Statements of the Supreme Leader in Meeting with Hajj Officials

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

We humbly and submissively beseech the Almighty God that the Hajj of the pilgrims and guests of the esteemed House of God be accepted at His exalted threshold and lead to the satisfaction of the Most High and the descent of divine blessings upon the Islamic communities. We must sincerely thank those involved in Hajj and pilgrimage, whether in the mission office, the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, or the agencies that cooperate and are present in the work and its peripheries, and we ask the Almighty for rewards for each of these hardworking and esteemed officials.

The points mentioned - whether by Mr. Qazi Asgar or the esteemed head of the organization - the actions they have taken or intend to take are all good and necessary actions. Efforts should be made so that, God willing, all that these compassionate managers desire is realized with complete vigilance, so that we can bring the Hajj in terms of form, meaning, framework, and content closer to what the Almighty God has asked of us; so that we can perform this great obligation and this determining duty - which has characteristics that are not found in any other Islamic obligation; it pertains to the community, it pertains to the world - in the manner that the Almighty God has willed and desired for us and you, God willing.

Well, circumstances change. This year, the situation of Hajj is a special one. The emergence of the greatness of the Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him) in the eyes of friends and admirers, as well as in the eyes of enemies, is one of the characteristics of this year's Hajj. The incident in which the sinful hands of the enemies insulted the sacred presence of that great figure in America has two sides: on one side, it demonstrates the depth of the hatred and animosity of the enemies and the arrogant powers and their agents towards the Prophet of Mercy, the Prophet of Honor, the Prophet of Dignity, the bearer of the highest and most valuable human and moral attributes throughout human history and in all of existence; it shows how deeply they are hostile to the Prophet. On the other side, while they commit these insults, their politicians take a stance that is no different from that of enmity! This is one side of the issue; which, well, has been very beneficial for the Islamic world. The most skeptical of people and groups have understood that today the main alignment is between whom and whom; the disputes are between the front of truth and falsehood centered around what; it has become clear that it revolves around the essence of Islam, around the essence of the existence of the Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him). This was an incident that the enemy caused, but the Islamic world benefited from it; because it recognized the enemy, understood the reason for enmity, and identified the axis of the conflict between truth and falsehood. Today, these are the disputes; the rest of the claims that the arrogant powers make against the Muslim nations are secondary, false, and excuses; the essence of the matter has become clear. This is one side of the issue.

The other side of the issue is this great movement of Muslims. You see what is happening today in the Islamic world; the Muslim nations are showing a tremendous outpouring. Most of them have not seen this film; they have only learned that such an insult has occurred, and you see what a surge there is in the Islamic world. Muslim countries, Muslim nations, without anyone asking them, without anyone inciting them, are moving forward, coming forth, and with all their being, from the depths of their hearts, they are shouting their devotion and love for their Prophet; this is very valuable. It has become a remarkable scene. In the Western countries, where the great idols and arrogant powers sit and continuously plan against Islam and the Islamic community, in Europe, in America, in various non-Muslim countries, Muslims and sometimes non-Muslims have come into the arena. This is another side of the issue. This is a very important matter; it has shown the capacity of the Islamic world for movement.

We have previously stated that the gathering of Muslims is the blessed presence of the Prophet. That is, where all Muslims, different sects, various schools of thought, and different beliefs come together and all acknowledge and confess one truth, it is the sacred existence of the Seal of the Prophets. Here, there is no longer any meaning to Sunni and Shia and various sects, moderate and extreme, and so on. In relation to this center, to this axis, to this pole of divine and Islamic beliefs, everyone is united and in agreement with heart and soul. Today, this is being demonstrated in the Islamic world; this should be valued.

Here is where "disavowal of polytheists" finds meaning in Hajj. Hajj is a place where Muslims from all over the Islamic world gather. Different cultures, different races, different languages, various dialects and accents - as Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) said in the blessed supplication of Arafah - all are gathered there, united. This unity, which is physically and materially manifested in the large gatherings of Hajj, must deepen; everyone must feel that they are facing a danger, facing an enemy; all must seek disavowal from this enemy from the depths of their being. The meaning of disavowal from polytheists in Hajj becomes apparent here.

