Statements of the Supreme Leader in a meeting with officials of the Judiciary and families of the martyrs of the Seventh of Tir

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

I welcome you, esteemed attendees; dear officials of the Judiciary and the honorable families of the great martyrs of the Seventh of Tir.

I would like to say a word about the Seventh of Tir. The most important thing that captured the hearts and eyes of all during this incident was that the more severe the hostile blows of the enemy against the body of the revolution, the more the faith and steadfastness of the people would surge. Seventy-some prominent managers, among them a figure like martyr Beheshti, were taken from the Islamic system by the enemy all at once; and that too in a tragic and sorrowful manner. What was the reaction of this revolution and this nation? The people, with their faith and steadfastness, and those honorable families with their patient and faithful endurance, were able to respond to the enemy in a way that could not be accounted for in material calculations and in any situation. They insured the revolution, rejected the enemy, and elevated the name of the Iranian nation. This is always the case. As long as the faith, patience, vigilance, and endurance of the people remain a valuable reserve for this revolution and this system, the enemy will not succeed in inflicting blows on this system and this revolution, and the revolution will become more solid. Our great martyr - the late Ayatollah Beheshti - was an exemplary and distinguished figure in the Islamic system who was taken from us in this incident; however, both his memory and the blood of him and his companions sustained the revolution, and this great lesson remained for the revolution.

This week has been aptly named after the Judiciary; because the new judicial organization and the new Islamic judicial system were able to be established and take shape through the thought, innovation, and diligence of the martyr Beheshti. Of course, had he remained alive, the movement of this system towards perfection, rectifying flaws, and attracting strengthening and preferential aspects would have progressed more rapidly. After him, commendable efforts have been made, which, God willing, the Almighty God will accept the efforts of those who have worked hard and strived in this path over the recent years - at every level of the Judiciary, whether at the management level or other levels.

What is at stake for us today is that the Judiciary has a unique and distinguished role and position in our country. As Mr. Hashemi Shahroudi stated, the Judiciary is a pillar, and with its integrity, steadfastness, and righteousness, all flaws in the executive apparatus and in various management and organization sectors of the country will gradually be eliminated. The role of the Judiciary is foreseen in this way in the Constitution.

The oversight of the Judiciary; prevention of crime, ensuring justice, ensuring security. These are very significant pillars that are considered among the important headings of the proper administration of the country in the Islamic system. The Judiciary can be a manifestation of justice in the Islamic system. The Judiciary, with firmness, authority, and timely and correct decision-making, can prevent the emergence and growth of crimes and the expansion of wrongdoing in various apparatuses; it can prevent oppression against the oppressed and the underprivileged; it can prevent the show of force by those who are armed with wealth and power.

The scourge of human societies is that some, with money, with backing, with tribes and clans - whether in the traditional sense or in the modern sense; that is, through party politics and group politics - disregard public rights; they violate the rights of the people; they monopolize opportunities for themselves and obstruct justice. A powerful, firm, intelligent, and knowledgeable Judiciary can prevent these.

I thank God that, thanks be to God, after this Judiciary was established by a knowledgeable and insightful scholar, it is now also managed by a knowledgeable, insightful, aware, and innovative scholar. What makes me sincerely grateful to the Almighty God is that, thanks be to God, today he possesses knowledge and a scholarly perspective on issues, relying on extensive jurisprudential knowledge, inclined to employ new and scientific methods for advancing matters, in addition to having a broad view of the issues of the Judiciary - which is very important, as we should see the Judiciary as a pillar and a main element in the entire system and consider its impact on the overall management of the system - and also with courage and decisiveness, he manages the Judiciary, and I observe the effects of this timely and blessed appointment in less than a year.

