Statements of His Eminence in Meeting with Officials and Various Segments of People on the Birth of the Prophet (PBUH) and Imam Sadiq (AS)

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

I also extend my congratulations on this blessed day, the birth of the Prophet of Light and Freedom and the epitome of human dignity, as well as the birth of his noble son, Imam Jafar Sadiq (peace be upon him), to all Muslims worldwide, to the dear nation of Iran, and to you, esteemed attendees and guests.

The birth of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) is significant for us Muslims from several perspectives. It is a very meaningful and profound anniversary. The first aspect is that the birth of that great figure occurred at a time in the world and history when humanity as a whole—not a specific nation or people of a particular country—had two prominent characteristics. One of these characteristics was that, scientifically, rationally, and intellectually, humanity was very advanced compared to its past eras. Philosophers had emerged among them, and scientists, mathematicians, doctors, great engineers, and civilizations had been established. These civilizations could not have existed without knowledge! Academies in the West, Hegmataneh in the East, Chinese civilization, Egyptian civilization, and great historical civilizations had all passed. In other words, humanity had become complete. This is one characteristic.

The second characteristic, which is quite astonishing when combined with the first, is that humanity at that time was morally more degraded than ever before, or if we do not wish to express it in this way, we must say: it was at the peak of degradation. This same humanity, endowed with knowledge and science, was severely trapped in prejudices, superstitions, selfishness, oppression, and the machinery of tyrannical and anti-human governments. Such a situation prevailed in the world. If one examines history, one will see that all of humanity was captive during that era. As stated in the words of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), "In trials that trampled them with their hooves and crushed them with their claws and stood on their forelocks." In the utmost turmoil, pressure, and fratricide, humanity lived a bitter life. "Their sleep was wakefulness." In this same sermon, the Commander of the Faithful says, "Comfortable sleep did not come to the eyes of the people."

It is a mistake if someone thinks that these problems were specific to the Arabian Peninsula; no. In the cradle of civilization of that time, namely in the Roman Empire of that day, if you look, the same issues existed. There, too, where they claimed to have democracy and a Senate, tyranny and corruption ruled over the people, and when you read the books about it, you feel ashamed. One is embarrassed that humanity was in such degradation at one time. Our ancient Iran was no better than Rome in this regard. They, too, had power, swords, spears, warfare, and bravery, but they also had boundless class differences, oppression, discrimination, corruption, tyranny, ignorance, and superstition. In such conditions, this blessed birth and this divine messenger came into existence to save humanity.

The fact that it is mentioned in works and histories that the arches of the palace of Khosrow broke and the signs of idolatry and polytheism around the world were shaken, if these effects are certain, perhaps it is the divine display of power to announce the symbolic presence of this power that is supposed to break all the foundations of oppression and corruption and cleanse and adorn knowledge from superstition and civilization from corruption and oppression. This is what our great Prophet did. This sacred birth, at the time of his great mission, faced such a world and, with a very difficult struggle, prevented humanity from ignorance, superstitions, corruption, oppression, destructive prejudices, human tyranny over one another, and the oppression of humans and their riding on each other's shoulders. He completely transformed the human condition. He created a new order and a new situation in the world. It is evident that the task of the Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him and his family) was not to reform the entire world. No! That great figure had to take this practical model, this correct example from divine revelation, and give it to humanity so that humanity could use it throughout its life and benefit from it moment by moment. Who applied it and who wasted it is another discussion. That great figure fulfilled his mission completely and completed his work and joined the divine mercy.

Today, too, this anniversary is important because we must pay attention to the fact that the world is both scientifically advanced and morally in a deep abyss. The world has reached a point where the oppressive powers of the world, in front of the eyes of the world's people, make the known unknown and the unknown known! In my opinion, in the world of corruption and human ruin, there is nothing greater than this. When the Noble Prophet, according to the narration, said: "There will be those who command the wrong and forbid the right," and when people were surprised, he said: "The wrong will become known"; one feels that today, too, in the world, such a situation is created by the unbridled, arrogant, domineering power of global arrogance. They openly lie to the people and consider this lie a sacred act! They encourage oppression and consider the oppressor entitled because of this oppression! They blame the oppressed and strike the oppressed and consider this striking of the oppressed a good deed!

Today, the world has become like this. A group has gone and usurped Palestine and has not been content with the usurpation of Palestine. They have continuously subjected Palestinian Muslims to pressure, displacement, killing, humiliation, and degradation for over forty years. This is a clear wrong. Who is there that if someone enters your home and strikes you, would not condemn him?! The oppressor must be condemned. Today, you observe: European powers, America, and their lackeys; those whose beards are in the hands of these powers and whose shoulders are under their burden; governments that have come to power at the behest of America and have no connection with their own people, have all joined hands to approve the actions of this oppressor who has committed and continues to commit this clear oppression. On the other hand, when the desperate, exhausted Palestinian and Lebanese Muslim youth engage in jihad against this oppressor and tyrant, which is considered a commendable act by all the wise of the world, voices rise from all sides saying, "These are terrorists; these are oppressors! Why did you kill?! Why did you strike?! Why did you not surrender?! Why did you not compromise?!"

There can be no greater corruption in this world than this! This is corruption! "It will be filled with oppression and tyranny" means this! A group gathered in Europe in the former Yugoslavia and besieged a group of people from the same region, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who belong there, are from there, not immigrants, not themselves, but their ancestors, people who belong to that land and are of the same race, besieged them, dropped bombs on their heads, destroyed their lives, expelled them, killed thousands of them, looted their properties, inflicted the worst calamities on them in camps, and even violated their honor; meanwhile, these gentlemen who claim to defend human rights, women's rights, animal rights, children's rights, and these lies that are prevalent in today's world, sat and watched! The only action they took was to besiege the area so that weapons would not reach them!

