Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with System Officials

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, especially the Awaited One on earth. God, the Wise, says in His Book: "O you who have believed, obey God and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds."

This is a very important and rare meeting. The top officials of the Islamic Republic, including representatives, government members, and senior managers, are all present here. The essence of this meeting is based on the sincerity, empathy, and camaraderie of the country's officials with one another. Today, Mr. Khatami expressed very good points, and we will also present some remarks. The essence is that we should make the utmost use of the atmosphere of the month of Ramadan and the connection of hearts with one another, thanks to the spirituality of Ramadan, and draw strength for continuing our movement with determination, will, and awareness.

To benefit from the blessed month, I would like to present this hadith and speak briefly about it. A valid and authentic hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) states: "Fasting is a shield from the fire". This same meaning has been narrated in various words from the Sunni sources; among them is this phrase: "Fasting is the shield of the believing servant on the Day of Resurrection, just as one of you defends himself with his weapon in this world". Just as you defend yourself in this world with your weapon and means of defense, in the Hereafter, you defend yourself against the assault of the fire of Hell through fasting.

What is the characteristic of fasting that it is described as a "shield from the fire"? The characteristic of fasting is self-restraint. Fasting is the manifestation of self-restraint; "and he restrains the soul from desires". The manifestation of patience against sin and the dominance of desires is fasting. Therefore, in the narrations, patience is referred to as fasting in the context of the noble verse "And seek help through patience and prayer". Fasting is the manifestation of transcending desires. Although the time of fasting is limited - a few hours a day, and that too for a few days in the year - it symbolically represents a fundamental movement for a person. Why? Because the desires and cravings of the soul are the very path that leads a person to sin. It is not the case that the cravings of the soul are inseparable from sin; no, some of the cravings of the soul are permissible. However, for a person to loosen the reins of the soul, to let the soul run wild and become a captive of its cravings, is what Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) stated in Nahj al-Balagha: "He has been thrown onto a wild horse whose reins are not in this person's hands, and the wild horse takes him to the precipice and throws him down." The desires of the soul lead a person toward sins.

Sins are the material forms of divine punishment; the worldly forms of divine punishment are these very sins. The meaning of the noble verse that states: "Indeed, those who consume the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming fire into their bellies" is this; when you look at someone who eats the property of an orphan, the apparent matter is that he has swallowed wealth and filled his pocket with what is unlawful; however, the essence of the matter is that he is preparing fire within himself; this is the very fire of Hell. Someone who tests an unlawful pleasure here, this pleasure is the apparent matter; the essence of the matter becomes clear in that true life; the place where the veils of illusions fall from before a person's eyes and the truths become apparent before him; "There, every soul will be informed of what it has brought." That day, the pleasure of this worldly life is a punishment and torment of Hell. That day is the day when realities and truths reveal themselves - "There, every soul will be informed of what it has brought" - and what a person has done, the truths and essences and qualities of that will become apparent there. Our spirit, our qualities, and our existential truths will also show themselves there. Rumi says:

"O you who have torn the skin of Joseph, rise from this heavy sleep. The ferocious claw that tears Josephs here and tramples the oppressed underfoot is a wolf; it is not human. This essence reveals itself and becomes apparent there. We must not forget the Day of Resurrection; the Resurrection is a great event. We must always keep the remembrance of the Resurrection in our minds and fear the Resurrection.

The noble verse about the Resurrection states: "Those who do not believe in it hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it and know that it is the truth." The disbelievers of Quraysh said to the Prophet, "Where is the Resurrection and the Hell that you threaten us with?" The Quran states: "And those who believe are fearful of it"; those who have faith are afraid of the Resurrection. The Resurrection is truly like this. One must be fearful of the Resurrection; one must not forget the Resurrection; this is the guarantee of our preservation. The Resurrection is the day of being presented before God; "And they will be presented before your Lord in rows." A person will be revealed with his truth, with the essence of his heart, with the established qualities of his soul, before the Almighty God. Here, the Almighty God sees our essence, but there, no veil exists; we ourselves understand and see; we ourselves condemn ourselves. The Day of Judgment is the day of accountability; accountability in the true sense of the word; accountability without the possibility of unnecessary excuses; a person cannot bring false and baseless excuses. A person is before the Almighty God; He takes hold of a person's collar. The Resurrection is the day of unrelenting reckoning; all of us will be reckoned. The Resurrection is the day when the tongue is sealed. The games of the tongue that can be played here are no longer there; "This is a day when they will not speak, nor will they be permitted to make excuses." The tongue is sealed; then the essence and qualities and limbs of a person will speak. If in our hearts we have malice, envy, suspicion, ill-will, various heart diseases, animosity towards the righteous, and hidden desires for sins, all will be revealed there. The Resurrection is a strange event; "Today We will seal their mouths and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify to what they used to earn."

