Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly

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

We thank God for the blessing of the presence and valuable activities of the representatives of the people in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and we are pleased and happy that, thanks be to God, we are once again at your service, dear brothers and sisters, and this is an opportunity for dialogue and also to express gratitude for your efforts and actions.

What Mr. Dr. Haddad Adel - the esteemed President of the Assembly - stated regarding the performance and progress of work in the Assembly and the positive aspects is confirmed by us, and in some cases, we truly must commend you, the representatives of the people, for some of the laws and plans you have approved. If we and you take the path of piety (taqwa) and a sense of duty and responsibility in the overall direction of the work we do in life - including the tasks of our responsibilities - the Almighty God will grant us His successes; "O you who have believed, fear God and speak words of appropriate justice; He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins." If piety comes into play, the Almighty God will correct our actions and guide us; "Indeed, guidance is upon Us"; the Almighty God has taken guidance upon Himself. If we move in the path of piety, observing divine commands and prohibitions and being vigilant about our behavior, without a doubt, the Almighty God will guide us and compensate for our shortcomings - "He will forgive you your sins" - and if mistakes and errors occur unknowingly, He will forgive them and preserve our dignity. Therefore, piety is the criterion; that is, apart from the value criterion of who is higher before God - and that is piety - for ourselves, it is also important to understand what we should do, what we should not do; which actions are good, which are productive, and which are not; the criterion is piety. If we observe piety, our words and actions will also be aligned with divine guidance and assistance in the right direction. Thus, the beginning and end of all our discussions is piety.

I may have previously mentioned to you, dear brothers and sisters - if I have not, I will mention it now - that these four years, of which one year has already passed, pass like lightning. What you should take from these four years is not money that is earned, or respect and slogans that are given in your favor, or becoming famous and gaining reputation, or the name of such and such. What should primarily be our focus and effort during these four years is that when we stand before the Almighty God - which will come very soon; that is, even if you live for a hundred years, it will pass very quickly. When one looks at the passage of time, one sees that it has gone by very fast; we are oblivious to the fact that we think it takes a long time; no, it passes at lightning speed - we will have a reserve in our hands, and that is four years of service and work.

God says in the last verses of Surah Al-Hashr: "O you who have believed, fear God and let every soul look to what it has brought forth for tomorrow"; practice piety - that is, be vigilant about yourselves - and be aware that no slip, mistake, or deviation occurs; and the result of this vigilance - "and let every soul look to what it has brought forth for tomorrow" - should be that we see what we have prepared and sent ahead for tomorrow. Then He immediately says: "And fear God; indeed, God is All-Aware of what you do"; the Almighty God is All-Seer and All-Knowing. We must be vigilant about ourselves and aware of our actions; in my opinion, this is the main line and direction. If this is observed and attention is paid to it, good plans will be proposed in the Assembly; bills will be approved in a timely manner; the supervisory duty will be well performed; the condition of the people will be considered; the development of the country will be taken into account; and justice will be observed; some of it we understand ourselves, and some of it God helps us and guides and supports us. If this step is not taken from the beginning in this direction, all kinds of possibilities exist, and truly one cannot be sure of what will happen and how it will turn out. Therefore, my main message is to be vigilant that these four years will pass.

I sometimes tell the ministers and various officials of different agencies this point; I tell you as well: remove these four years of responsibility from the period that is supposed to be a source of benefit for your material future. A person may live sixty, seventy, or eighty years; throughout their life, they may think and prepare for their future - to buy this or keep that - but these few years that we are ministers, we should remove from that period. The same goes for the representation in the Assembly; remove these few years from that period. Relax your minds; do not think that you will lay the foundation for your future material life in these few years; no, dedicate these few years; the Almighty God will compensate you in return.

Once, during my youth, a situation arose, and I found myself at a significant crossroads in my personal life. For consultation, I referred to someone and said that if I want to do this, it is essentially turning away from both this world and the hereafter - that is, if I want the world, it is over there; if I want the hereafter, it is over there - that person reflected and said: You should do this other action for God; God will take your world and hereafter from there and bring it here. This statement deeply affected my heart; thus, I acted upon it.

You should dedicate these four years for God - just as one dedicates a property, land, or house - and say that we do not want to use these four years and this position for our own life and future; the Almighty God will also brighten your eyes in return; in whatever way is in your best interest. The Almighty God is generous and the most generous towards you - the most generous of the generous - you have given something in the way of God, it is impossible that He does not give you something in return.

