Statements in Meeting with a Group of Officials of the Islamic Republic

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

It is necessary to first congratulate all brothers and sisters on the occasion of the New Year. Although the New Year has passed quite a bit - fifteen or sixteen days - the celebration of Nowruz is indeed the celebration of spring, and beyond the official holidays and customs, the days of celebration actually continue. We hope, God willing, that the new year will be a blessed one for all the people of Iran, especially for those who serve the people in various institutions and in the three branches of government. The blessing of the year is that the Almighty God, through you, brings His blessings to this country, to this land, to these good and faithful people. Of course, this requires purposeful and motivated efforts from both you and me. Let us strive, God willing, to make our existence beneficial for the people.

Every moment of our responsibility will be questioned. Everyone will be questioned; however, the one who does not bear a heavy burden, like someone who does not have much wealth, will be asked for an account, and with a few words, he will be free. The one who has a lot of wealth, who has various sources of income, if asked for an account, naturally cannot settle it with just a word or two. If the one asking for the account is precise and wants to scrutinize and act justly, it will certainly become very difficult; step by step, this must be answered: we earned this money from here, we spent it here, we earned it for this reason, we spent it for this reason. Responsibility is the same. Now, thanks be to God, you are apparently not wealthy individuals - God willing, you are not - but the weight of your responsibility is greater than the weight of that wealth. They will ask us: in such and such a matter, what was your responsibility? You must know the details of your responsibility. If we do not know, they will ask why you did not know that this is your responsibility? How did you become negligent? When we know, they will ask how you fulfilled this responsibility? It takes time to explain, to express, to make excuses.

And we are all indebted. All of humanity, all of creation, is indebted in the face of divine reckoning. No one can say that my deeds are sufficient to respond; even the prophets cannot say this; hence, they seek forgiveness. The prophets and saints continue to seek forgiveness until the last moment. Imam Sajjad says in his prayer: "And Your justice is my destruction"; Your justice, my father, brings me down. Therefore, we say: "Deal with us by Your grace". If the discussion of justice arises and they want to scrutinize, and if we pay attention to our actions, it is a disaster. We must ask the Almighty God for His grace, His indulgence, and His forgiveness.

Of course, there is one statement that can be presented before the Almighty God; and that is that I have strived to the best of my ability. If we can say this, it is good. To the extent that I understood, to the extent that I could and knew, I tried; now forgive the shortcomings and problems. This is how it becomes. Therefore, we must dedicate our efforts to utilizing all our energy, ability, and capacity. Of course, every human has weaknesses, problems, and shortcomings; we should also entrust these to God; but let us make our efforts and not fall short of our capacities.

Now we have stated: doubled effort, doubled work. This doubling does not only mean twofold. If you strive, do it tenfold; it is appropriate. What is very important is the existing capacities in society. In all areas, we are like an untapped or partially tapped mine. Experts and specialists in all fields - such as economic, technical, and scientific fields - tell us that the capacities of the country are unparalleled. Friends who are experts in any field, any part of the important tasks of society, and are familiar with the issues, when they report, when they compare, when they compare us, our nation, our country with many other countries, they lead us to the conclusion that our capacities are very high. In the economic field, the capacity of the country is very high. In the scientific field, the capacity of the country is truly astonishing. When one accelerates the movement, becomes more serious, applies pressure, and insists, one suddenly sees that there are indeed blossoms in this garden; there are saplings that flourish in this orchard, which one never imagined or thought of; but we see it has happened and is happening.

In various cultural sectors, when one looks, one sees that there are many preparations, bubbling talents, and numerous talented individuals. In the field of technology, one sees that the possible movement in the country is very immense and terrifying. Great works can be accomplished. These are the capacities of the country.

Now these capacities in various sectors are in our hands. If we do not recognize these capacities, we have fallen short; if we recognize them and do not strive to utilize these capacities, we have fallen short; if we settle for a moderate level, we have fallen short. We must move towards the peak. Just like an athlete who has physical talent, whose body structure is suitable, and has sports facilities in front of him; he cannot say that I will exercise for half an hour or twenty minutes every day; he must aim for championship; he must consider the peak.

In the matters of the hereafter, it is the same; in spiritual matters, it is the same; in the movement of monotheism, it is the same; one should not be satisfied with little. In seeking divine reward, it is the same; one should not be satisfied with little. Well, if we did not exert this high effort, we have wronged ourselves; we have fallen short. This shortcoming is both a wrong to ourselves - because we will be held accountable by God - and a wrong to those who deserve to benefit from these capacities. If they do not benefit, we have erred. Saying these words is easy. Acting and moving is difficult; it requires effort.

Let us know that the Almighty God helps us. Anyone who pursues a goal and exerts their energy, God helps them. Whether in worldly matters or not, the Almighty God helps; "Indeed, We extend to these and those". Those who pursue the world, God says He helps them. Although when they become consumed by the world, they will no longer have a share in the hereafter. Both those who seek the hereafter, we help, and those who seek the world. The hereafter is not just about night prayers, supplications, and remembrance; of course, these are means; but serving the people, being present where necessary, all of these are divine works.