The verses related to the Resurrection are very shocking. I suggest that each of us review the verses about the Resurrection individually; because we need them. This is not something that a person can record and provide statistics on. There are hundreds of verses in the Quran about the Resurrection; there are both glad tidings of the Resurrection and threats; both are shocking. The glad tidings of the Quran are also shocking, attractive, and inspiring; the threats of the Quran are shocking and melt the heart. "They will be shown the day when the criminal wishes he could ransom himself from the punishment of that day with his children and his wife and his brother and his clan that sheltered him, and all of the earth, then it would save him"; the criminal, from the severity of divine punishment, wishes he could sacrifice his own child to be saved; his loved ones and all the people on earth to be sacrificed to be saved; but he cannot. Divine punishment is no joke; "Indeed, it is a blazing fire, stripping away the skin, calling to the one who turned away and fled, and gathered and hoarded."

Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) describes the fear of the Resurrection in the supplication of Abu Hamzeh - which is a very heartfelt and beautiful supplication -: "I cry for my emergence from my grave, naked and humiliated, carrying my burden on my back"; today I weep for the time when I will emerge naked and humiliated, with the heavy burden of my deeds on my back. "Look once to my right and once to my left, while the creatures are in affairs other than my own; for every person on that day has a matter that preoccupies him. The faces on that day will be radiant, joyful, and cheerful"; who are these people? They are those who, in this world, were able to pass over the bridge of Sirat, whose truth and essence are there, and whose example is here. This bridge of Sirat is the bridge of servitude, the bridge of piety, and the bridge of God-consciousness; "And worship Me; this is a straight path"; the path of this world is the path over Hell. "Indeed, you are on a straight path" that is said to the Prophet, or "And worship Me; this is a straight path", is the path over Hell. If we can pass over this Sirat correctly, carefully, and without slipping, crossing that Sirat will be the easiest task; like the believers who pass like lightning. "Indeed, those for whom We have decreed good will be kept far from it; they will not hear its sound"; they will not even hear the murmurs of Hell; "and they will be in what their souls desire, abiding eternally. The greatest terror will not grieve them." The greatest terror means the most difficult fear that may come upon a person. The believers, with their physical, spiritual, and psychological dimensions, the great terror that is there, "will not grieve them"; they have passed over this Sirat.

Dear brothers and sisters! This Sirat is very sensitive for you and me. We are responsible. We are different from ordinary people in the streets and markets. Whether we are members of parliament, members of the government, military officials, or judicial officials, just the fact that you gentlemen and ladies are officials in various sectors makes our work difficult. If we make mistakes and slip, the harm does not only reach us; it reaches a wide community. If we are negligent and fall short, the country suffers. If, God forbid, we follow our desires in decision-making, follow favoritism and disregard true values, the country will be harmed. Our work is difficult. We must think more about Hell and crossing this difficult Sirat than others. These few years of responsibility are not eternal. Whether you are a member of parliament, a government member, a minister, or a manager; these three years, four years, five years, or ten years will pass. If during these few years you can hold your tongue and not pursue illicit earnings, not pursue rent-seeking, not exploit state resources, and not infringe upon public property - this is not very difficult - then "Indeed, those for whom We have decreed good will be kept far from it." "This is your day that you were promised"; the angels of God come to the righteous and believers and say, "This is your day; the day that the prophets throughout history have promised and heralded to the believers." Enjoy; "Enter Paradise." We must be more vigilant than others and fear Hell more than others. The fire of Hell threatens those who have multiplied responsibilities more than ordinary people who are just themselves and bear their own limited and small responsibilities. Our situation is more difficult.

