Statements in Meeting with a Group of Poets and Reciters of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them)

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad and the pure family. O God, send blessings upon Fatimah and her father, her husband, and her children.

I congratulate all of you dear brothers and sisters on this noble day, shining with spiritual lights, to the eulogists of the pure family of the Prophet, the sweet-singing nightingales of the prophetic, Alawi, and Hussaini garden, who you are. Truly, it is appropriate to congratulate you, dear mourners, the readers of religious gatherings, the softeners of the hearts of listeners before divine admonitions. We thank God that this blessed gathering has been held for many years - perhaps around thirty years now - every year on such a day; perhaps longer than the age of some of the esteemed attendees. Of course, throughout the year, we also seek intercession from this great figure and are blessed by mentioning that noble person. Today is also a day of birth. Naturally, the joy of commemorating the birth of that great figure adds to this attention and heartfelt reminder of all of us, God willing.

The coincidence with the birth of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) - which is on the twentieth of Jumada al-Thani - is a very sweet phenomenon for us. This great figure, whom we have had the honor of being in his presence for many years, was truly a model and embodiment of that great and radiant truth that we have heard from our noble Imams and known in their works and is in our memories from the mother of the Imams (peace be upon her). Of course, comparisons should not be made, and they cannot be made; but, well, the same path, the same signs were also present in this great figure; the same faith, the same sincerity, the same worship, the same zeal, the same steadfastness in the way of God. The qualities that made our Imam dear on earth and in the heavens and among the worthy servants of God were these characteristics. This is also a double celebration. This year, this celebration coincides with the third of Khordad, which is also a story. This dear brother, who apparently is a disabled veteran, recited these eloquent verses here; memories of those days of sacred defense. Therefore, today is a great day.

One of the characteristics that stands out in our revolution is the repeated mention of the blessed name of Lady Zahra (peace be upon her) and the blessed name of Imam Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for him). These two blessed names have been repeated throughout the revolution, on various occasions, more than other divine and Islamic and Shia teachings; this is a phenomenon. In the pre-revolution era, neither in religious gatherings, nor in public environments, nor in the language of poets and speakers, and the elite and the masses, was the blessed name of Zahra (peace be upon her) repeated this much. There were the faithful, there were gatherings, there were speakers, the blessed name was mentioned, but not in this way, with this breadth and depth of perspective. No one taught this to the people. That is, we did not raise this issue in our slogans, in our speeches. This is a divine phenomenon, a matter that has arisen and grown from hearts, emotions, and faith. No one - neither Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), nor the great figures of the revolution - told the warriors during the sacred defense to use the slogan "Ya Zahra" for your attacks, or to wear the headband "Ya Zahra"; but whatever you look at, throughout the sacred defense, the blessed name of Lady Zahra was mentioned more than all other pure and blessed names; likewise, the blessed name of Imam Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for him). These two names in the revolution, naturally, without command, without prior study, have grown from hearts, from faith, and from emotions; this is a blessed sign; a sign of the attention of that lady of the two worlds, that unique divine celestial element in the realm of existence in terms of luminosity - after the noble father and Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him). Some of the people of meaning also mentioned this special attention. We have heard from some that the lady of the two worlds has a special attention. This is very valuable, this is hopeful; it assures us in our hearts, in the depths of our souls, to achieve the ultimate goals, and makes our steps firm and steadfast. When a person has their eyes on the goal, knows the goal, reaching the goal does not count as a mere wish; they are hopeful, both taking firm steps and not losing their way.

One of the most important characteristics of the Islamic Revolution of Iran is that over these thirty-two years, despite a difficult and long path, with all these disturbances, with all these oppositions, with all these various confrontational policies, in different forms and from various sides, this straight line in the revolution has absolutely not deviated; the slogans are the same slogans, the goals are the same goals, the line is the same line, the path is the same path. By the blessing of the clear and eloquent statement of our Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) - which fortunately is well-documented - there is no interpretation or commentary; the path is a straight path; this path has been advanced by the revolution. And I tell you; as long as you and I take firm steps, do not take our eyes off the goal, and move with hope, no power in the world can block our path; and this has had the greatest effect in nurturing the blossoms of hope in the hearts of Muslims and Islamic nations.

When a revolution occurs, it makes many people in the world happy; the masses of people are usually like this. I remember that during the period of oppression, the dictator of Spain died. Although his death had nothing to do with us, we here in Tehran or in Mashhad were happy; it was as if we had a celebration that that dictatorship which had ruled in Spain for years was gone. Or another dictator in Portugal - which now there is a big uproar in these countries; the movement is a very great movement - died, and we were happy here. Therefore, when revolutions occur, anyone who has hope in their heart, has a lofty idea within them, and is unhappy with the existing environment and system, becomes happy. When our revolution came into being, many were happy. However, in many of these phenomena, this happiness is not long-lasting. Events occur that erase this happiness. Now it varies; sometimes it takes ten years, sometimes twenty years; sometimes it does not even reach this amount, the paths become crooked and twisted.