Of course, this does not mean that we see today what we expect in Islamic jurisprudence in the Judiciary; no, our expectations are high. Of course, my demands as a humble cleric who feels a heavy responsibility before every ruling, every action, and every movement of yours before the Almighty God should not be confused with the demands of political factions and groups and similar entities; political factions pursue their own agendas. Some political factions seek to strip the Judiciary of its authority and firmness so that this Judiciary cannot take action. Some are trying to intimidate the officials of the Judiciary to align with them. If they create uproar and criticism, one sees fewer signs of goodwill in those uproars and criticisms. Of course, this heavy responsibility, this great work, and this divine mission that rests on the shoulders of the officials of the Judiciary should also create readiness in them for such oppositions, uproar, and expressions of expectations. This is not contrary to expectation. After all, some individuals are afflicted with personal grudges and jealousy; some pursue political objectives and do things with political methods, making statements and mixing unfounded criticisms with some occasionally valid criticisms. Therefore, those demands are separate. What I, as a responsible cleric, expect from the Judiciary is the same beautiful and radiant face that we observe in the judgment of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) in history: that decisive justice, that unyielding justice, that comprehensive justice, that hopeful justice, that justice in which the weak and ordinary individuals of society stand equal before the law and legal transactions with the powerful and influential individuals. This is how it is in Islam; it is also so in our Constitution.

In the Constitution, the leadership, the President, the head of the Judiciary, and other officials of the country have no difference before the laws with the general public. No one is above the law. The Constitution grants powers to certain individuals. The Constitution tells the judge to convict or acquit; to issue a judicial ruling. It also tells the leader to pardon, considering these aspects. This is not acting above the law; this is the text and essence of the law. The law is the same for everyone. For those who open knots, pave ways, and solve problems, there are responsibilities. Where the law is concerned, everyone is equal. This is a very important matter in Islam. Others also claim this, but Islam has demonstrated it in practice. We are pursuing that; we have this beautiful image in our minds.

I once told the dear brothers of the Judiciary that the dignity of the Judiciary is such that in every corner of this country, if someone is oppressed, there should be a light of hope in their heart that they can refer to the judicial system and have their rights restored. The day we reach this point is the day Islamic justice has been realized. Everyone should feel that without any consideration, the restoration of rights and the annulment of falsehood will take place. The first condition is the firmness, independence of the Judiciary, the independence of the judge, the non-influence of political currents, and the non-interference of other apparatuses in the Judiciary. Thanks be to God, today this meaning is secured, and we observe that the esteemed head of the Judiciary, with awareness of jurisprudence and religious concepts and with a scholarly perspective, addresses the issues of the Judiciary.

The Islamic judicial system is one of the most efficient systems. We do not need to borrow anything for judicial materials or necessary laws for managing the judicial system or the manner of executing justice from any system, any country, or any other civilization. Everything is foreseen in Islam. Laws must be formulated and prepared according to Islamic regulations and must confront crime in every form.

It is wrong that if a criminal is affiliated with a political group, one must yield to them; and this is based on the unconvincing argument that if their criminality is emphasized by the Judiciary, there will be uproar! The Holy Quran states, "And if they have the right, they come to it submissively"; if the judgment made is contrary to their interests, they create uproar; but if it aligns with their desires and opinions, then they accept it. Then it says, "Is there a disease in their hearts?" This is the judgment of the Quran. The judicial system must be trusted by the general public, not that its competence, authority, and firmness are undermined. Of course, to reach this point, effort, persistence, continuous work along with courage and reliance on God is necessary, which, thanks be to God, one observes signs of.

The Judiciary does not suffer from a shortage of capable elements within itself for its administration. Thanks be to God, in the Judiciary - especially in these past twenty years - there are faithful, healthy, efficient, energetic, and young elements; enough to manage this Judiciary well and to be effective hands, arms, and fingers for the management of the Judiciary and to organize the work. God willing, the young, faithful, enthusiastic, and committed elements to Islam should be utilized.

I am hopeful for the future of the Judiciary. Of course, I constantly ask the Almighty God to grant patience and strength to the esteemed head of the Judiciary, high-ranking officials, esteemed judges, and officials of various sections who bear heavy burdens, and some of them are sometimes subjected to unjust and unfair attacks in the media, so that they can carry this heavy burden and please God with their actions.

The essence of the matter is that we can attain God's pleasure. If we pursue God's pleasure, then the interests of the people, the good of the people, and the execution of justice will easily be attainable for us. If we do not seek God's pleasure - if we seek the pleasure of this and that - then the work will become disordered, and the organization of affairs will not be achieved.

We hope that, God willing, the pure supplications of the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him, will encompass all of you, and that you will be included in divine assistance and support, and that God's success will be upon you, and day by day, God willing, we will witness progress and improvement in everything in the judicial system. Through this, God willing, many problems and corruptions will be rectified.

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