Let me say a word about the Assembly and a word about the general political issues of the country. Regarding the Assembly, the main emphasis I have is that you should appreciate this responsibility; that is, have a correct evaluation and assessment of this responsibility. Of course, you gentlemen and ladies have this assessment; we mention it as a reminder. Your responsibility is very heavy. You are to create laws. The law is the software for managing the country; the executive bodies are like hardware. If you can provide this software intelligently, correctly, comprehensively, effectively in various aspects of life, and fill the gaps, the hardware will perform its tasks correctly. Of course, hardware sometimes needs repairs, sometimes needs lubrication, and sometimes needs to be discarded; however, a good hardware with a defective and incorrect software will yield no product. You are essentially providing the software for managing the country or a significant part of it. Of course, the supervisory duty and other duties of the Islamic Consultative Assembly are preserved in their place.

You brothers and sisters who, thanks be to God, have raised the slogan of preserving the foundations of the revolution and highlighting the words of Imam, have a double responsibility; because the people have truly come to the field and have determined the path of the country with their selection. Claimants have tried to convey that the path of Imam, the line of Imam, the revolution, Islam, and social justice have come to an end; a new era has come, and other tasks must be undertaken. The people have come and corrected the path; like a skilled switchman who comes and specifies the line so that it is clear that the path is from here. You have entered the Assembly with this attention, with this expectation, and indeed with this claim; this is a very heavy responsibility. The people's expectation is that you do not forget this responsibility. There are things that sometimes a person desires, wants to pursue, and fills their neck vein; but in the face of this responsibility, it is nothing; therefore, it must be easily set aside. Some personal feelings, some personal expectations and desires, and some group issues must be put aside for the sake of that responsibility.

Efforts should be made for the laws that pass in the Assembly to be solid and stable. Thanks be to God, the policies of Article 44, considering the aspects and observing those foundations and principles, have been communicated to the three branches; this requires laws. You, both in the specialized committees and especially in the Research Center, can truly be the designers of a stable economic system based on this, which also has its own laws; some laws may be removed, and some laws may come; but with a solid and stable structure so that we do not have to patch up the laws every day. One of the major problems is that laws are arranged in such a way with carelessness or without the necessary reference to the matters that should be referred to, that shortly after, they need to be revised, and a portion of the Assembly's time is spent on re-approving the law. It was said:

One day was spent on binding the heart to this and another day on tearing the heart from this and that.

One day we make the law correctly, one day we reject the law, or make a complete change; it should not be like this; laws should be stable and solid. In my opinion, what is important in the Assembly is the presence of the esteemed representatives at their posts. Some of the esteemed representatives told me that the Assembly's holidays are too many; regarding this matter, I cannot express an opinion; this should be examined by the esteemed presiding board; however, in the part that is not a holiday and is work time, presence must be disciplined, on time, and with attention to minutes and seconds; both inside the Assembly hall and in the committees. The work of the specialized committees is also very important. Being present in the committees, arriving on time in the committees, working, truly studying, pre-studying, reviewing bills, evaluating plans, consulting with those who need to be consulted, and even discussing within the Assembly before reaching the decision-making stage - whether in the committee or in the Assembly hall - is necessary.

Spending time for the Assembly is very important. Here, I would like to mention a point regarding travels. Of course, I do not have a very accurate report on the matter; however, the direction should be to reduce foreign travels. Of course, domestic travels, especially those related to the electoral district, are another matter; but excessive desire for travel is not desirable and commendable; be careful that the Assembly does not get caught in such traps; it will create problems for you.

The positions that the Assembly has taken regarding foreign policy and the issue of nuclear energy and similar matters have been very appropriate, timely, effective, and good; because the Assembly is a symbol of the people's opinions. The resolutions that were mentioned were good. Last year, I also mentioned in such a session that the relationship with the executive bodies should be logical, legal, and humane. One should neither frown and quarrel nor base it on aggression and finding excuses and harassing; nor should one become overly familiar and engage in favoritism and exchanges; one must be completely vigilant to seek the middle line and the straight path and act accordingly; in this case, things will go well.

The contaminated channels of communication with the executive bodies always exist, and the higher executive officials may not become aware of them. In this context, there are hands that seek to create unhealthy relationships; you must be very vigilant. Both the esteemed presiding board of the Assembly and the heads of the committees, as well as you representatives, must act according to this divine guideline; "And advise one another in truth and advise one another in patience." Representatives must truly advise and support one another. Speaking and advising is very important.

The Research Center of the Assembly is also an important place; the maximum use should be made of the elites and their thoughts and opinions here. We hope, God willing, that with adherence to ethics and order and discipline, all matters will proceed in the best way and the future will be better than the past; "And the Hereafter is better for you than the first."