You see, in the early days of Islam, those who were praised - now in our culture, according to our belief - were more praised for their political and social stances and struggles than for their prayers and worship. We do not praise Abu Dharr, or Ammar, or Miqdad, or Maytham al-Tammar, or Malik al-Ashtar much for their worship. History recognizes them for their stances that were decisive; they were able to guide the great movement of society, shape it, and help advance this movement. Those who were criticized were the same. Many of the great figures who were criticized were not criticized for drinking alcohol or for not praying; they were criticized for not being present where their presence was necessary. History has recorded this; look and see. Therefore, God's work, spiritual work, monotheistic work, is not limited to praying; although prayer should not be underestimated. Prayer is the backbone of all of these. Reciting the Quran, contemplating the Quran, supplicating before the Almighty God, reading the supplications of the infallibles - Sahifa Sajjadiyya, the supplication of Imam Hussein, Dua Kumayl, and the rest of the supplications - all of these are helpful; they facilitate the movement of the human existence; if you have a connection with God and correct and reform your relationship with God, you will perform these tasks more easily; with greater eagerness, with more enthusiasm. Therefore, anyone who wants to do God's work, the Almighty God helps them. Anyone who wants to do worldly work, it is the same. Those whose goal is the world, or worldly status, or worldly wealth, or worldly pleasures, or sexual pleasures and the like - which you see many examples of in the world today - when they strive in the path of that goal, God helps them. Divine help is that He provides them with means. They strive, they go this way, their goal is only material; thus, they reach that goal. Of course, since they have ignored the main side, which is the spiritual, divine, and hereafter side, they suffer there; but in this part where they aimed, they progress.

Well, now you gentlemen and ladies who are here, you are officials, and these words we are sharing with you are words that you yourselves tell the people; they are not new words for you; they are reminders. A person needs reminders. In reminding, there are great results that are not present in mere knowledge. Many things a person knows, but they must be constantly reminded. Let us pay attention to where we are, what we are doing, what the goal is? The goal is not a trivial worldly matter that we forget the great duty and trample on lofty goals for it. The goal is not to be praised and commended by this or that person, for example, to sit on a chair for a while, and have four people bow and obey in front of us. These are trivial for humanity. The goal is salvation; it is success - "Indeed, the believers have succeeded" - this must be the goal. We must think about true life, which will begin; now sooner or later, for all of us, in a few days, a few hours, a few years; ultimately, true life will begin with physical and bodily death. The goal is to cultivate that place; all of these are preliminaries.

One of the very important things - since now almost all officials of the three branches are present here - is unity in movement; even if there is no unity in thought and opinion, which is neither possible nor desirable. Differences in tastes and opinions lead to discussions, and discussions lead to the discovery of new areas. Therefore, we do not recommend that everyone must think the same in all matters; no, it is not possible at all. Differences in opinion, taste, thought, and understanding have been a means for human advancement since the beginning of creation. However, despite the existing differences, coordination in movement is necessary. If there is a caravan, and the members of the caravan have differences among themselves, have discussions, have arguments, have scientific discussions, have political discussions, have discussions on various and everyday issues, and they discuss together - this is not a problem - if they reach a conclusion, so much the better; if they do not reach a conclusion, that is fine; but this movement that is taking place should not stop. It should not be that this discussion causes the means of the smooth path beneath their feet to be disrupted, and they become preoccupied with discussions; or perhaps say that now that we did not reach a unified conclusion on this scientific issue, then you go this way, I will go that way; no, we are moving; the goal is clear. The three branches must move this way. Dear friends! Brothers and sisters who are present in the three branches! Be careful that the unity of movement, the unity in movement and in major decisions, is maintained; differences should not lead to fundamental disagreements in work.

We now have the fifth program ahead of us. The fifth program places many obligations on everyone. Of course, in the middle of the field, naturally, the government is the executor; but the legislative branch, the judiciary, and the auxiliary institutions that exist, all of these are both responsible and effective. If we are to say at every step of the work and the words that now that this has happened, then nothing, we will not cooperate, the work will not progress. Cooperate, help, and provide facilities for the one who is in the middle of the execution. Of course, consider the interests, but help ensure that the executive work is carried out well and progresses.

I strongly recommend cooperation among the three branches and the three powers, so that we can, God willing, secure the outlook. The goals of the outlook are very important. Of course, if you exert doubled effort, you may even go beyond those goals; this is possible and there is no objection to it. Now we observe that we are ahead of the hypothetical timeline regarding the goals of the outlook in some areas. It may be that in some areas we are a little behind, but in some areas, we are certainly ahead according to that hypothetical timeline that one has in mind, and we have no problems. We can also go beyond those goals. This requires that we be able to move forward, be able to act, and strive. Therefore, doubled effort is necessary.

Both in the hereafter and in worldly matters, we must strive. Friends in personal matters and your relationships with God should also exert effort and work as much as they can; this should not be left to negligence and forgetfulness. Personal and individual matters - what is between each person and God - is very important. If we engage and become accustomed to these things, God willing, the Almighty God will also help more; as He has helped us a lot until now.

Cultural matters are also very important. Public culture is very important. The religious face in the public life of the people is very important. The religious face and appearance - which, God willing, will indicate the inner state - is very significant.

Well, we should also thank the brothers who worked hard during the Nowruz holidays; from the police force to the media, to the health and hospital services, and so on. Various institutions took on many services to ensure that the people could have their comfort. In the public sector, in various areas, very good efforts were made. Truly, some exerted themselves, worked, and maintained and ensured comfort, happiness, and security for the people; these are very valuable.

And how good it is that the official institutions start their work from the very beginning of the end of the official holidays. Fortunately, some have worked very hard, have been very present. From the first days of Farvardin when we were on holiday, we saw that some were striving, were present, and good work was being done. The more you can promote the culture of work, effort, and presence in the field of work and the work front, the better; this will help the movement and vitality of society.

We hope, God willing, that the Almighty God grants success to all, supports and assists you all. God willing, this issue of targeting subsidies, which I have now heard is being agreed upon, will be agreed upon in the best way and good works will be done so that the people can taste the fruits of your efforts and endeavors, God willing.

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