Amazing! The armed Croats and Serbs, who do not need anyone's weapons, have come and besieged an unarmed people, and you come and encircle them so that no one brings weapons to this area?! What does this mean?! Is it not shamelessness to call this "peace-seeking"?! Is this peace-seeking or the massacre of those poor Muslims?! This is the great wrong in the world, this is the great corruption. Now, for almost two years, this issue of Muslim-killing in the former Yugoslavia region has been ongoing. During these two years, they have only talked. Those who wanted to act seriously were not allowed. We were serious about this issue. Both our people, our youth, our government, and our country's institutions, by God, were all ready for all the actions they could take. Some other Islamic countries were also serious. We also saw with our own eyes that, indeed, some Islamic countries were serious about this issue and did not consider America and others. Those who were serious were kept behind the line because the region is in their hands.

Gentlemen! Iranians! Muslims! People of the world! Know that they wanted to do the same thing in the Iran-Iraq war, but they could not. Their wish was that the calamity that befell the Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Europe would befall the Muslims of Iran here. They wanted the same calamity to befall the Muslim Afghans in Afghanistan. They wished for this and wanted it, but they could not. Now, there, their nails are stuck to these poor people of their own region who are also Europeans. This is the state of the world and the moral corruption of the world.

Of course, science has advanced. Some sit and look at the scientific advancements of America and other places and feel envious. Scientific advancement is certainly praiseworthy. The scientific backwardness of backward countries is certainly a disgrace, and may God subject those who brought these disgraces upon Muslim nations to increasing punishment, and may God's curse be upon the ominous and disgraceful dynasties of Pahlavi and Qajar who brought this misery upon our nation over the past two hundred years. Otherwise, we were far ahead of America scientifically; we were far ahead of Europe scientifically at one time. These same sultans, these same tyrannical governments, these same Pharaohs and tyrants; these same ones whose remnants and dregs publish magazines and newspapers here and there and talk about everything, did not allow this nation to progress alongside the nations of the world, rather ahead of them. Yes; scientific backwardness is regrettable. The solution is for the youth, the elders, the scientists, and the officials, all and all, to strive and fill this gap. But the fact that a certain country has scientific advancement does not mean the salvation of that country and that nation. Know this. There are many nations that are at the peak scientifically today, but they are immersed up to their necks in filth and corruption. Even now in the world, under big names and under the umbrella of superpower, such nations live. Know this. In those countries, women are miserable; men are wretched; youth are destroyed. The hands of corruption, vice, addiction, crime, and all the arts of human misery are rampant there. However, the advertising cover does not allow these atrocities and corruptions to be exposed. When a powerful loudspeaker is in the hands of an ignorant and oppressive person, among thousands who do not have a loudspeaker, even if among those thousands there are scholars and learned people, the voice of this one will prevail over all of them. Today, the world is like this.

Today, the world's propaganda network is in the hands of the Zionists. These well-known news agencies, most of them are Zionists. What will the Zionists say about Islam? What will they say about the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic? What will they say about the power that stands by the issue of Palestine and the Palestinian cause? It is clear that from head to toe, it is either insults or accusations. If it is not, one should be surprised. This is one point about today that took a long time.

The second point I will briefly mention is the issue of unity. My dear ones! Muslims of the world, under the name of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), can unite more easily and simply than anything else. This is the characteristic of that great figure. I have said many times: "That great figure is the gathering and meeting point of the emotions of Muslims. A Muslim loves his Prophet." O God! You are a witness that our hearts are filled with love for the Prophet. This love must be utilized. This love is a path-opener. Today, Muslims need brotherhood and fraternity. Today, the slogan "The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers" is more serious than ever. Today, this weakness and humiliation that Muslims in some countries in the world are experiencing is due to this division and discord. If Muslims were united, Palestine would not be like this. Bosnia would not be like that. Kashmir would not be like that. Tajikistan would not be like this. Muslims in Europe would not live in such hardship. Muslims in America would not be subjected to such tyranny. The reason is that we have differences among ourselves.

The Islamic Republic was the caller of unity; all the arrogant powers attacked the Islamic Republic! Of course, the Islamic Republic, single-handedly, overcame all of them. Why? Because it was the caller of unity, and they are enemies of unity. The unity of Muslims is detrimental to them; therefore, they try to break unity. I say: Shia and Sunni scholars, wherever they are in the world, including in our dear country, must be careful. This unity in Iran has been achieved at a high cost. This call for unity in the world has been established at a high cost. Do not break it easily! Whoever breaks it has betrayed; whoever it may be. It does not matter whether they are Sunni or Shia.

The fact that Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) was able to honor Islam was due to creating a sense of unity among Muslims. Muslims in the farthest corners of the world moved in the name of the Imam. They did not think, "What is my sect?" "I am Sunni, he is Shia." "He is Sunni, I am Shia." This state is harmful to the enemy. The enemy wants to break this. Now, if a friend breaks this, what then? If instead of the arrogant powers, we ourselves, with our talking, with our writing, with our speaking, break this unity, separate Shia from Sunni, Sunni from Shia, what happens? After they are separated, it comes to the Sunni sects: this sect from that sect, the followers of these principles from the followers of those principles, the followers of these branches from the followers of those branches. Then it comes to the Shia: this sect from that sect, this group from that group! Will they spare anyone? Why should we move according to the enemy's wishes? The reason Imam emphasized the issue of "unity" so much is that this is not an emotional issue. This is a rational issue. