, reciting the Quran at nights and midnights, being intimate with the Quran, addressing God, brings a different pleasure and meaning. What a person learns in such recitation of the Quran cannot be accessed in a normal and usual state; they also benefit from this. In addition to these, they also benefit from conversing with God Almighty and addressing God, expressing their hearts and inner secrets to God; that is, these supplications. This supplication of Abu Hamza al-Thumali, these supplications of the days, these supplications of the nights and dawns, these are talking to God, asking from God, bringing the heart closer to the sacred realm of divine dignity; they benefit from this as well. Therefore, in this hospitality, they benefit from all its achievements. Prior to these, perhaps for a reason higher than these, is the abandonment of sins; in this month, they do not commit sins. In the same narration of the sermon of the great Prophet, Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) asks the Prophet which action is more virtuous in this month. In response, he says: "Avoiding the prohibitions of God." Avoiding sins and the divine prohibitions takes precedence over affirmative and positive actions; it prevents the pollution and tarnishing of the soul and heart. These individuals also avoid sin. Thus, there is fasting, there is recitation, there is supplication and remembrance, and there is avoidance of sins. This collection brings a person closer to the moral and behavioral ideals that Islam seeks. When this collection of actions is accomplished, the heart of a person becomes free from grudges; the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness is revived in a person; helping the deprived and needy becomes easy for a person; forgiving others to the benefit of others and to the detriment of oneself in material matters becomes smooth for a person. Therefore, you see that in the month of Ramadan, crime and wrongdoing decrease, good deeds increase, and love among individuals in society becomes greater than at other times; these are all due to the blessings of this divine banquet. Some people fully benefit from the month of Ramadan, while others do not; they benefit from one thing and deprive themselves of another. The effort of a Muslim in this month should be to gain the maximum benefit from this divine banquet and to attain God's mercy and forgiveness, which I emphasize on seeking forgiveness; seeking forgiveness for sins, seeking forgiveness for mistakes, seeking forgiveness for slips; whether small sins or large sins. It is very important that in this month, we purify ourselves, our hearts from tarnishes; we cleanse ourselves from impurities, and this is possible through seeking forgiveness. Thus, there are numerous narrations that state that the best supplications or at the top of supplications is seeking forgiveness; asking for forgiveness from the Lord. There is seeking forgiveness for everyone. The noble Prophet also - that exalted human being - sought forgiveness. Now, the seeking forgiveness of people like us is from a type of sins; these are the common and usual sins and the animalistic tendencies within us, and these sins, as we say, are the obvious and clear sins. Some do not seek forgiveness from such sins; they seek forgiveness from neglecting the first duties. Some do not even neglect the first duties; however, they seek forgiveness, which is seeking forgiveness from the inherent and natural shortcomings of human beings in relation to the greatness of the sacred essence of the Lord; seeking forgiveness from the lack of complete knowledge, which belongs to the saints and the great ones. We must seek forgiveness for our sins. The great benefit of seeking forgiveness is that it takes us out of negligence regarding ourselves. Sometimes we make mistakes about ourselves. When we think of seeking forgiveness, the sins, mistakes, stubbornness, and following our desires that we have committed, the transgressions we have made, the injustices we have done to ourselves, the injustices we have done to others become vivid before our eyes and remind us of what we have done; then we do not fall into arrogance, pride, or negligence regarding ourselves. The first benefit of seeking forgiveness is this. Then, God Almighty has promised that whoever seeks forgiveness, that is, genuinely asks for forgiveness from God and truly regrets their sins, "they will find God to be the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful"; God Almighty is the one who accepts repentance. This seeking forgiveness is a return to the Lord; turning away from sins and mistakes, and God accepts it; if the seeking forgiveness is genuine. Be aware that just saying: "I seek forgiveness from God, I seek forgiveness from God, I seek forgiveness from God," while one's attention is elsewhere, has no benefit; this is not seeking forgiveness. Seeking forgiveness is a supplication, a request; a person must truly ask God and seek divine forgiveness and the Lord's pardon: I have committed this sin; O Lord! Have mercy on me, forgive me for this sin. Seeking forgiveness in this manner for each of the sins will undoubtedly lead to divine forgiveness; God