Statements of the Supreme Leader at the Morning Ceremony of the Seyyed al-Shohada Brigade

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

Today, as I am among you, the valiant youth of the Islamic Revolution, is a sweet and memorable day for me, and God willing, it will be a lasting memory. We take pride in young people like you and in a collection like this proud brigade. I have been familiar with this brigade since the time it operated as a battalion and also since its organization was transformed into a brigade. Many years have passed since then, and all these years have been filled with honors and pride for this brigade.

Thanks be to God that the faithful and revolutionary youth of this country, in brigades like this, have become a proof for many skeptics who thought that in an era tainted by corruption and burdened with material troubles—where the youth of the world are afflicted by hundreds of spiritual, physical, emotional, and nervous trials and various corruptions—it would not be possible for a young person or a group of young people to tread a path that could serve as a model for others and from which non-youth could take inspiration and lessons. Thanks be to God, our youth and those like you, in these proud and radiant brigades, have proven that just as God's religion is always alive, the essence of humanity, which is the great creation of God, is also always alive, and in various conditions, pure, radiant, and distinguished human beings can be nurtured and lead others to this path and become a proof for others.

There was a period, the period of war and the sacred defense, and the motivations for the presence of youth in the fields of Quds, piety, sacrifice, and selflessness were clearly and evidently available to all. The sacred flame of martyrdom, sacrifice, and jihad illuminated this atmosphere so much that all the dark clouds of sedition—hypocrisies, disbeliefs, and corruptions—were overshadowed. It is not that these byproducts of the noble human existence did not exist during the sacred defense in our country. They existed but were overshadowed; overshadowed by that brilliant light that shone from the pure souls of the faithful in the fields of sacrifice and martyrdom, illuminating you and benefiting everyone. Our Imam, who was the Imam of light, the Imam of purity, the Imam of Quds and piety, the Imam of spirit—pure spirit—benefited from this radiance, and he repeatedly stated this. That day, a unique piece—unparalleled in many respects—was ruling over our history.

Some imagined that with the end of the war, the glowing candle of spirituality would also die in hearts and be extinguished. This was a mistake. Some of our pure and faithful youth mourned on the very day they heard about the end of the war, thinking that the doors of martyrdom and spirituality had closed and that we remained confined. Of course, "Indeed, jihad is one of the doors of paradise"; there is no doubt about it; however, firstly, the paradise of divine purity has multiple doors, and secondly, jihad in the battlefield—in the fervor of sacrifices and selflessness—is one of the methods of jihad.

The great Prophet of Islam, who was the teacher of humanity from the first to the last, and whose wisdom was utilized by angels, and whose blessed heart was the highest place of divine revelation, said to the youth of his time who had returned from war: "Welcome to those who have completed the lesser jihad and now face the greater jihad"; you have passed the lesser jihad, now it is time for the greater jihad; the jihad against the self, the jihad in dark fields, not in clear fields. In war, the field is clear. The enemy is on that side, the ally is on this side. The enemy is known; the ally is also known. The enemy's tools are clear; the enemy's plans can be guessed. The easiest war with the enemy is there. Do not say that life is at risk there. In all jihads, life is at risk. Moreover, life is not always the most precious thing that a person gives. There are people who one day ardently wish for death. There are sacrifices that are greater than the sacrifice of life. There are efforts that are greater than the effort of giving life. The Prophet said, "Now it is time for the greater jihad." And the greater jihad in the time of the Prophet was a very difficult jihad.

In another meeting I have with you today, I will discuss how difficult the greater jihad seemed in the time of the Prophet; because the clouds of sedition were unknown. But today, it is not like that. Today, in our time, the clouds of sedition are known, and jihad has continued like a flowing spring.

My dear ones! Some people shy away from the name of jihad! They think that establishing a country, creating a civilization, organizing life, advancing in material and spiritual life, and legitimate welfare for humans cannot be built with jihad and that jihad is against these! What a mistake! What a fallacy! Without jihad, nothing can be achieved by humans; neither in this world nor in the hereafter. Without jihad, one cannot stand against the helpless wolf of the desert; let alone the very dangerous wolves of the world of politics and the world of economics and the bloody claws that have torn apart and destroyed millions of humans!

Can a nation raise its head without jihad? Can a nation taste dignity without jihad? Can a nation find a status and position among the nations of the world without jihad? "Indeed, jihad is one of the doors of paradise." It is always like this, and jihad is a door from the doors of paradise. Both the divine paradise; that is, the paradise of the hereafter, and comfort in this world; that is, jihad. In all countries and among all nations, it is the same that if jihad is to take on its true meaning, there must be exemplary beings and symbolic humans present; without symbols and without models, it cannot happen. Many youths, like an endless army of God, come into existence from the realm of non-being and enter the scene of society. In some countries—like the current situation in our country—more, and in some countries less. Just by books, one cannot tell them to strive in the path of honor and in the path of great human aspirations and in the path of lofty goals and in a comprehensive and correct word, to strive for God. In addition to speaking, they need examples and models. The pride of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard is that it has many and infinite models within itself; these commanders, these leaders, these various elements, these pure and radiant youths; those whom the Imam of light wished to be one of them; those who, during the war, wherever and in any house their spiritual fragrance and words went, that house was spiritually bright and prosperous; those whom the Imam considered their emergence as the "opening of openings" of the Islamic Revolution.