In the 1960s, revolutions occurred in these North African countries - in Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Algeria - but they did not last long; either the people who were at the head of the revolution and were the leaders were swept away, or they handed over their positions to puppets, or they themselves became puppets. The adornments of the world do not leave people at ease; these temptations are constantly working and active in the hearts of people. If there is no armor and shield of piety, these quickly affect people; the paths change. Therefore, the hopes that bloom as a result of revolutions become depressed due to regressions; it is an early spring that ends.

The characteristic of this great Islamic revolution that you, the Iranian nation, initiated, was that by God's grace, that spring has not had an autumn until today. This steadfastness, this stability, this continuity, this adherence to the values and principles that the revolution brought for this people is what keeps the hopes alive in the hearts of observers around the world who see and look. This has happened in our revolution.

Not that we want to boast, to become arrogant, to attribute empty honors to ourselves, to keep saying yes, this country learned from us, that country learned from us; no, no country learned from our country; but it is certain that the seed of hope that was sown in the hearts of nations, watered, and grew and blossomed, was due to the steadfastness of the Iranian nation. If the Iranian nation had retreated, if we had abandoned our slogans, if we had bowed and trembled in the face of the threats and pressures of global arrogance, the flowers of hope that had bloomed in the hearts of nations would have withered and would not have remained. It was your steadfastness that allowed these saplings of hope to bear fruit; and this happened; and this is due to the divine spiritual blessings that have come to us through the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and the blessed name of the pure Zahra and the blessed name of Imam Mahdi and the attentions of this great figure; we must preserve these; we must hold onto them tightly for ourselves. This attention, this intercession, this attention to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), this knowing it is from God, this not becoming arrogant for ourselves must be preserved.

The next topic relates to the beautiful and delicate profession of eulogy; that now, if not everyone present, a large number of the present gathering are respected eulogists. Over the years, on this occasion and on other occasions, I have spoken a lot about this; but I emphasize again. The poem that you recite with a pleasant voice and beautiful melody has an effect in many cases greater than a logical philosophical discourse or otherwise; if what is recited is properly selected and the formal and spiritual aspects are considered. The formal aspects are the beauty of the poem; the poem must be chosen correctly and well. Poetry is one of the prominent symbols of art. Not every woven order is poetry; poetry has its own characteristics; a poem must be chosen. Fortunately, we have good poets; poets who compose about the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) in various languages beautifully and eloquently; and when you are their audience, this demand brings the supply along with it. So good poetry, good melody, and good voice are important. Of course, good melody does not mean imitating the melodies of worldly music that mislead from the path of God; keep this in mind. Some melodies are bad, incorrect, and worldly melodies; these should not be brought into the realm of the profession of eulogy and reciting eulogies. It is not a problem to innovate new forms in reciting and composing various melodies; but avoid this similarity and interference. Of course, I mean the worldly melodies that mislead from the path of God, not every melody that was once sung in another context; we should not prohibit that; no, the melodies that are worldly and mislead from the path of God; do not bring these.

The next issue is the content. The best collection of poetry that can be thought of in a eulogy is that which, firstly, praises the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). Mentioning their virtues brightens hearts, makes them happy, stirs enthusiasm in a person, and brings tears to the eyes. Of course, the intention is for solid virtues. It should not be that a person relies on weak words. All these virtues of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) exist in credible books; they should be utilized; from the sayings of individuals who themselves are trustworthy and credible; like the poem that today one of the gentlemen recited from the late Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Isfahani - may God have mercy on him. Well, this great figure is the master of the jurists. The great jurists and grand sources of emulation are his students in jurisprudence, principles, and philosophy. He was also a poet. Well, this poem can be a reference. Or various narrations that exist in the books of virtues, the biographies of the Imams (peace be upon them), credible virtues. So one section is the section of the virtues of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).

The other section is advice, which can also be taken from the lives of these great figures. Today we are in need of advice. For the growth of ethics in society, for the promotion of good morals, for the elevation of the spirit of empathy, brotherhood, and the purity and fraternity that is desired in a religious society, we need advice. From whom should we learn these? The foundations of ethics are in the words of the Imams (peace be upon them), in the behavior of the Imams (peace be upon them). We should promote ethics in society; invite people to goodwill, hope, cooperation, brotherhood, patience, forbearance, gratitude, charity, selflessness, and forgiveness; and warn people against bad ethics, narrow-mindedness, hopelessness, pessimism, ill-will towards this and that, envy, greed, and other moral vices. This work is much better expressed through the language of poetry than through prose and admonishing language.

