Statements in Meeting with Officials and Organizers of Hajj

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

I congratulate all of you dear brothers and sisters who are present here, and to the entire dear nation of Iran and all the believers and Muslims around the world on the blessed birth of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him).

Although there are many prominent and distinguished points in the blessed lives of the Imams (peace be upon them) over the 250 years of their leadership, the era of the eighth Imam (peace be upon him) is one of the most outstanding periods in this regard. The beginning of the leadership of the eighth Imam (peace be upon him) was during the oppressive reign of Harun al-Rashid, following the martyrdom of Musa ibn Ja'far in prison, and there was immense pressure on anyone who deviated even slightly from the demands of the ruling authority. In such a situation, the eighth Imam (peace be upon him) assumed leadership.

It is narrated that one of the companions said that this young man, the son of Musa ibn Ja'far, has taken on this responsibility while "the sword of Harun drips with blood"; in such a condition. This great figure was able, even in those difficult circumstances, to expand the clear path of the prophetic tradition and the Quranic and Islamic teachings among the Muslim community and to draw hearts closer to the school of the Ahl al-Bayt and the family of the Prophet. Until it came to the time of Ma'mun and the story of his insistence and pressure to bring that great man from Medina to Marv, to Khorasan - at that time, Marv was the capital of the Abbasid government; that is, the center of governance had been moved from Baghdad to Marv, which later returned to Baghdad - the details of Ma'mun's demands and the caliphate's motivations for this invitation and pressure to bring the eighth Imam are lengthy; he had made a calculation that was purely political, aimed at consolidating the foundations of power and weakening the movement of the knowledge of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and the work that these great figures were doing, this was his policy. In response to this political and cunning movement of Ma'mun, the eighth Imam (peace be upon him) devised and implemented a divine, wise program that not only did not fulfill the demands of the caliphate, but rather, on the contrary, led to the propagation and expansion of Quranic knowledge attributed to the Ahl al-Bayt throughout the Islamic world. A great movement, with reliance on God Almighty, with divine wisdom, with that penetrating insight, the eighth Imam (peace be upon him) was able to turn this hostile plan of the oppressive, arrogant, and tyrannical political apparatus completely around in favor of truth and reality. This is a prominent chapter in the history of the Imams (peace be upon them).

The presence of this sacred shrine in this part of the great Islamic homeland has also brought many blessings. Thanks be to God, connections have been established among Muslims in the farthest corners of the world - those whose hearts beat with love for the Ahl al-Bayt, from all Islamic sects and groups - thanks to this sacred shrine, this noble resting place, this sanctuary of the Ahl al-Bayt in Khorasan. We hope, God willing, that the blessings of the presence of this sacred shrine, which draws our hearts towards the spirituality of this pure and sacred family, will increase day by day. This is the resting place of Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him), the gathering place of the angels of the heavens; it is the place of divine attention. Pure hearts, loving hearts, those devoted to this sacred family, converse with God Almighty there with their eager hearts; it is the center of remembrance; the center of attention; the center of monotheism; thanks to the resting place of the eighth Imam (peace be upon him). We hope that the blessings of this great figure will encompass all of us, all the people of Iran, all the Muslims of the world, and strengthen the bonds of Muslims with one another as in the past.

The issue of Hajj is a significant matter; aside from the spiritual aspects of Hajj and its constructive effects, this spiritual journey is an opportunity like other great opportunities. A nation must prove its vigilance by fully utilizing and benefiting from opportunities. Hajj is an opportunity. The Islamic system, the Islamic community, and the Muslim people must regard this opportunity as precious, for the reform of their religious and spiritual affairs, to illuminate the heedless hearts of all of us, and to draw the Islamic community's attention more to divine blessings on one hand, and to reform many important matters of the Islamic Ummah on the other hand; this opportunity can be utilized. The spirituality of Hajj must be utilized; the place of intimacy with God Almighty, the remembrance of God Almighty, the feeling of being in the divine presence is more than ever available during the rituals of Hajj. In the two holy shrines, in Mina, in Arafat, in Muzdalifah, in these acts of saying 'Labbaik' (Here I am), in donning the Ihram, the feeling that one is responding to the divine call is a tremendous opportunity for aware and vigilant hearts to strengthen their relationship with God Almighty. We must familiarize our hearts with God; this is a very important opportunity.

Of course, the officials, the respected clergy who are present in the caravans, the heads of the caravans, the servants of the Hajj organization, and the servants in the leadership mission have heavier responsibilities; you are the servants of God's guests, your duties are significant; these duties are not limited to the times of performing the Hajj rituals. During the times when the Hajj rituals have concluded or in the intervals between the rituals of Umrah and Hajj when the respected pilgrims have some leisure, your guidance, your attentiveness, your consideration for all pilgrims is essential. In this interval - between the pilgrim's departure and return to the holy city of Mecca and the performance of the Hajj rituals - the respected officials must feel a sense of duty regarding fulfilling the material needs and, more importantly, fulfilling the spiritual needs: drawing attention, reminding, instilling the spirit of humility, the spirit of supplication, turning away from the distractions of ordinary life - which we are often caught up in during ordinary times, we must distance ourselves from these distractions during the days of Hajj; we must immerse ourselves in attention and remembrance - this way, the pilgrim will truly feel a real change in themselves after the Hajj journey. Many people completely change their wrong past paths and return to the right path, the path of worship, the path of obedience to the truth; thanks to the Hajj journey.