Regarding the general political issues of the country, let me say a few words. You are, thanks be to God, political elements and vigilant. With cohesion and unity of word and empathy, the country gains dignity and majesty in foreign policy and global issues; and in implementing the necessary regulations and policies domestically, it gains power. Therefore, cohesion, unity, empathy, and mutual understanding are very important. Certainly, as you, as the officials of the country and the system, are obliged to constantly consider the overall engineering of the country - because without a grand engineering, it is not possible to arrange the details; you must first have the plan in mind, know the map, and have done the correct engineering so that you can raise this wall here, place that brick there, and dig that pit there - your enemy also has a comprehensive view and grand engineering of your country and system. This engineering has components. Undoubtedly, the enemy's trust and encouragement rely on internal elements. There is no country - including our country - that does not have elements within that are not aligned with the ruling system; they exist everywhere; they have been present in our country since the beginning of the revolution; they vary in quantity and visibility; however, the essence has always been there and will continue to be. Some people are not well-disposed towards our system. The enemy's hope is pinned on those who are inside; however, for recruitment and enlistment, the enemy has various methods. It is not the case that all those who assist the enemy are those who have recognized the enemy's overall plan and grand engineering regarding the system and knowingly and intentionally assist him; no, there are also those who, if told that they are helping the enemy, would be ready to tear their own and your collar and say, what is this talk! They are truly opposed to and dislike the enemy. If you keep the grand engineering of the system in mind, this will be avoided. Anyone who is aware and vigilant about themselves and their behavior will avoid unknowingly and unwittingly assisting the enemy. When the letters of a word or sentence are placed in a table, an expression must be formed. Some do not realize that the word they are placing in this house is a complement to that expression. Arrangements are made, and they come and place this word in this house - "And they think that they are doing well" - and they also provide reasoning and justification for it; however, they do not realize that this word brings that fifteen-letter word closer to realization; just like a puzzle where the places are determined, and it is clear which piece should be placed where. Unknowingly, they want me to place this piece here; I think there is no problem; unaware that when this part is combined with the other ninety parts, that shape will appear, and I have been a contributor to its formation! Some act this way. For example, if the enemy wants to design for the realization of its grand wish - which is to uproot the Islamic Republic and lower the flag of Islam from the peak of this country - it naturally has a design, components, and prerequisites. Creating discord, instilling disbelief, creating problems for the people, deepening class divides, promoting corruption, and discrediting the people towards officials and disciplinary bodies - such as discrediting the judiciary, discrediting the Guardian Council, discrediting the Assembly, discrediting various bodies - all are part of these components. Some help this section without considering its connection with others; this is due to a lack of insight.

We have repeatedly stated that Amir al-Mu'minin in the Battle of Siffin - perhaps he said this sentence about Ammar as well - repeatedly stated this sentence: "And this knowledge is not carried except by the people of insight and patience." What a beautiful phrase it is; the letters of insight and patience are the same, its combination is two; and how beautiful! Only the people of insight and perseverance can carry this flag. We must strengthen our insight within ourselves. If this meaning is achieved and you, as representatives of the people in the Islamic Consultative Assembly - which has an important position in enlightening the people regarding the enemy's plans - can have an impact, many of these gaps and darknesses and dust will be removed.

One practical issue is that within the Assembly and regarding political matters - and now also the presidential elections - there should be no discord, tension, quarrels, or conflicts; some support one person, and some support another. Supporting is everyone's right; however, it should not lead to destruction, insult, or provocation. Sometimes a person defends their beloved and desired one in such a way that it provokes others; it forces others to destroy and react. These are important matters and must be observed. Of course, one cannot expect much from individuals who are at other levels and do not bear all this responsibility; but from the officials, yes.

In any case, maintaining a space of unity, maintaining a space of love, maintaining a space of cooperation and empathy in the Assembly is among the definite priorities of the Assembly.

Fortunately, your Assembly is not a source of tension in society; this is a very great blessing. Truly, one of the places where we must commend you is right here. In some periods, it was such that when one turned on the Assembly's radio, it seemed as if quarrels were spilling out of that loudspeaker! Quarrels and tensions and nerve wars would overflow and spill into society. Your Assembly, thanks be to God, is not like this; and under no circumstances should you allow it to become so. Someone is speaking, but according to your opinion, it is not; very well, listen until they finish their speech; then, if it is appropriate for that speech to be responded to, you too should respond to them in a lawful opportunity and in a proper manner. Speaking over each other, creating a commotion and uproar is not appropriate. Unfortunately, some have established this custom in the Assembly; you should eliminate this custom and root it out. You must practically maintain calmness in the face of provocative remarks that may occasionally reach your ears. Preserve and enhance the atmosphere of dignity and decorum of the Assembly, which, thanks be to God, has been maintained until today, and do not allow it to be tarnished.

In any case, one must seek help from the Almighty God. One must ask for guidance, assistance, and support from the Almighty God; we too are praying for our dear brothers and sisters.

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