Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a meeting with various segments of the people on the occasion of the Half of Sha'ban at Tehran's Mosalla

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

I extend my warmest welcome to all dear brothers and sisters, especially those who have come from distant cities. I also congratulate all of you, the esteemed attendees, on this blessed occasion and the great birth, and I hope that all the hours of your life, efforts, and activities are encompassed by the grace and affectionate attention of that great figure.

The celebration of the birth of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) is a great holiday for all Shiites, indeed for all justice-seekers in the world. Therefore, our people express their love and devotion to the presence of Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) with all their being and with their hearts and souls during this celebration. What is important for us as lovers and believers in the Imamate and Guardianship of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) is that, in addition to expressing our devotion and joy, we learn from this historical memory or from this Shiite belief.

The belief in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi is not exclusive to Shiites. Of course, the belief in the reappearance of Mahdi at certain times in history is not exclusive to Shiites; all Muslims, both Shiite and Sunni, believe in this meaning; even non-Muslims believe in it in some form. However, the distinction of Shiites is that they recognize this savior of humanity by name, characteristics, and attributes, and they believe that he is always ready to receive divine commands. Whenever the Lord of the Universe commands him, he is prepared to commence that great task which is destined to transform humanity and history. What we must take as a lesson and knowledge from this matter is significant.

Justice; the most prominent slogan of Mahdism. You brothers and sisters are aware that the most prominent slogan of Mahdism is justice. For example, in the Du'a al-Nudbah, when we begin to mention and enumerate the attributes of that great figure, after referring to his noble ancestors and pure lineage, the first sentence we mention is: "This is the one prepared to eradicate the oppressors, this is the awaited one for establishing the community and rectifying the crooked, this is the one hoped for to eliminate oppression and aggression"; that is, the heart of humanity beats for that savior to come and eradicate oppression; to destroy the foundation of oppression, which has always existed in human history since ancient times and still exists today with intensity, and to place the oppressors in their rightful place. This is the first request of the awaited ones from the appearance of that great figure. Or in the Ziyarat of Al-Yasin, when you mention the characteristics of that great figure, one of the most prominent is that "he will fill the earth with justice and fairness as it has been filled with oppression and injustice." The expectation is that he will fill the entire world - not just one point - with justice and establish fairness everywhere. This meaning is also present in the narrations about that great figure. Therefore, the expectation of the awaited ones for the promised Mahdi is primarily the expectation of establishing justice.

The great pain of humanity; the lack of justice. The great pain of humanity today is this issue of the lack of justice. The machinery of oppression and tyranny has always wronged people in various forms around the world; they have placed humanity under pressure and deprived individuals of their natural rights; however, today this meaning is more pronounced than at any time in history, and humanity seeks the reappearance of the promised Mahdi to remedy this. Therefore, the issue is the demand for justice.

The destruction of the foundation of oppression is certain. The first practical lesson from this topic is that destroying the foundation of oppression on a global scale is not only possible but certain. This is a very important matter that today’s generations should not believe that nothing can be done against global oppression. Today, when we speak with the political elites of the world about the oppressions of the centers of international power and the global system of oppression - which today is led by global arrogance existing all over the world - we see that they say yes; what you say is correct; they truly oppress; but nothing can be done! This means that a large group of elites, who hold the reins of power in the world, are trapped in despair and hopelessness, and they overflow this despair and hopelessness onto their nations, discouraging them from believing that they can change the oppressive and devilish plans of today’s world. It is evident that hopeless individuals cannot make any movement towards reform. What compels individuals to work and move is the light and power of hope. The belief in the promised Mahdi fills hearts with the light of hope. For us, who believe in the certain future of the reappearance of the promised Mahdi (peace be upon him), this despair that grips many of the world’s elites is meaningless. We say no, it is possible to change the political map of the world; it is possible to confront oppression and the centers of tyrannical power, and in the future, not only is this meaning possible, but it is certain. When a nation believes that the devilish and oppressive plan of today can be changed globally, that nation gains courage and feels that divine destiny has not definitively written the dominance of oppressors.

Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) removed despair from hearts. Individuals can strive and raise the banner of justice - even if in a limited area. You see that nations today, living under the pressure of oppression and tyranny, if they nurture this hope in their hearts that it is possible to fight against oppression, what a change will occur in the world and how nations awaken! One day, the Iranian nation was also gripped by the power of the tyrannical regime and suffered from the same despair; but our great Imam, with Islamic teachings, removed this despair from hearts and gave hope and courage to the people. The result was that these people rose up, revolted, endured hardships, fought, did not spare their lives, and were able to confront and uproot the factors of oppression and the tyrannical and devilish system in this corner of the world.

The global oppressive order is not eternal. Today, the propaganda apparatus of the arrogant centers of the world and the intellectuals dependent on them propagate that no movement against the current oppressive order is possible. They fight against the thought of revolution and idealism and want to convince nations to accept the current oppressive situation and not to react against it. The belief in the Mahdi is the opposite of this false and oppressive propaganda. Our youth, intellectuals, and the general public cultivate this firm belief in their hearts that the global oppressive order is changeable and not eternal; it is possible to fight against it and stand up to it.

Justice cannot be achieved through admonition and advice. Another lesson that the belief in Mahdism and the celebrations of the Half of Sha'ban should teach us is this: The justice we are waiting for - the justice of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) that pertains to the global level - cannot be achieved through admonition and advice; that is, the awaited Mahdi of nations will not come to advise the oppressors of the world not to oppress, be greedy, dominate, or exploit. Justice will not be established anywhere in the world through the language of advice. The establishment of justice, whether at the global level - as that heir of the prophets will do - or in all parts of the world, requires that just individuals and righteous people who seek justice hold power and speak to the oppressors with the language of power. With those who are intoxicated by tyrannical power, one cannot speak with the language of advice; one must speak with the language of authority. The beginning of the invitation of the divine prophets was with the language of advice; but after they were able to gather and equip their supporters, then they spoke with the enemies of monotheism and humanity with the language of power.

Supporters of justice must equip themselves with power. You see in the same noble verse of the Quran that speaks about fairness and says that the Almighty God sent all prophets, "to establish justice among the people"; immediately it says: "And We sent down iron in which is strong material and benefits for people"; that is, the prophets, in addition to speaking with the language of invitation, oppose and fight with the tyrants and corrupt power-seekers with arms and the means of power. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came to Medina and established the Islamic system, he recited the verses of the Quran to the people, also conveying them to the enemies; but he did not stop there. Those who support justice must equip themselves with power in the face of tyrants, greedy individuals, and violators of human rights. Thus, you see that from the day the Islamic system was established - that is, Islam equipped with the power of a great nation and the resources of a large country and government - the enemies of Islam took the movement of Islam seriously, and the supporters and lovers of Islam around the world became hopeful. Many prophets entered the field of struggle and holy jihad: "And how many a prophet fought alongside many worshippers of the Lord."

The arrogance fears the establishment of an Islamic system. Those who think that Islam should retreat and sit in a corner and that the men of Islam and religion should only use the language of advice, knowingly or unknowingly say exactly what the global power centers want and wish. The centers of arrogant power are not afraid of Islamic leaders sitting in a corner of the world, occasionally sending a message and saying a word - just as Christian leaders give messages and advice in every issue; they know this poses no danger to them. They fear that Muslim nations awaken and establish governments; they fear that the Islamic faith of individuals manifests itself in the form of a system, a state, and a government. The Islamic system and the Muslim nation of Iran have taken the greatest step in this direction, and thanks to the struggles of the young and faithful men and women of this nation, Islam has emerged in the world as a power. The more this power can establish itself and become more stable, the more the oppressive and devilish order of the world is threatened.

Islamic power prevents oppression and corruption. Some, without attention, speak of the separation of religion and politics; that is, they want to push religion into secluded corners and have the religious person only rely on advice! Here, advice cannot do anything. What can restrain and threaten powers and resist oppression and corruption and uproot or destabilize it is divine and Islamic power; it is political power that is in the hands of Islamic laws. Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), with authority and power and relying on the capabilities that his own lofty faith and the faith of his followers and friends equip him with, will seize the throats of the oppressors of the world and destroy the palaces of oppression.

