Statements of His Eminence on the Birth of the Noble Prophet (PBUH) and Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (AS)

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

I congratulate this great and blessed holiday to the entire Islamic Ummah, especially to the great Muslim nation of Iran and to you, esteemed attendees of this gathering. In human terms, the blessedness of a birth is determined by the effects that arise from that birth, whether directly or indirectly. If this measure is indeed a correct one - and it is - we must say that the most blessed birth in the course of history is that of the sacred Prophet of Islam, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him and his family. These blessings begin from the moment of birth; this is not surprising. Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him, declared his blessedness from the very first hours or days of his birth: "And He made me blessed wherever I may be". The same applies to our Prophet.

What history has recorded, such as the collapse of the palace of Kisra or the extinguishing of the ancient fire temple - and similar signs and indicators that have been documented - all serve as good tidings of the blessings of this great being. Everything that has existed in this world based on the dominance of polytheism, disbelief, tyranny, oppression, and division among human beings must gradually be eliminated due to the blessings of this noble and unparalleled human being. What that great figure undertook in terms of action and struggle was the heaviest part of this task. The beginning of this path and the commencement of this invitation were considered the most important aspects of this endeavor.

The problem of the world at that time was that people and social classes everywhere had become accustomed to the dominance of powers other than God, to the tyranny of tyrants, to oppression, and to class divisions. Who should stand against these manifestations? Naturally, the oppressed. When the oppressed themselves believe that the dominance of oppression should be established, the hope for reform disappears. Awakening the people, awakening the world, and awakening humanity was the great task of the Noble Prophet and the prophetic invitation; "He is but a reminder for the worlds". This reminder is a call, a warning, an awakening for all of humanity. The place where that great figure took on this awakening was among the most difficult of circumstances. Tribalism, personal issues, and various individualities made his task difficult. That great figure endured great struggles to open this human deadlock and to break this immense rock. Since then, until today, every movement made by anyone has been in the pursuit of that great figure and in continuation of that path, aided by the efforts of this noble human being.

It is not only Muslims who have benefited from the prophetic teachings. Today's knowledge, today's civilization, the understanding that exists in this world, and the advancement of humanity's caravan are all indebted to his existence. This is not merely a claim of us Muslims. All historians and fair-minded individuals acknowledge that the emergence of scientific awakening in the Islamic world led to this awakening being transferred to other parts of the world through interactions, even through conquests and wars they waged. The knowledge and thoughts of humanity, and the matters that people today pay attention to - such as human rights, human freedom, equality among human beings, and brotherhood among humanity - are all gifts from this great human being. In Islam, what resulted from this great movement was the establishment of an Islamic system. These teachings were not merely to preach to the people; rather, they were meant to arrange the shape and framework of human society in such a way that movement within that framework towards these goals would be easy and without obstacles; and that is the Islamic system.

Today, thanks be to God, Islamic societies have become aware of the importance of the Islamic system. Over the years, many writers and speakers, along with numerous hearts, have turned their attention to this direction. The Islamic awakening has begun; Islamic societies have become aware of the importance of this treasure that is at their disposal; of course, in proportion to this, the enmity of the enemies of Islam has also increased. They are constantly engaged in sowing discord and division among Muslim nations, trying to provoke ethnicities and nationalities, pulling each group in a different direction. This indicates that the enemy has realized that Islamic awareness and Islamic awakening in the Muslim-populated world is making its impact. The truth is indeed this. Certainly, this feeling will lead the Islamic nations towards the Islamic system and towards the formation of a united Islamic Ummah; this is an inevitable future. These hostilities will have no effect. The power of Islam is greater than these matters; just as in Islamic Iran, the point that no one could have imagined was that the immense Islamic power was able to unite the people, bring hearts closer together, and make Islamic faith the backbone of this movement, establishing an Islamic system here. This is something that has occurred.

Critics of the Islamic Republic search for weaknesses. Perhaps some of the weaknesses we know better than the critics themselves. A person knows their own flaws better than others. The issue is not whether the Islamic Republic has weaknesses or not - of course it does - the issue is that despite these weaknesses, something has been accomplished and an event has occurred that is the greatest event in the course of recent centuries in the Islamic world; namely, the establishment of an Islamic government; the dominance of religious laws; the dominance of Islamic values; the raising of the flag of the Quran and the formation of a society based on Islamic teachings. This is what is important. Of course - without a doubt - weaknesses do exist. These weaknesses and shortcomings of ours impose themselves on this society and on the Islamic system. We must strive to reduce our weaknesses and strengthen and complete the Islamic system. What the enemy does not want, Muslims must pay attention to. This is the essence of the matter.

Establishing such a system in the material world, amidst all this enmity against Islam, is truly a miracle. This miracle will happen again, and once more the Islamic Ummah will be formed. This is also a great miracle that will take place. Of course, the enemy will not remain idle. Inside our country, through radio waves and intellectual and cultural efforts, they try to undermine the faith of the people - that is the essence of the matter. Of course, they have not succeeded so far, and by the grace of God, they will never be able to. Islamic faith is very strong, deep, and far more resilient than these words. They cling to weaknesses in order to undermine the essence; while these matters are unrelated. The enemy exerts its efforts and aims to shake people's faith in the dominance of religion, in the fact that religion has a political system, and in the usefulness and effectiveness of this system. These are extensive efforts; they are not limited to today. For twenty years, the enemies have been making these efforts; however, the flow of Islam and the Islamic movement and the Islamic system flows like a fluid and abundant river, and every now and then, it removes and eliminates these impurities, obstacles, and hindrances from its path. It will do the same now. The impurities and obstacles that do not want this clear and flowing current to progress will not withstand the onslaught of this current and will fall aside and be repelled, and this current will continue.

What is important is that we do not lose our hope, reliance, and good opinion of God, of this religion, of these teachings, and of these laws. This is the essence. What leads to progress is the deepening of faith, hope, and assurance. The enemy wants to undermine this. Be vigilant; especially you, the elites, you, the officials, you, the intellectuals, you, the speakers, you, the esteemed scholars, and you, the esteemed university members. See that the enemy wants to undermine faith, hope, and assurance. Your duty is to strengthen faith, hope, and assurance; the rest of the work will be done by this religion with its power and this Islamic faith with its capability. We follow the current of religion; we do not intend to lead this current; who are we?! The enemy thinks that this current is dependent on individuals. Who am I or people like me to lead this current?! It is this current that carries us along with it. By God's grace, this current has occurred and advanced; it will not be halted; the enemy is wasting its time. The grace of the Lord has been with us since the beginning of the revolution, and we have clearly seen the hand of divine power; we have clearly felt the favors of the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him, and in various matters, what has been promised to us - "Like a seed that sprouts and grows strong and stands upright on its stalk"; and the embodiment of that is this movement of you, the Muslim people - has been realized.

We hope that God, God willing, will bestow His blessings, favors, and bounties upon the pure soul of our great Imam - who was the initiator of this work and the true leader of this path and our real guide and pioneer - and may He grant the pure souls of the martyrs, who made this movement easier with their lives, a share of His vast mercy, and God willing, may He bestow His blessings upon the great nation of Iran - especially upon the self-sacrificers - and may He grant success and support to the esteemed officials of the system who, thanks be to God, are diligently engaged in their work.

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