Statements of His Eminence in Meeting with Various Segments of People at the 'Imam Khomeini Courtyard' of the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him)

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our Master and Prophet, the beloved of our hearts, Abul Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure, immaculate, chosen family, the guided and infallible, especially the remainder of God on earth. God, the Wise, has said in His Book: 'Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with God; some of them have fulfilled their vow, and some are still waiting, and they have not changed in the least.'

Before beginning my speech, I ask all brothers and sisters, since today coincides with the seventh day of the passing of our dear son and the cherished legacy of our great Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), and this annual meeting of ours is held on such a day, to recite a 'Hamd' and 'Qul Huwa Allah' for his soul, so that he may benefit more from this gathering.

Firstly, I extend my congratulations to all dear brothers and sisters, the faithful, loyal, and sincere people of the holy city of Mashhad, as well as the pilgrims and travelers who are present here these days, on this blessed occasion. This is a good opportunity to start the new year under the shadow of the holy shrine of Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha, peace and blessings be upon him. The topic I intend to discuss today is both a religious understanding and related to the issues of the revolution, the country, and current global matters, and it also provides a basis for those who wish to work and research in Islamic fields. In summary, the topic I wish to present is as follows:

In all religions and sects, indeed in all civilizations and cultures of the world, there are matters that people must perform and qualities they must develop within themselves. These are values. There are also actions and qualities that people must avoid. These are anti-values. In both religions and worldly cultures, there are matters and qualities that are considered anti-values, and if someone wishes to achieve the goals of religion, they must avoid them. In the great global civilizations, certain things are identified as anti-values from their perspective.

People, groups, and communities must avoid anti-values. Everywhere, there are things that are rejected and negative from the perspective of religion, a particular school of thought, or a specific civilization or culture, which must be set aside. In religious and legal terms, these anti-values are called 'prohibitions' or reprehensible matters and ugly qualities. Similarly, everywhere, there are values that, if not observed and adhered to, the goals that religion, civilization, and culture invite to cannot be achieved. If some people pursue cultural or religious values, for example, perform obligatory or recommended acts, but do not refrain from prohibitions, they will not reach those goals. It is like a patient taking a healing medicine but not avoiding what is harmful to them. In this case, the medicine will not have a positive or at least a significant effect and will not bring them recovery. Therefore, when we look at the issue from the perspective of Islam, we see that in the sacred law of Islam, both the dos and don'ts are mentioned together. If we want to achieve Islamic goals, it is necessary to observe both the dos and the don'ts. In the past, those who did not want people to reach Islamic goals sometimes observed the dos but did not observe the don'ts. For example, the oppressive Pahlavi regime sometimes, to pretend to be Muslim, would mention God, the Prophet, and the Imam. These were the dos. Or they would sometimes pretend to pray. For instance, someone accidentally prayed somewhere; they would spread the photo and pretend that 'yes, sometimes they also pray.' Or they would print and distribute a Quran. Such small acts would occur from them. But they did not observe the don'ts; they openly committed immorality and performed prohibitions. They openly befriended the enemies of God and subjected the friends of God to pressure, torture, murder, and imprisonment.

In a narration from Imam Sadiq, peace and blessings be upon him, it is reported that he said: 'Indeed, the Umayyads allowed the teaching of faith, but they did not allow the teaching of disbelief, so that when they imposed it on them, they would not recognize it.' That is, the Umayyads allowed people to learn faith and understand what faith is; but they did not allow people to understand what disbelief and immorality are! Why did they not let people understand this correctly? So that if they themselves behaved in a way that led people towards disbelief and immorality, people would not understand what they were doing, and their secret would not be exposed to the people. This is the behavior of the Umayyads; the behavior of the tyrants. Sometimes, to please the people or to pretend to be in harmony with the people, they mention God; but they do not allow the don'ts to be slightly erased and obliterated in their lives according to God's and Islam's view. Their lives are polluted. This is the behavior of the tyrants and the opposite of the teachings of the Imams, peace be upon them.

The supplication of 'Makarem al-Akhlaq,' which truly each phrase and sentence of it is a great knowledge, is a lesson in life for a believer. It is appropriate for those who are inclined to study and reflect or are devoted to supplication and humility to become familiar with and accustomed to the supplication of 'Makarem al-Akhlaq.' At the beginning of this supplication, there are several sentences that place good and bad in opposition to each other. For example, 'And make goodness flow through my hands for the people...' meaning, O God, let good deeds for the people be carried out by my hands. This is a good deed. Then immediately it says: '...and do not spoil it with reproach.' That is, do not spoil this good deed by reproaching those for whom the good deed was done. 'The dos' is to do good for the people. 'The don'ts' is the reproach. Or it says, 'And grant me noble morals'; grant me high and noble morals. But 'And protect me from pride'; do not let me fall into pride, that I boast and say yes; I have such and such good morals. Of course, in a sentence before these sentences, it says: 'And honor me and do not test me with arrogance'; grant me honor, but do not grant me arrogance.

Honor is good, but arrogance is bad. The behavior and teachings of the Imams, peace be upon them, are like this. Well, in terms of Islamic knowledge and culture, the issue is like this. In all cultures and civilizations, there are things that are 'dos' and things that are 'don'ts.' Each nation chooses something according to its needs. No one has the right to tell another nation: Sir! Why are you in agreement with such a thing or against such a thing? Scientific discussion is separate; belief discussion is separate. But where a nation speaks to another nation, it is wrong to say: Sir! Why do you not, for example, act like us in the state of eating? Well, each nation has its own habits and culture and dos and don'ts that usually form according to needs. Today in the world, unfortunately, there is this ugly habit that the leaders and military and financial powers of the world - that is, these arrogant powers of the world - insult all the nations of the world by saying 'Why do you not live and behave like us?!' The issue of cultural invasion, which I have emphasized many times, a major part of it is related to this issue.

The culture of the Westerners, whether right or wrong, belongs to them. They are not satisfied with other nations telling them 'Your culture belongs to you. We do not object to you living this way, dressing this way, behaving this way, and having such characteristics.' They say: 'Other nations must behave and dress like us.' If someone participates in international and official gatherings and, for example, does not have such a thing around their neck, from the perspective of the Westerners and their leaders and Western culture, their action is rejected. 'Sir; why do you not wear this?' Well, another nation, in turn, asks them: 'Why do you wear it?' Just as you liked it that way, wanted it that way, dressed that way, and have such a fashion; every nation also has its own - regardless of right or wrong - culture, customs, habits, beliefs, and traditions. If we want to bring up the account of right and wrong, it is obvious that Islamic culture and the culture that originates from divine revelation - that is, the culture of Islamic nations - is correct and solid. In any case, regardless of which is right and which is wrong, every nation must stand on its own feet and choose its culture, beliefs, customs, and habits itself. No power has the right to tell nations 'Why do you behave this way, and not that way?' This is wrong.

Of course, there are things in the world that are bad and ugly from the perspective of all nations. Oppression is bad from everyone's perspective. Aggression against the innocent is wrong and ugly from any sound mind. Unfortunately, the same powers that today expect all nations and countries to behave like them and imitate them do not observe these things. They commit murder, aggression, and plunder the wealth of nations. They themselves commit these wrongs; then, they are not willing to tolerate the correct words, correct paths, and solid methods of nations.

Well, this was a general matter regarding values and anti-values. 'Prohibition' can be religious - anti-religious values -, national - every nation has things among itself that are anti-values - or human and universal - all humans and humanity consider certain things bad and anti-values. From the perspective of the sacred law of Islam and Quranic culture, the manifestation of all anti-values and evils is something that the Quran calls 'Satan.' In the logic of Islam and the Quran, Satan is a general concept that is the manifestation of all anti-values, evils, and ugliness. Everything attributed to Satan in the Quran is bad. Corruption, arrogance, laziness, sedition, oppression, enmity with the good and goodness, belong to Satan.

My dear ones! What I wish to share with you at the beginning of this new year within this framework is that our great revolution was a liberating movement for Iran and Iranians and anyone who knows this revolution. As you see today, nations have recognized this, understood it, and turned to it. There is a commotion in the world in the inclination towards the great Islamic revolution and the praise and admiration of what happened in Iran. Well, the Islamic revolution that saved Iran and Iranians, indeed Islam and Muslims, from the clutches of demonic and satanic powers, has dos and don'ts. The dos are things that the revolution tells the revolutionary person - who lives under the shadow of the revolution - 'You must do this.' The don'ts are things that the revolution says: 'You must not do this, in order to reach the goals.' For Iran to reach its high goals by the blessing of the revolution and to remove the ugliness, corruption, seditions, and destructions that the enemies of the Iranian nation left in this country over many years, these must be observed.

I say: If someone asks me - we who have closely observed all the events from the beginning of the revolution and before the revolution in every corner of the country - about the great nation of Iran regarding the dos of the revolution, I testify that the Iranian nation has truly and justly performed the dos and obligations of the revolution in the best way. Which revolutionary obligation has our nation not performed? The highest struggles have been performed by this nation for the revolution. Is eight years of war a joke?! Eight years of war where on one side were all the first-class military powers of the world who joined hands and supported one person and one front and faction! The former Soviet Union, America, NATO, the reactionary Arab countries, and anyone who had capabilities helped in some way. Some due to enmity with Iran, some for arms trade, and the countries of the Persian Gulf region also due to the abundance of money they had and all markets being open to them, provided all kinds of military and armament support to the aggressor. On one side of the war was this nation, relying solely on God and with self-confidence, performing the greatest struggles. Is there anything greater than this?!

Participation in political arenas is one of the 'dos' of the revolution. All segments of our nation - men and women - from the first year of the revolution's victory until today, have participated in all political arenas that the revolution expected from them and wherever it was necessary to prove the presence of the nation, they have been present. But for foreign radios, lying is easy. Lies do not get stuck in the throat of the speaker like a bone! The Zionist and arrogant media constantly propagandize against the Islamic Republic. One of their major propaganda points was that they said 'The Iranian nation is tired of Islam and the revolution!' Well, who can refute this? Suppose the Iranian radio responds 'No, they are not tired.' Is it proven with this?! How is it proven that the Iranian nation is still attached to the revolution, Islam, values, and high goals, and for them, they put all their existence, mind, soul, and body on the line, and are present in the arena? Only the physical presence of the people in specific periods and the desired arenas - in the streets and squares - can neutralize those accusations.

These faithful, loyal, intelligent, aware, and politically savvy people have been present where necessary - on the 22nd of Bahman, Quds Day, the funeral of the Imam's son, and the great religious authorities. These people have provided financial assistance to our country's officials and to the people of Sarajevo, Palestine, Lebanon, and various parts of the world; to earthquake victims, war refugees, and refugees from other countries. Our people have performed the obligatory duties of life, finance, and politics well. Wherever the revolution called this nation, they responded. They must participate in elections; they participated. They must support a caring official; they supported.

These are the obligations of the revolution. I say to you, brothers, sisters, and the dear nation of Iran: It is this responsiveness of yours that has insured this great revolution with all these enemies until today and has driven the enemy out of the arena. The enemies cannot do anything. What can they do against a nation?! Against a government that is not connected to its people and has no roots, they can do a thousand things and they do. Therefore, you see that governments and regimes that are not connected to their own people and have no popular support easily go under the yoke of America and others and accept their words out of fear. But what can they do against the millions of a nation, that too an aware, fighting, fearless, God-fearing, God-reliant, tested, and proven nation?! This is the place where the great Imam repeatedly said in the face of America's hostilities: 'America cannot do a damn thing.' They cannot do a damn thing; because their opponent is a great nation.

The nation's performance in the field of revolutionary obligations has been very good. The revolution also has a series of 'don'ts' and prohibitions. Those prohibitions must also be considered. In the past two or three years, whenever an opportunity has arisen, I have spoken about the don'ts of the revolution with the youth, groups interested in pursuing the goals of the revolution, and with the general public and millions of people. I will also make a reference now:

The people also observe the don'ts very well. But sometimes among the people, things are observed that it is good not to be observed. One of them is the very thing I mentioned in the first message of this year to you people: These extravagances and wastefulness are among the don'ts. Of course, I know that a large number of people, especially the middle classes, observe it. Some do not observe it. Extravagance is a quagmire. Financial wastefulness is a satanic temptation. When you, by the blessing of divine guidance, despite the obstacles of the enemies, stand like an active, lively, and young being to renew life and use the vast wealth resources in this country, there you must see what causes even a slight harm; do not do it. Extravagance, engaging in excessive consumption, and the greed of some classes in obtaining improper and unhealthy incomes are among these. These should not exist.

The Holy Prophet, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, peace and blessings be upon him, at the beginning of Islam - which was another scene like today's scene of our revolution - faced these issues; he fought and struggled. However, the Prophet did not only consider a specific period; rather, he spoke and fought with consideration of the length of history. In every such incident, divine revelation would descend; the Prophet's heavenly soul was also present. Then the Noble Prophet would explain the matter to the people. Therefore, you see in the Quran: '...and do not be extravagant.' Do not overdo it. Among the scholars, this matter is almost certain that any sin for which a promise of punishment is given in the Quran is among the major sins. If we look at it from this perspective, we see that many of these actions that are not noticeable are among the major sins and we are not aware of it.