Almighty has opened this door. Of course, in the sacred religion of Islam, confessing to sins before others is forbidden. The practice in some religions where they go to places of worship, sit before a priest, and confess their sins is not present in Islam and such a thing is forbidden. Exposing oneself and revealing one's inner secrets and sins before others is forbidden; it has no benefit. The notion that in those imaginary, distorted religions, the priest forgives sins is not true; in Islam, the only forgiver of sins is God. Even the Prophet cannot forgive sins. In the noble verse, it states: "And if they, when they wronged themselves, had come to you, and asked forgiveness of God, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found God Forgiving and Merciful"; when they commit a sin, they wrong themselves, if they come to you, who are the Prophet, and ask forgiveness from God Almighty and you also ask forgiveness for them, God accepts their repentance. This means the Prophet asks forgiveness for them; the Prophet himself cannot forgive sins; only God Almighty must forgive sins. This seeking forgiveness is truly of great importance. Do not be negligent about seeking forgiveness in this month; especially in the dawns, at nights. The supplications that exist in the month of Ramadan, read them with attention to their meanings. Thanks be to God, our society is a spiritual society. Prayer, attention, seeking intercession, and supplication to God are prevalent among our people, and the people love it; our youth, with their pure and luminous hearts, are inclined towards the remembrance of God; all of these are opportunities. The month of Ramadan is also a divine opportunity that has been granted to us; take advantage of this blessed month, of this great opportunity; bring your hearts closer to God, familiarize them; with seeking forgiveness, purify your hearts and souls; present your requests to God Almighty. The spiritual connection of our nation with God Almighty has accomplished great things, and the month of Ramadan is an extraordinary opportunity for this work; let this opportunity be utilized. God willing, may God Almighty assist all of us so that we can overcome the animalistic aspect of our existence with the angelic aspect during this month of Ramadan. We have an angelic and divine aspect, and we have a material and animalistic aspect. The desires of the soul dominate the material aspect over the angelic and divine aspect. God willing, in this month of Ramadan, we can overcome that spirituality, that illumination over the material aspect and keep it as a reserve, and use Ramadan as a training that will serve us throughout the year, God willing. In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful By the time. Indeed, mankind is in loss. Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds and advise one another to truth and advise one another to patience. Second Sermon In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, especially Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, and the Lady of the Women of the Worlds, and Hasan and Husayn, the masters of the youth of Paradise, and Ali ibn Husayn, and Muhammad ibn Ali, and Ja'far ibn Muhammad, and Musa ibn Ja'far, and Ali ibn Musa, and Muhammad ibn Ali, and Ali ibn Muhammad, and Hasan ibn Ali, and the Awaited Mahdi, the proofs of Your authority over Your servants and Your trusted ones in Your lands, and send blessings upon the leaders of the Muslims and the protectors of the oppressed and the guides of the believers, and seek forgiveness from God for me and for you. In this sermon, the first matter I present is the kind remembrance of the late Ayatollah Taleghani (may God’s mercy be upon him), who led the magnificent Friday prayer in Tehran for the first time at the command of our great Imam. This late figure was a steadfast, pious, and pure scholar; he passed a good test. Both during the struggle and after the victory of the revolution, and in the very complex and difficult political and security equations that arose after the revolution, the late Ayatollah Taleghani passed a good test. The Friday prayer also became a blessed institution; both in Tehran and in other cities of this country. Gradually, Friday prayers in smaller and smaller towns across the Islamic country became centers of both spirituality and resistance. The prayer that is both a worship and a political act, which was a term that apparently came from the mouth of our great Imam, means that it is both a center of worship and a center of spiritual and political awareness; this awareness prevents a nation from faltering, from going astray, and from kneeling. Most of the breakdowns you observe in the political arena around the world for nations stem from the ignorance that has struck them in various ways. Awareness fortifies a nation against blows; it prepares them for resistance. Therefore, this is both a base of spirituality and a base of resistance. The value of this prayer should be recognized by all individuals, especially our dear youth, and also by the esteemed Friday prayer leaders across the country; they should also recognize the value of this prayer; this is a pulpit