The rank and status of the sacred existence of the Prophet Akram is something that we humans cannot depict with our limited and deficient tongues and our short understandings; we only love him, we only express sincerity and humility; more than this, we cannot do anything. The Prophet is someone whom the Almighty God says: "Indeed, God and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet." The sacred essence of the Lord sends blessings upon him, the angels of the Almighty God send blessings upon him; who are we that we can understand or recognize his status? But we love him, we cherish him, we stand by his words. This must remain as a principle for us: we must stand by the words of our Prophet; and that is the word of monotheism, the word of Islam, the Quran. Hajj must be made a manifestation of this.

One of the great plots of the enemy - which, thanks be to God, has been largely neutralized in this matter, but everyone must be vigilant - is to sow discord among this great and unified scene. We, who are concentrated on one point in our foundations, in the principles, in the most fundamental issues of Islam, should not be placed against each other due to some theoretical, doctrinal, and practical differences. Yes, Islamic sects and schools have various disagreements on different issues; but let us say: against you who are the enemies of Islam, against you who commit such injustices against the sacred existence of our Prophet, we are all united, we are all in agreement. The enemies of religion, the arrogant powers, and the administrators of the anti-Islam front should know that the Islamic community is united and in agreement against them; they should dispel the notion of creating discord among us; they should despair of being able to create differences among us. Our propagandists, our people, our managers, our followers of various sects, our Sunnis, our Shias, all must be mindful of this; we must be vigilant and not allow the enemy to save itself from facing the wrath of the Islamic community by creating discord among us - which we would use our anger and rage against ourselves and within ourselves - this would be a great mistake. This is one point regarding Hajj and especially this year's Hajj.

Another point that has been emphasized repeatedly and needs to be stated again is that although Hajj is a political obligation, a social obligation, a manifestation of unity, a manifestation of the gathering of Muslims, for expressing disavowal - there is no doubt about this - it is also a collection overflowing with spiritual feelings; this must not be forgotten. From the beginning of the Hajj rituals, from the very Ihram you don for Umrah at the Miqat, to the last duties and obligations that exist in Hajj, the remembrance of God resonates; we must keep this in mind. The remembrance of the Almighty God purifies us, cleanses us, removes the rust from our hearts, dispels our heedlessness, and weakens our love for the world and our clinging to material wealth, status, and sexual and non-sexual desires. We need this today and always. In order for a person to be able to correctly traverse the path and not deviate from the straight path of truth, they need to always nurture the remembrance of God in their heart; and in this regard, Hajj is one of the best opportunities; it is unparalleled in many respects. I ask you to pay attention to what you are doing in each of the actions and obligations and rituals you perform, in the Talbiyah you say at the beginning; be mindful of who you are speaking to. In Tawaf, in Sa'i, at the Miqat, at the places of standing, in every action of Hajj, let us know that we are speaking to whom, we are dealing with whom, for whom we are striving. Let us not separate this remembrance, this invocation, this humility, this supplication from ourselves for a moment; this is one of the important tasks. The esteemed clergy, especially the caravan officials, and those connected with individuals should pay attention to this point.

The last point is that communications with Muslim brothers in the Islamic world must be revived at this important center. Communications are not governmental communications. Governmental communications are formal, linguistic communications, for other matters. The communication between the individuals of the Islamic community is a heartfelt communication; this is achieved through the interaction of individuals of different nations with one another. In meeting with Muslim brothers who have come from other countries, those who speak the language can express their love, offer greetings, and emphasize common points; those who cannot speak can do so through actions: make room, show kindness, express love, endure some difficulties and harshness; one may bump into you, you smile at them in response. In practice, strive to create this connection; not only to preserve the dignity and honor of Iran and the Iranian nation - which is indeed very important; how good it is for a nation to demonstrate its dignity, value, and commitment to human and Islamic ethics - but also to establish this heartfelt connection. Whoever belongs to any race, any language, any sect, is a Muslim; they too have come out of love for the Kaaba, out of love for the Prophet; they too are on the same path, they too are speaking to the Almighty God. As much as you can, highlight this commonality to one another; let them understand that this commonality exists. When a Muslim feels that they have brothers in other countries, in other nations, they gain spiritual strength, they gain self-confidence; they free themselves from the weakness imposed on Muslims by the wicked hands of the arrogant. This state must be strengthened.

We ask the Almighty God to bestow His blessings upon our pilgrims and all the pilgrims of the Islamic world. God willing, may all of you be included in the pure prayers of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him) and may we all be able to move in a way that pleases the Lord of the Universe.

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