Another point I would like to add here is the issue of our children. Take care of your children; "Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones." We have no right to abandon our children. Your effort should be to preserve their faith. Do not do anything that would shake the faith of your young ones, whether your son or daughter - if they are students, if they are merchants, or if they are engaged in other work - in your principles. Sometimes a person, with uncontrolled hands and tongue and through his wrong actions, does something that distances his young one from religion and religious principles and beliefs; he makes them indifferent. We have had such people; it can happen from both sides. Sometimes, with undue strictness - which I do not recommend at all - and sometimes with harsh and bitter behavior, some drive their children away; others, on the other hand, with negligence and carelessness and providing unlimited resources to their children and overlooking their wrongdoings, drive their children away; as a result, the child becomes corrupt and ruined. One must deal with children with logic and correct and kind behavior. "Protect yourselves and your families"; you must preserve your young ones and your spouse; this is among your duties. This has a compounding effect; that is, when in a family, a young person or a family member, God forbid, has a weakness; like a black spot on a tooth, and the enamel of the tooth deteriorates at that point, gradually it affects the minds of their audience and their parents, and it has reciprocal compounding effects; as a result, that truth and spirituality are lost.

This noble verse has always been interesting to me: "Those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith, We will join their descendants with them, and We will not deprive them of anything from their deeds"; those who have been able to preserve the faith of their descendants - even if the deeds of the descendants are not so prominent - We will join their descendants with them in high spiritual ranks. In the narration, it states: "So that their eyes may be delighted"; if you are a believer and can raise your child to be a believer, the Almighty God will compensate for the shortcomings of this child in the Hereafter, in Paradise, and in the difficult arenas that lie before you, and He will bring him to you so that your eyes and hearts may be delighted. God values a believer greatly.

The main points we discussed were these. If you and I want to walk the right path and benefit this country with our existence, the way is as we mentioned: we must think about our hearts, about our Resurrection, about our tomorrow, and about God's reckoning of ourselves, and in this regard, we must not be lenient with ourselves.

Now, I would like to mention two or three points regarding the current issues of the country. There are various small and large events regarding internal and external issues, oppositions, nuclear energy, and other matters. If we pay attention to where we stand and in what situation we are, all these questions will be answered; why these events occur and what the motivation and goal is? The issue is that the Iranian nation has broken the ceiling of culture and politics in the world with its revolution and has introduced a new plan. On the day when the world was bipolar and two superpowers were in fierce opposition to each other, they colluded against this new plan. Thus, it becomes clear that the new plan of the Iranian nation, which it brought forth with the Islamic Revolution, was something that targeted and threatened the common direction of the two superpowers. What is that common direction? Power-seeking and domination. Yes, we have faced the system of domination. The system of domination means that there exists a power empire in the world, composed of various parties. In contrast to them, there are the wealth resources belonging to nations. The relationship between these two poles is one of domination; the dominator and the dominated. The dominator exerts domination; nations whose land, water, oil, resources, or strategic positions are needed by that center of power must be submissive and present what it requires to secure its interests. If these countries present their resources and wealth, well and good; like many so-called third-world countries; that is, underdeveloped countries. Governments were in power and handed over the interests of their nations willingly; like our own country during the tyrannical regime; they were obedient and submissive. Being submissive did not mean that they listened to them in all matters; no, in some matters, they had disagreements, but they fulfilled their requests. They would say, "This oil contract should be like this," and they would accept; "Decide this way in OPEC," and they would say, "Yes"; "Act this way regarding Israel and Zionism," and they would say, "Yes"; "Act this way regarding the countries of the region," and they would say, "Yes"; "Your position in the United Nations should be like this," and they would say, "Yes"; then gradually they would enter the internal affairs of the countries and say, "Appoint that kind of government," "Implement these policies," "Make such changes in the country," and they would say, "Yes."