that has no equal. They should work to ensure that the attraction of Friday prayer draws the youth and pure and eager hearts towards it, and this center becomes warmer day by day. Another matter I mention, which I will use as a prelude to the main topic I will discuss, is the issue of the Sacred Defense Week that is approaching. The war that began in 1980 against the Islamic Republic, although it was initiated by the wretched and disgraceful Saddam, was backed by an international project of global arrogance to undermine the Islamic movement and the Islamic revolution. Western analysts analyzed and understood correctly that this revolution is not just about overthrowing a puppet regime in Iran and liberating this vast and blessed country from the grip of global arrogance; rather, this movement would inspire and shake the Islamic world, prompting nations to think. And indeed it happened: Palestine began to think, the countries of North Africa began to think, and a movement of Islamic identity began throughout the Islamic world that continues to develop and expand to this day. Because they understood that this would become the center of inspiration for the Islamic world, they said that the Islamic Republic must be destroyed by any means necessary. Thus, although the region is a sensitive area, an oil-rich region, and the West places great importance on oil and the Persian Gulf, and security here is vital for them, they nonetheless entered the field, bolstered Saddam, and encouraged him to start this war; he, being a foolish and power-hungry individual, thought he could resolve the issue in a few days or weeks and return to his position of power. Thus, for eight years, the Islamic Iran endured comprehensive pressures from all the great powers of the world through the channel of war; this is very significant. The former Soviet Union exerted pressure on Iran through this channel, the United States exerted pressure, NATO - the Europeans - exerted pressure, and the reactionaries of the region used various means to exert pressure against the Islamic Republic. One of these pressures would bring any revolution or government to its knees and topple it; however, all these pressures not only did not bring the Islamic Republic down, but rather strengthened the Iranian nation, made them more aware, and solidified their resolve and determination, and the Islamic Republic moved further towards Islamic and divine strength. Standing firm in the defense arena created such an effect. Numerous blows were also dealt to the opposing front. That is, Saddam and the Ba'ath regime suffered the main blow here. The Americans thought they could gather their forces. They realized that there was a regime that was hollow and not reliant on its people; they understood this. In fact, the main blow was dealt to this aggressor by the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic, which ultimately led to the situation you observe today. However, the Islamic Republic became stronger day by day. Now you hear them talking about sanctions and blockades and such. The blockades and sanctions during the war were far worse. It was amidst those sanctions that we brought our military forces, which were initially empty-handed, to this point, and in terms of military capabilities, the Islamic Republic is at the forefront of military capability in this region. The capabilities that the Islamic Republic has been able to create with power, ingenuity, creativity, and internal motivation have dazzled the eyes. In various scientific and technological fields and advancements, it is evident, and one example is the issue of nuclear energy. All of these were achieved by the Iranian nation during the period of sanctions and pressure. That is, the sanctions not only had no effect but had the opposite effect; they prompted internal forces to think and act. Now, the main point I want to convey in brief sentences today is that the suppression of the revolution and the defeat of the revolution - which was a project of global arrogance - has failed in this region, and on the contrary, the aggressors against the revolution, even with the size and power of a state like the United States, are getting closer to defeat and collapse day by day. Today we observe clear signs of defeat in American policies in the region. These are important chapters for our nation, for our youth, and for our analysts that must be truly contemplated. That is, the significant discussion of the confrontation between the spiritually reliant popular forces and the materially reliant forces based on power and threat is a very important and new discussion that must be addressed in the fields of social sciences and the psychology of nations and social psychology; this has been completely overlooked. A nation like ours, which has neither atomic bombs nor has been given the opportunity to keep pace with the leading scientific pioneers over the past hundred years and has often lagged behind, and in terms of wealth does not reach the level of those wealthy countries, yet in spite of this, this country and this nation have been able to force the conspiracies of a collection of powerful countries equipped with weapons, technology, and