Today the country is in the process of reconstruction. You do not know what the enemies of this nation did to this country during the reign of the cursed Pahlavi and Qajar dynasties, especially in the second half of the Qajar dynasty. They took away vital resources as much as they could; some they wasted, and some they could not reach. The railway that the gracious government of the Islamic Republic began to build and which was inaugurated a few days ago by the grace of the Lord, was necessary for the country. While from the first day the railway came to this country - more than a century ago - it was not given any attention. They went after the railway that the British and Russians needed. Reza Khan built the trans-Iranian railway to connect the British sphere of influence - Iraq and the south of the country - to the Russian sphere of influence in the north of the country. Such a railway was not necessary for the country. The necessary railway for this country is the very railway that the Islamic Republic built, connecting Bandar Abbas - the first major port of Iran in the Persian Gulf - to the center and the entire country. This work had not been done in the past hundred years.

There are many such undone works. Well, these destructions in the country, after the corruption of the enemies and the puppet kings and during the reign of Reza Khan and Mohammad Reza and the ignorant, illiterate, unpatriotic, foreign power-submissive, and pleasure-seeking tyrants, have been carried out. Today the revolution wants to rebuild these. Sixteen years have passed since the revolution, eight of which we have been engaged in war. Now see how difficult it is to build this country! How can this country be built? The government officials are caring and efficient. The people are also, by the grace of the Lord, present in the arena. The enemy wants there to be inflation in this country. For this reason, they counterfeit the Iranian toman to devalue the country's currency using the existing methods and economic formulas.

So far, they have acted against this country and its people and economy. Everyone must be careful. I say to you: The Satan that the Quran, in the logic of religion, has considered the manifestation of evil and corruption, also exists in the logic of the revolution. This Satan is 'global arrogance,' which is the enemy of the revolution. The most vile and malicious of all Satans is the government of the United States of America. Iranian men and women and all the people across this country should know that today there is no enemy worse, more malicious, and more dangerous for them than these American officials who are currently leading the affairs of the United States. They constantly plot against the Islamic Republic and this nation. Of course, they constantly hit their heads against the wall; but they do not learn manners. One of the presidents of America sent helicopters into this country and encountered the storm of Tabas, that is, the invisible soldiers of God. What do they say?! Do they understand what they are doing?! Do they understand why?! Who are they facing?! These nonsense they say, against whom is it?! Who is the answer with?! The Iranian nation is a great and powerful nation. The Iranian nation is a united and cultured nation. I am surprised why they do not learn from their predecessors and from these sixteen years?! They constantly babble and spread lies against the Islamic Republic and the nation and officials of Iran! Their leaders and elders constantly spread lies about the Persian Gulf islands, Iran's armaments, nuclear energy, and chemical weapons. If newspapers write, one would say 'Well; they are journalists. They are forced to lie for their bread!' Their parliament leaders and president say it! One is surprised why a system should fall into such moral degradation and misery, to fall into this pit of lying!

I say to them and all the enemies of Iran and the Islamic Republic: This God-fearing nation relies on itself and clings to Islam and the Islamic Republic. This revolutionary and united nation is the nation of the Imam and the supporter of the caring officials of the country. Anyone in the world who confronts this nation and its officials will fall headlong to the ground.

O Lord! Crush the enemies of this nation.

O Lord! Increase Your grace and favor upon this nation day by day.

O Lord! Illuminate the hearts of this nation more and more with the light of hope.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, occupy the enemies with themselves; decree happier, sweeter, and more joyful days for this nation in the near future.

O Lord! Elevate the ranks of our dear martyrs who paved and strengthened this path for this nation day by day.

O Lord! Grant the oppressed nations and groups throughout the world Your help and victory.

O Lord! Cast the Zionists into the garbage dump of history.

O Lord! Grant the nations of Palestine, Lebanon, Bosnia, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Tajikistan, and the rest of the Muslim nations wherever they are Your grace and favor.

O Lord! Make the sacred heart of the Imam of the Age kind towards us and make him pleased and satisfied with us.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, include us in the supplication of that great one.

O Lord! Make us among his companions and soldiers.

O Lord! Forgive us and our parents and our predecessors. Make this nation more and more subject to Your grace, favor, and mercy day by day. Place the pure soul of the Imam and his son, may God's satisfaction be upon them, in the highest ranks.

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