Serving Imam Mahdi is not an easy task. Another lesson of the belief in Mahdism and the celebrations of the Half of Sha'ban for you and me is that although the belief in Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) is a lofty ideal and there is no doubt about it; however, we should not limit the matter to its ideal aspect - that is, as a wish in the heart, or at most on the tongue, or in the form of a celebration - no, this is an ideal that must be followed by action. The expectation that has been spoken of is not merely sitting and shedding tears; expectation means that we must prepare ourselves for the service of Imam Mahdi. Serving Imam Mahdi is not an easy task. Serving the great savior who wants to fight against all centers of power and international corruption requires self-cultivation, awareness, and insight. Some use this belief as a means to sedate themselves or others; this is wrong. We should not think that because Imam Mahdi will come and fill the world with justice and fairness, we have no duty today; on the contrary, we have a duty today to move in that direction to prepare for the appearance of that great figure. You have heard that in the past, those who were waiting always kept their weapons with them. This is a symbolic act and means that one must cultivate oneself intellectually, spiritually, and practically and be ready to act in fields of activity and struggle.

Belief in Imam Mahdi does not mean retreating. Deviant currents before the revolution propagated, and they still propagate here and there, that Imam Mahdi will come and set things right; what do we need to do today! What necessity is there for us to take action! This is like a person in a dark night not lighting a lamp because tomorrow the sun will rise and it will become day and illuminate the whole world. The sun of tomorrow has nothing to do with our current situation. Today, if we see oppression, injustice, discrimination, and tyranny in every corner of the world, these are the very things that Imam Mahdi comes to fight against. If we are soldiers of Imam Mahdi, we must prepare ourselves to fight against these.

The awaited ones of Imam Mahdi must be righteous. The greatest duty of the awaited ones of Imam Mahdi is to prepare themselves spiritually, morally, and practically, and to strengthen their religious, ideological, and emotional ties with the believers, as well as to prepare to confront the oppressors. Those who participated in the sacred defense without knowing fatigue in the ranks of the sacred defense were the true waiters. Someone who, when the Islamic country is threatened by the enemy, is ready to defend the values and the Islamic homeland and the raised flag of Islam can claim that if Imam Mahdi comes, he will step into the fields of danger behind that great figure. But those who lose themselves in the face of danger, deviation, and the temptations of the world; those who are not willing to take actions that threaten their personal interests; how can these be considered waiters of Imam Mahdi? Someone who is waiting for that great reformer must prepare the grounds for righteousness within themselves and do what they can to stand for the realization of righteousness.

The government of Imam Mahdi is a truly popular government. Another important lesson is that the future government of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) is a truly popular government. What does popular mean? It means relying on the faith, will, and arms of the people. Imam Mahdi will not only fill the world with justice and fairness; Imam Mahdi relies on the individual believers of the people and, with their support, will establish divine justice throughout the world and form a completely popular government; however, this popular government is fundamentally different from the governments that claim to be popular and democratic in today’s world. What is today called democracy and popular governance in the world is the same old dictatorships dressed in new clothes; that is, the dictatorship of groups. Even if competition exists, it is competition between groups, and the people are left out of this. One group gains power and, under the political power that grants them all the reins of affairs in the country, they misuse this power to gather wealth and resources for themselves and use them to regain power. The democracies of today are based on deceptive propaganda and the enchantment of eyes and hearts. Today, wherever democracy is proclaimed in the world, you see what they do for the propaganda of presidential candidates or parliamentary representatives! They spend money. Democracy is captive in the grip of power. The people’s governance of Imam Mahdi - that is, religious popular governance - is entirely different from this method.