material wealth and media to retreat and defeat in the most important arenas. What is the reason for this? This is worthy of reflection and scrutiny. This should be analyzed by scholars of political science and social sciences; they should see how the role of spirituality manifests itself, as it has been demonstrated today in Iran. Therefore, looking at this scene is a lesson and a source of insight. The scene is one of the defeat of American global arrogance. We do not want to make unfounded claims; no, these are clear matters, and they themselves acknowledge them. The Americans used the events of September 11, 2001, as a pretext to advance their interests in the Middle East. Their main goal was to create a Middle East centered on Israeli interests; as we used to say, a Middle East with Israel as its capital; this was what they intended. The occupation of Iraq and the attack on Iraq were part of the plans of this project. Iraq is one of the wealthiest countries in this region and among the Arab countries; a country where, unfortunately, its people live in such poverty and painful conditions today. The Americans wanted to seize this country - Saddam was not enough; he was unpredictable - and establish a government there that would appear popular but be under their control. This was one of the important steps to create a new Middle East that should be established around Israeli interests. Such a Middle East could then encircle Islamic Iran; that was their goal. Now, observe each part of this plan. In Palestine, this plan failed. Palestine, which was a central and pivotal point, saw this plan fail there. Why? Because in Palestine, the group Hamas, which is the largest and main nucleus of resistance against Israel, formed a government through the people's votes and came to power. What greater slap in the face to America and Israel could there be? Since the day this government was established, they have been constantly scheming to remove it from the field; however, until today, they have not succeeded. Unfortunately, they have even received help from some Palestinians to bring the popular government of Palestine to its knees; however, until today, thanks be to God, they have not succeeded, and we hope they will not succeed in the future. This pertains to Palestine. The Zionist regime itself - which was the target of strengthening - was struck, and the Americans also received a slap in the face. How did they receive a slap in the face? Last summer, this boastful military force - the Israeli army, which was claimed to be the strongest army in the region - entered into war with Lebanon with extensive equipment; not against a country, not against a state; but against an organized force, with several thousand Hezbollah and Islamic resistance fighters. This war lasted thirty-three days, which has no precedent in this region. The several wars that Israel has had with the Arabs have not exceeded a few days - at most one or two weeks. This war lasted thirty-three days and ended with the complete and disgraceful defeat of the Israeli army. Who would have imagined this? The Americans did not even think of it, but it happened. This is also a slap in the face. They intended to disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon; however, Hezbollah not only was not disarmed but became so strong and powerful that it was able to defeat the Israeli army, which was considered invincible. Thus, they failed regarding the Palestinian government, they failed regarding the illegitimate Zionist government, they failed in cutting off the hands of the brave Lebanese youth from helping Palestine, and they failed in Iraq as well. They initially occupied Iraq through military conquest. This was the first step and the easy part of the issue. Today, more than four years have passed since the occupation of Iraq by the Americans and their allies. Everyone in the world judges that America has failed in Iraq. All analysts around the world know that America is now desperately seeking a way to exit Iraq with dignity. Everyone knows that America has reached a dead end in Iraq. The Americans' goal was to establish a puppet government. The government that the people of Iraq have brought to power is one that is very distant from American goals; it stands against the Americans; it is not their puppet and does not submit to them. The Americans have tried everything to topple the popular government and bring their own government to power, but they have not succeeded; they have not been able to until today. If the Iraqi nation, God willing, maintains its vigilance, they will not be able to in the future either. Regarding the weakening of the Islamic Republic and the blockade of the Islamic Republic, the situation has reversed. Thanks to the people of Iran, by divine grace, and with the help of God Almighty, this nation has continuously climbed the ladder of elevation and progress, step by step. Today, we are politically in a better position than four or five years ago when the Americans began their objectives. Today, we are higher in terms of scientific capabilities; we are ahead in terms of financial resources. Today, our nation is more vibrant and spiritually