Message to the Third Seminar on Prayer

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

Thanks be to God that your blessed efforts, you who are engaged in promoting the obligation of prayer, have reached the second anniversary, and such an important task has been joined with persistent and tireless dedication. The secret to success in achieving great and lofty goals is this very persistence and continuity in pursuit. We learn this great lesson from one of the supplications of the Master of the God-conscious, which states: 'Grant me earnestness in fearing You and continuity in connecting with Your service...' Prayer, in the arena of the relentless and inevitable striving to which mankind is commanded, and indeed inclined, is the greatest obligation and the most effective tool. Perhaps some have recognized this characteristic of prayer only in the field of individual striving towards perfection and have not heard of its role in the scene of collective and social struggle and against powerful worldly adversaries. Therefore, it must be understood that steadfastness in all kinds of confrontations depends on hearts and wills being filled with purity, trust, self-confidence, and hope for the outcome, and prayer is a gushing source that pours all this and many other blessings into the heart and soul of the one who prays, making him a person of clear insight, steadfastness, and hopefulness without anxiety. The fact that in the Quran and the exalted words of the Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him and his family), prayer is introduced as a deterrent from indecency and wrongdoing, the ascension of the believer, a means of drawing near to the God-conscious, and in a word, the best institution of religion, and the noble Prophet called it the light of his eyes, should lead us to deeper reflection and understanding of the greatness of prayer. Of course, it is also worth mentioning that prayer is not merely uttering words and performing certain movements. All those blessings and benefits are not expected from producing sound waves and physical actions without the spirit of remembrance and attention being breathed throughout this body, although the minimum obligation is fulfilled with it. The spirit of prayer is the remembrance of God, humility, and presence before Him, and these words and actions, which have been made obligatory on the responsible person by divine teaching, are the best form for that spirit and the closest path to that ultimate destination. Prayer without remembrance and presence is a body without a soul, which, although it is not metaphorically called prayer, neither is the effect and property of prayer expected from it. This truth is discussed in religious texts under the title of 'acceptance of prayer,' and it is stated that from a prayer you perform, only that which is brought with presence and attention is accepted. Now, prayer, an unparalleled gift and an inexhaustible source of grace, is at our disposal, with which we can first make ourselves and then everyone we love a righteous person. This is an open gate to a vast and clear arena. It is a pity that a person spends a lifetime next to a clear paradise and does not enter it, nor directs his loved ones towards it. The divine revelation commanded the great Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): 'And enjoin prayer upon your family and be steadfast in it.' Today, all of you should consider yourselves addressed by this command and recognize the value of prayer, this sacred truth and shining jewel, which is a divine gift to the nation of Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him and his family). In this duty, everyone has a special share: fathers and mothers should encourage and guide their children to prayer with their words and deeds. Teachers should move school and university students towards this shining truth. Scholars and respected clergy should consider leading congregational prayers in educational centers and student residences as a valuable opportunity for the new generation. Textbook authors should include the secrets, symbols, and lessons of prayer in textbooks. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the Organization of Islamic Propaganda, and the radio and television should use art, especially cinema, to show the essence of prayer and the face of the one who prays. Dear artists should engage the skilled hand of art in such a worthy task with poetry, stories, paintings, and other artistic creations of quality, even outstanding ones. In schools, teachers and principals, and in all centers, officials should encourage those who pray by their presence in the rows of prayer. In scientific, cultural, educational, and promotional gatherings, prayer should be performed on time as an inspiration for sincerity and guidance. Religious writers and speakers should speak and write about prayer, its concept, philosophy, purpose, effects, and blessings, and its rulings. People should enliven mosques by attending congregational prayers, which is the best way to perform prayer. In all public buildings and places where people naturally gather, such as airports, train stations, ports, public vehicle terminals, government offices, and city parks, prayer rooms or mosques should be built, and in addition, people should consider any clean and suitable land as a mosque at the time of prayer and stand for prayer there. There is such work for everyone and every group of people, and everyone should search and find their share of this universal obligation and take hold of it. In such a situation, our Islamic society will have been able to establish prayer and become the embodiment of this noble verse: 'Those who, if We establish them in the land, establish prayer and give zakat and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and to God belongs the outcome of all matters.' I pray for the success of all Muslims in correctly fulfilling this divine duty.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings

Sayyid Ali Khamenei

16/6/72