Money serves power, and power serves money. The reason I emphasize that we must be vigilant against financial abuses in the power structures dependent on the government is because of this. The great harm of economic corruption in government institutions is that it uses money to serve power and power to serve money, creating a vicious cycle. Power and responsibility in various sectors are misused to gather wealth and money; then that same money is used to buy the votes of voters; whether through open buying - which is common in many places in the world - or through hidden buying in various ways; that is, by spending various amounts to gain popularity. When they attract the votes of the people with expensive deceptive propaganda, this is not popular governance and people’s involvement in affairs; the votes of the people here become a plaything.

In the Islamic system, of which the complete manifestation is the government of Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), deception and trickery to attract the votes of the people is itself a crime; using power to gain money is one of the greatest crimes. There, the companions of Imam Mahdi are obliged to live at lower levels of life. Our Islamic system is a small ray of that brilliant truth. We have never claimed and do not claim this; but we must have a sign of it.

Gathering wealth through responsibility is a sin. In the Islamic system, the centers of power and those who hold various institutions and management and signatures must view the gathering of personal wealth as a sin. If this happens, then hands and skirts will remain clean; otherwise, if an official who has a foreign trade or a large tender at his disposal; a significant and costly project under his signature and a fund of money under his key allows himself to use this opportunity - which belongs to the country and the people - for personal gain and to gather wealth for himself or his close ones, then the same thing will happen that has occurred in countries suffering from oppressive systems in the past and present; that is, wealth will become concentrated in one point, and a large number will suffer deprivation and poverty. This is discrimination; this is what Islam has come to fight against. We, who claim to be Islamic, must fight against it.

What Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) says: "I have not seen a plentiful blessing except that there is a neglected right beside it"; that is, wherever you see accumulated wealth, know that there are many neglected rights alongside it; the main manifestation and major example of this is that the agents and officials of the government can easily use public resources with their influence and power; banks easily grant loans; various centers provide access to land, water, air, trade, and import and export; suddenly you see those who were previously empty-handed have acquired vast wealth; the appearance of the matter is legal.

Lawyers who break the law are more dangerous than all. I once said that lawyers who break the law are more dangerous than all; those who know the law well, understand the twists and turns and intricate passages of the law well, but they themselves break the law; without it being apparent that their actions are law-breaking. If, God forbid, such a thing becomes prevalent in our nation, it would be a disaster. This is something that is completely incompatible with the Islamic system and the expectation of the promised Mahdi. This is the limit I have requested from the officials.

Fighting corruption in government institutions. I have repeatedly told the officials, emphasized it, and I will say it again and stand by this matter: Corruption in government institutions and other governmental bodies must be fought. The commitment to this struggle lies with the officials of the various branches themselves. First and foremost, to prevent corruption in the government, the government officials themselves, the ministers, and the senior managers are responsible. They should not allow corruption to arise in their assemblies. If they want to fight and take this struggle seriously, they will be better than anyone else at fighting it. Of course, they must be careful to keep their skirts clean.

Let everyone know: Someone who is himself tainted by corruption will not be able to fight against corruption. The officials themselves must vigilantly and carefully combat this phenomenon. If, God forbid, managers compromise in confronting corruption in their institutions, the judiciary must inevitably step in. The judiciary must also confront any corruption or action contrary to the law and in the direction of abuse without hesitation and consideration.

Justice; the primary need of today’s country. Dear brothers and sisters! The primary need of our country today is justice. The people suffer from discrimination. The officials of the country - who, thanks be to God, are pious and clean - if they want to implement what is truly needed by the people, they must think of justice. If the thought and motivation for justice are alive in hearts, then opportunities, work, and success for resolving the knots will arise one by one; unemployment and various economic issues and cultural problems will be solved, and the growth of science in scientific institutions and universities will be possible.

Our dear nation, with its pure and sincere faith and with the trust it has in the Islamic system throughout its existence, will be able to stand against global threats with steadfastness, dignity, power, and courage and keep the global arrogant and domineering aggressors from approaching the borders and sanctity of this nation.

O Lord! Honor our nation; protect our youth; illuminate the hearts of all our nation with the light of Your knowledge. O Lord! Increase the power of this nation day by day; make the sacred heart of the Awaited Imam pleased with us; make us all worthy of serving that great figure and unite the pure soul of Imam Khomeini and the great martyrs with Your saints.

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