Another type of submission is that sometimes a government rises against one of their interests, but they crush it and remove it; and that government, which has no popular backing - because these dominators have kept it in power - easily disappears; as a result, they bring another one to power, examples of which we have seen in countries, and I do not want to name these countries now; perhaps you are also aware. Among neighboring countries, we have not lacked such cases; one has been taken away, another has been brought in. This is the system of domination in the world. Those who are trampled in the system of domination are the nations; their interests, identity, personality, values, and culture are destroyed. Day by day, the system of domination has been strengthened; that is, since colonialism emerged due to the easy connections of the world with one another and the advancement of science, the system of domination has also emerged. The more colonialism has advanced, the more the system of domination has strengthened. With new facilities and rapid and extraordinary communication tools, military, financial, and propaganda capabilities, the system of domination has driven its stakes deeper into the lands where nations and people live, and humans have been condemned to submission and subjugation. Our system has come to cut this circuit; it says it cannot be done. Although communism also existed in the world, the circuit of domination existed and the world was divided; of course, not willingly; it was a division out of necessity; one part was in the hands of this, and one part was in the hands of that. Therefore, the circuit of domination existed there as well. The same Soviet Union that claimed socialism and communism and social justice committed enormous atrocities in Eastern Europe, which some of you may remember - those of us who remember - some may have read in books and writings. Poland was one way, Hungary another, Czechoslovakia another. Blood was shed, people were killed, tanks were sent; the same actions that the Americans are currently carrying out in Iraq; the same actions that the Americans did a while ago in Afghanistan. Domination is domination. Therefore, the circuit of domineering movement and reliant on domination and centered on domination existed. The Islamic Iran has come to cut this circuit; it says we do not accept it. This plan has not gone unanswered in the world. Nations have become very attached to this plan. Anyone who looks can clearly see signs of this in the Islamic world; one example is Palestine. Palestine was under occupation for decades without the Palestinian nation showing any resistance; but you see where the Palestinian nation has reached and how they have stood firm against all this pressure. You see the statements of some of the countries around us regarding their inclination towards the people and their inclination towards Islam and their inclination towards popular directions; this is because of this. You see the steadfastness of the Iraqi people. These Iraqis are the same ones who, for many years, under the pressure of the British government and then the leftist elements, did not move; this is the wave of Islamic awakening that has awakened the Iraqis in this way. This new plan has done its work; it has introduced a new culture, a new thought, and a new path for humanity. The anger and objections are related to this. The issue of the atomic bomb and the aftermath of what they spread in the illusion of military nuclear activity in the world are all excuses and words; the issue is not this. Even with Islam, there is no opposition to Islam itself and the slogan of Islam. You should pay attention to this; in the history of governments with religious slogans or governments claiming religion, there have been many religious governments; it is abundant. In our youth, in various parts of the world, there were governments of Christian clergy. In the past few centuries, the church ruled over many Western countries and some other regions. In the history of Islam, we also see governments of those who claim religion and the guardianship of religion. These things are not rare in history; even today, there are governments in the world that have religious slogans at the forefront. What is rare in the world - which has attracted so much enmity - is the government of religious values; the emergence of religion; that is, the insistence on achieving social justice. When we say this, it is not a slogan; it is our truth and identity. If we do not pursue social justice, our existence is empty and meaningless, and the Islamic Republic has no meaning. We must realize social justice; we must implement Islamic values in society; we must make society a religious and Islamic society.

A few years ago, I said in one of these sessions that we had an Islamic revolution, then we established an Islamic system, the next stage is the establishment of an Islamic government, the next stage is the establishment of an Islamic country, and the next stage is the establishment of an international Islamic civilization. Today, we are in the stage of an Islamic government and an Islamic country; we must create an Islamic government. Today, our government - meaning the officials of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches, which together constitute the Islamic government - has a good share of Islamic truths and values; but it is not enough; starting with myself. We must move more towards becoming Islamic, living as Muslims and believers. We must move towards an Alavi life. Moving towards an Alavi life does not mean that if they wore a loincloth and walked then, we should also wear a loincloth and walk today; no, today the world is advanced. We must revive the spirit of Alavi life - that is, justice, piety, righteousness, chastity, fearlessness in the way of God, and desire and enthusiasm for striving in the way of God - within ourselves; we must move towards these; this is the foundation of our work. And let me tell you, in that case, the effectiveness of the Islamic Republic will also be multiplied; because the fundamental problem that may arise for the Islamic system is effectiveness in the global view; whether they could do this work, whether they could do that work? If we take our internal transformation seriously step by step and show our commitment to our values and principles in practice, our effectiveness and successes will also increase. Of course, the enemies do not want this; they create uproar and noise; it does not matter.

My belief is this; as much as Europe and America pretend to be concerned about the issue of nuclear energy and pretend to be worried about this matter, they are not worried. They themselves know that we are not pursuing nuclear weapons. We keep repeating, insisting; they say "no" and shake their heads! While they know we are not pursuing nuclear weapons. The issue is to occupy the Islamic system. One of their main goals is to occupy the Islamic system; to distract the minds of the managers, officials, parliament, government, and various stakeholders from the current issues and work of the country in various sectors - whether in the judicial sector, the executive sector, or the legislative sector - and to divert them. Even if this issue is resolved, another issue will arise!

Of course, if we want to say a sentence about this issue, it is this: the negotiators and agents of the government of the Islamic Republic are pursuing this work; they are talking and working; they are also pursuing the same red lines that the officials of the country have stated publicly in their statements; but what must be firmly communicated to the negotiating parties is that they should not think that with their incorrect and illogical words, they can convince the Iranian nation that the parties adhere to logic. If the Iranian nation concludes that the negotiating parties do not adhere to logic, it will abandon dialogue with them; because someone who is not logical, what dialogue, what words?! We have shown in the past year that we are logical and have logic. They said they want transparency; we said very well, it is a global regulation; representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency should come to visit so that if they are worried, their worries can be alleviated. The Islamic Republic has made logic the hallmark of its work. Wherever it accepted something, it was based on logic; wherever it rejected something, it was based on logic. Whenever they wanted to bully, the Islamic Republic stood firm and did not accept. The bullying of the opposing parties indicates their illogicality; they have no logic. "You must suspend enrichment for a long time"; why and for what reason? What connection is there between transparency and the suspension or cessation of enrichment? There is no connection at all. With these nonsensical statements and the words of the colonial era, can a nation be deprived of its rights and demands and opinions; especially the Iranian nation; this living nation? The negotiating parties should know that the Iranian nation is alive. A living being is both logical and active, and is both cooperative and defensive, and is also capable of striking when necessary.

What we are saying in this regard is that acting illogically will not be accepted by the Islamic Republic and the great Iranian nation; and if any form of threat arises in the negotiations, it indicates a lack of logic. If there is logic, there is no threat. If there is a threat, it indicates illogicality; and illogicality will keep us from the essence of dialogue and continuing cooperation with the relevant parties of the Agency and others.

What we officials need is to increase our effectiveness and that of the system. Effectiveness must be in the direction of achieving Islamic demands and goals; it must be in the direction of the realization and embodiment of values in society. Our cultural, economic, political, and security sectors are responsible; all are responsible. Everyone must pay attention to their responsibilities and consider themselves accountable for these responsibilities; this is the duty of all of us. Let us know that if we fulfill our duties, with the abundant resources that God has graciously provided for this country and this nation, and with the experience of progress that we have, the victory of the Islamic Republic and the victory of truth over falsehood in this field is certain.

We have made good progress in these years. Over the past twenty-two years, since the Islamic Republic found itself and entered various fields of construction - from the second and third years of the revolution until today - our progress has been good. We are the same country that had to import barbed wire; but now we can export our missiles. Back then, we were in dead-end alleys in various scientific fields; but today, in most scientific fields, we see the path open, the field wide, and the travelers energetic. Scientific movement has started in the country. There have been many advancements, some of which the President has mentioned in statistics today, and many others are advancements of the Islamic system. This is the experience of the Iranian nation; the experience of progress, the experience of success, reliance on God, the decision to realize divine and Islamic values, and not yielding in this field - where there is no place for yielding - and planning to implement these values and goals in various sectors of the Islamic system; this is among our certain and obligatory duties, and we hope that, God willing, the Almighty God has decreed that the officials of the country and the three branches of power can take successful steps in this regard and do fundamental work. Both the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch must pay attention that today the country is thirsty for their work. We must work and strive and elevate the capacity of the country's capabilities and functions.

O Lord! For Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, make what we have said a source of goodness and reward for us in Your presence. O Lord! Grant us - the speaker and the listener - the success to act upon what has been said; elevate the Iranian nation; grant it victory over its enemies; bestow upon all the officials of the country the success of piety and righteousness; unite the pure soul of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) with his saints and grant our dear martyrs to be united with Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.

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