A speaker like us sitting down to advise people does not seem to have a deep impact; but when a reader expresses the same content in a beautiful and good poem with a good tone, it is like refreshing water that a person drinks; all the cells of a person's body benefit from this water, it affects the depths of a person's existence. Of course, ethics must be repeated. Speaking has an effect, listening has an effect; but this effect is not permanent and eternal; there are other influences in society that work in the opposite direction. Therefore, ethics must be said repeatedly, again and again.

One section is also awareness and enlightenment regarding life issues. Of course, I do not agree with the idea that in eulogy gatherings, there should be constant attacks on this, slandering that; I do not like these; but enlightenment is good, people should gain awareness. Today, our nation has been able to stand due to awareness. Our nation knows what conspiracies are against it, who is conspiring, what the goal of these conspiracies is, what bothers the Iranian nation; our people know these. The Iranian nation knows that the spirit of faith, Islam, freedom-seeking, independence, and standing firm on the right path has angered the enemy. Our people also know the enemy. We have gradually learned his methods, we have understood what the enemy's methods are. This awareness is very valuable. If this awareness did not exist, our nation would not stand. The propaganda that the enemies do; whether those who directly propagate, or those who broadcast through their loudspeakers and rented horns and spread it through them, all aim to take this awareness away from the people; to confuse the matter for the people; to distance them from their faith, from their Islam, from their steadfastness, from their standing firm on this path, from their correct understanding of life events. Well, a eulogy gathering can dedicate a part of this. Find its poetry, select its sentences. At a suitable moment, sometimes a word can have the effect of a book in hearts. Leave an impact in hearts. I see that fortunately today the community of eulogists has indeed advanced a lot in this regard; now the programs that we have the opportunity to hear, or that are held here, or sometimes we see on television.

The last point is that the owner of the profession of eulogy, who has honored himself by serving and working in this path, if he wants to gather all these characteristics, firstly needs study and work. As the saying goes, without substance, it is flat. There is a need for study, there is a need for work. Of course, our old eulogists were committed to reciting from memory; they considered it bad to read from a text. Today, fortunately, this is not the case. It is not necessary to spend hours memorizing a poem or a piece; no, they can read from a text. The same goes for speakers. In our youth and adolescence, we never saw a speaker take a paper out of his pocket to read a hadith; they considered this bad. The late Mr. Falsafi (may God have mercy on him) broke this wrong tradition; he took a paper out of his pocket and read the narration. Well, he was a top preacher of the country. Now preachers have learned this. In order to read correctly, to read appropriately, to read what they want to read, they take the paper out of their pockets, read the hadith; they read the material they have written; they read the poetry; this has made the work much easier. Eulogy is the same. Therefore, studying, taking notes, having notes, speaking with calculation and study is the first condition.

The second condition is that in your studies, you become familiar with the Quran and hadith. Being familiar with the Quran is necessary for everyone; we recommend this to all, to all the youth of the country. Today, fortunately, this has also happened; one sees among students, among clerics, among non-university and non-seminary youth, elements who are familiar with the Quran; some have even memorized the Quran; some who do not memorize it understand the Quran to some extent; that is, even if they do not know all the details, they understand the content; this is very valuable.

Today, when one compares it with twenty years ago, twenty-five years ago, they see a difference from earth to sky. Many do not realize this. I, because I have paid attention to this issue, have a grasp of it; I know what has happened and is happening in terms of familiarity and connection with the Quran. Previously, our reciters who recited the Quran often did not understand the meanings of the verses; where they should connect, they would disconnect; where they should disconnect, they would connect. Today, this is not the case at all; everyone is familiar. Therefore, our recommendation is this: reciting the Quran, being familiar with the Quran, being familiar with hadith, understanding the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt through hadith, and above all, attention to God Almighty, preserving and strengthening the bond of the heart with the Sacred Essence, with supplication, with intercession, with remembrance, with humility, with supererogatory prayers.

If this bond remains preserved and strengthened, all difficult tasks will gradually be resolved; the main work is this. This bond of connection with the Divine Essence - which is humility, remembrance, and intercession - is also connected and inseparable from the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them); they cannot be separated - "Whoever seeks God begins with you" - but well, the supplications of Sahifa Sajjadiya, the fifteen supplications, and various supplications and invocations purify the heart, clarify the mind, and activate the mind. Many of the teachings are obtained through this.

We hope, God willing, that God grants success. There is much to say, but there is not much time. Today, we were very pleased to visit the gentlemen and to listen to the statements of the esteemed ones.

O Lord! By the right of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, make us among the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). O Lord! Make us true Shia of Lady Zahra (peace be upon her). O Lord! Grant success and victory to the Iranian nation in all arenas. O Lord! For the Muslims, for the Shia of Bahrain, for all the oppressed of the world, hasten their relief. O Lord! Make the sacred heart of the Imam of the Age pleased and satisfied with us; include us in the prayers of that great figure.

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