prepared. Today, our nation is ahead in terms of the governance of revolutionary values and the principles of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified). Over the past four or five years, whatever they have attempted, on the contrary, the Iranian nation has become more alive, more aware, more vibrant, and more present in the arena, and there is no issue in which one can see the Iranian nation showing indifference when their presence is needed. This is the product of America: a complete failure in their objectives. In addition, the Americans are now being questioned and held accountable by the Islamic Ummah. Today, America is condemned in the public opinion of the Islamic nation and the Islamic Ummah. You hear about various polls and surveys around the Islamic world; all indicate the unpopularity of America and its condemnation; they are being questioned. I firmly believe that the day will come when this current president of America and American officials will be held accountable in a fair international court for the atrocities they have committed in Iraq. The Americans must answer why they do not withdraw from the occupation of Iraq; they must answer why this country is engulfed in waves of insecurity and storms of insecurity and terrorism. The Americans imposed terrorism on Iraq. They must answer why, in this wealthy country, fifty percent of the people are unemployed today; why there is no trace of public services in this country. The people have problems with electricity, fuel, clean drinking water; their schools have been destroyed, their universities have been destroyed, no schools have been built, their hospitals have become unusable. The people are in need of hospitals; which hospital have the Americans built? Which hospital have they equipped? Which university have they built or repaired? Which road have they fixed? Which pipeline have they laid? Which drinking water have they connected? These require answers; the Americans must answer these; they cannot evade responsibility. Now, today, they may deal with these issues with indifference, but this will not always be the case; they will be held accountable; just as many others have been held accountable. There are many powerful figures whose accountability has been sought; Hitler was once held accountable, Saddam was once held accountable, and some European leaders have been held accountable. Nations oppose this method; the American nation also opposes it. The British nation was also displeased with the presence of the British in Iraq and wanted them to leave Basra. The people of Spain and Italy, whose governments aided America in the war against Iraq, overthrew those governments; new governments came to power in both countries. The people of the world are unhappy with this situation. What is progressing is the will of the nations; it is the will of the masses. The show of power by the powerful does not last long. America has been defeated. In this movement that they initiated several years ago in this region, which aimed at the Middle East and, in our view, the ultimate goal was the Islamic Republic, they have neither been able to seize the Middle East nor weaken the Islamic Republic; Iraq's situation is also as you see. The Americans are in trouble. Now, projecting blame and media demands do not matter. Now, they can accuse Iran or another country, but that has no substance. However, in their own reports, their weakness and stagnation are completely evident. The political and military representatives of America in Iraq, who went to the U.S. Congress to report on the war in Iraq, the only achievement they could mention was that they said Iraq has joined the American arms market. Shame on you! They took a country, trampled on its people, destroyed its national interests, and lied to their own nation about their intentions; now the result is that American weapons are available for sale in Iraq! This indicates the utmost weakness and backwardness; it shows that they are truly unsuccessful. Dear brothers and sisters! Great nation of Iran! Know your worth; appreciate this path; appreciate this straight path that has empowered you and made your enemy small and insignificant before you; know that this path is the path of God; it is the call of the prophets of God; it is the path of the governance of Islam. We have numerous issues regarding our internal affairs that we can discuss; however, there is no time. The only thing I will say is that our nation should be vigilant, awake. You have accomplished many things thanks to this awakening and vigilance; you have advanced in many arenas and achieved great successes; it is still under the shadow of this awakening and vigilance that you will be able to conquer peaks and extricate yourselves from vulnerability. Make it so that no one dares to threaten the Iranian nation. The last Friday of the month is the Day of Quds, which may now fall one Friday earlier in this year's Ramadan so that all Islamic countries can participate. Now, the responsibility lies with those who manage these affairs. Remember the Day of Quds and do not forget it. God willing, may we all be able to make the most of the opportunities of this month.