In the early days of Islam, the opening of openings was a military event. Muslims were delayed for a period in an area of the eastern battlefield of that day and the western part of today's Iran until they could capture a few fortresses. When they captured them, they said this is the "opening of openings." Today, in history, the openings of "Nahavand" and "Jalula" are called the "opening of openings"; that is, a military event. Our Imam said that the opening of openings of the Islamic Revolution is not a military event but a human event; that is, the emergence of these youths, the creation of these radiant humans, the emergence of angels from a world where nothing but the devil could be seen in various youthful regions. Today, to some extent, radiant manifestations are reappearing in corners of the world. The opening of openings was these youths; these martyrs who created this brigade; this martyr "Ali Fazli"; this martyr "Nasih"; these faithful youths and these radiants whose radiance can illuminate hearts. They are the source of honor; they are the source of dignity. For a country, having them is a pride; carrying their name is a pride; repeating their memory is a pride; continuing their path is a pride.

It is a mistake if someone thinks that the names of war, Shalamcheh, sacrifice, soldier, army, and commander should not be mentioned; lest the situation we want to create in society be disrupted! No; this is a mistake. The desired situation, the good situation, the lofty foundation, the flag of dignity, the powerful government, the proud nation, and the clear path will occur when the concept of "jihad" is embodied in pure, noble, and refined humans and exists in society, and it exists in our society.

Dear youths! Radiant dear ones! We thank God that the government appreciates you; the nation appreciates you; the officials of the country appreciate you; the President appreciates you; the Parliament appreciates you. We thank God that the flag of dignity, jihad, and sacrifice that has been raised by your hands in this country is still in the hands of the youth; the faithful youths, the pure and radiant youths in various fields. If the spirit of jihad and resistance against the enmity of the enemy exists, this youth, wherever he is—in the barracks, in the university, in the seminary, in the market, in the factory, in various environments—"is a warrior in the path of God"; a guardian of values and a guardian of religion, and this today, thanks be to God, exists. Appreciate this.

Although many of you have touched the battlefields and were present in them; however, some of you who were not present can still feel it today with their existence. Today, there is still an enemy. Today, the enemy is still lurking. Today, if the enemy concludes that imposing another war could harm the nation and the revolution of Iran, it will impose that war. Today, if the enemy can harm this flag that the Islamic Iran and the Iranian nation have raised and have given identity to the Muslims of the world—who today feel the signs of dignity that the Islamic Iran has created and the shining dawn it has illuminated in Africa, Turkey, Europe, Asia, and everywhere—it will harm it. Do not think that the enemy has retreated. The enemy plans for twenty years, thirty years, forty years, fifty years ahead; because the enemy is not a single person; the enemy is a camp. The camp of Islam is also a camp. The camp of Islam also prepares for ten years, twenty years, fifty years, a hundred years.

Yes; it is not only this enemy that sees fifty years ahead; we see a hundred years ahead, and by the grace of the Lord, you will see that "their plots are in vain"; "Indeed, the plot of Satan is weak." You will see that they make mistakes. You will see that they will once again receive a slap in the face. You will see that the nose of global arrogance will be rubbed in the dust. Nations will see this and will witness the interpretation and example of the blessed verse "Have you not seen how Allah sets forth the example of a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches are in the sky, yielding its fruit at all times by permission of its Lord? And Allah sets forth examples for the people". God gives these examples so that we understand correctly.

You youths, first, appreciate yourselves. Secondly, appreciate the military uniform, the uniform of the guards, and the uniform of the Basij. Thirdly, appreciate these rules and regulations that can preserve you in the necessary bases and measures, and fully observe them. Appreciate your possessions of weapons, equipment, facilities, machinery, tools, and instruments, and maintain them, repair them, and strive to preserve them. Appreciate that faith that is within you—and is the backing of all these—and preserve it.

My dear ones! Some of the spiritual assets, with all their value, need to be preserved. For example, love must be preserved; it is like a plant that if you do not attend to it, it will be lost. Faith is of this kind. You must preserve faith. Preserving faith is through good behavior, through good contemplation and reflection, through attention to God, through maintaining and strengthening the connection with God. Preserving this gem is through enjoining one another to truth and enjoining one another to patience. Both of you should recommend each other to truth and patience. Patience means steadfastness and resilience.

May the sacred existence of the Awaited One (may our souls be sacrificed for him) support you. May the pure spirit of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) be pleased with you. May the pure souls of the dear martyrs, God willing, be pleased with you. O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, do not make the fate of those who appreciate martyrdom and recognize it anything but martyrdom. O Lord! Do not divert Your pleasure from us for a moment. O Lord! Do not distance Your guidance from us for a moment.

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