In terms of the general issues of the Islamic world and the Islamic Ummah, there are also heavy responsibilities; today, the Islamic world is going through a critical period. It cannot be said that this period is harder than past periods; it is not like that; in past periods, the Islamic world, the Islamic nations faced difficult challenges, endured severe tests, and had numerous problems. Today, the Islamic world is in a critical situation, but a bright future can also be seen amidst the difficulties; this future must be recognized, and the dangers must be assessed. As much as possible and within your reach, whether as a preacher, an activist, a linguist, or an ordinary pilgrim, you must be effective in addressing the problems of the Islamic world; through speaking, holding meetings, exchanging opinions, and sharing information.

Today, one of the most important tactics of the enemies of the Islamic Ummah is to create discord; they create discord. If someone accepts that the Islamic movement and Islamic awakening threaten the interests of the great powers, they can certainly understand that the great powers concentrate all their efforts to create discord among Muslims, to keep them occupied, to distract them, and not give them the opportunity to think. This is what they are currently doing with intensity; they provoke the factors of discord among Islamic sects - particularly between Sunni and Shia - as much as they can around the Islamic world; they fill hearts with hatred and suspicion; this is what colonial hands are doing; unfortunately, some among us, from within our own ranks, whether Sunni or Shia, assist them; they are heedless! They are unaware that what they are doing in creating enmity and hostility and pretending to oppose is serving the interests of the great powers; they do not understand. Do whatever you can during Hajj to reduce this misunderstanding, this artificial animosity that the enemies of Islam and the Islamic Ummah inject among the Islamic Ummah; lessen it. Today, the great interest of the Islamic world is that Muslim brothers have clear hearts towards one another; they have commonalities; there are so many commonalities among Muslims; the enemy wants to negate these commonalities. Today, in some areas of the Islamic world, propaganda against Shia is being conducted that aims to eliminate these commonalities; they propagate that Shia has a view of the Quran different from that of Muslims; they have a view of the Prophet different from that of Muslims; they are spending money for this purpose; they are slandering their own Muslim brothers; to the benefit of the imperialist systems, to the benefit of America, to the benefit of Zionism, to the benefit of the enemies of the Islamic Ummah. Do whatever you can to nullify these misunderstandings, these suspicions, these fabrications. The gathering of Muslims during Hajj is a great opportunity; this opportunity must not be wasted; the best use of this opportunity is to foster unity among Muslims; in gatherings, everyone should participate together; in spiritual and worship ceremonies, everyone should participate together; everyone should prostrate to God Almighty together; worship God in front of the House of God. Take the enemy's weapon out of their hands. Today, you see that "takfir" is a tool for the enemies of Islam and the enemies of the Islamic Ummah; not only do they takfir Shia, but they also takfir Sunni; they blow up their mosques and prayers to benefit the Zionist regime, to keep people and Muslims occupied so that they become heedless of the important issue of Palestine and the presence of the enemy in the heart of the Islamic world; this is the goal. Some, out of naivety, and some, of course, out of malice, accompany them; this must be recognized.

One of the issues that must be addressed during Hajj is the issue of Palestine. The issue of Palestine is the foremost issue of the Islamic world. Fortunately, in the matter of Palestine, Muslims have gradually gained the upper hand. Look at the events of the fifty-day war in Gaza, see how a limited, impoverished group of Palestinians - who have neither advanced weapons, nor abundant resources, nor communication routes to connect with one another; they are besieged - were able to overcome the Zionist regime, which is a symbol of Western power in the region, impose their will upon them, and thwart their efforts to attack Gaza; this indicates that we are strong within ourselves, we have many capabilities, we can challenge any enmity, we can defend ourselves; we must not underestimate our power. The power of Islam, the power of the Quran, the power of faith, the power of the Islamic Ummah is a great power; this power must not be underestimated; this power can eliminate oppression. We do not intend to dominate the world; we intend to repel the oppression of the arrogant systems - which bully the Muslim nations - and to eliminate this oppression; and we can do this. Each individual involved in the Hajj and in this great opportunity can play a role. Each of you can play a role, you can have an impact; a cleric in one way, a doctor in another way, a caravan manager in another way, an ordinary pilgrim in another way, can play a role and must regard this as an opportunity and utilize this opportunity.

Thanks be to God, the conditions of Hajj and its organization have changed significantly from the past; good works have been done, both in terms of welfare and material services, and in terms of spiritual, intellectual, and promotional services, but we should not be satisfied with this level; we must progress; there are many gaps, many works that can be done; there are many opportunities available that must be utilized; all brothers from different points, with different sects - the solidarity of Shia and Sunni Muslims in Iran can serve as a model for the Islamic world - today, thanks be to God, Shia and Sunni brothers within the country, alongside each other, in cooperation, are accomplishing great works, one of which is this issue of Hajj, and many important works are being carried out with public cooperation, with the cooperation of all the people of Iran; this can serve as a model for the Islamic world. We hope that God Almighty will increase His favors, successes, and assistance to the Islamic Ummah and those seeking righteousness within the Islamic Ummah day by day; and God willing, may your Hajj be an accepted Hajj; and God willing, may you return from this journey with full hands.

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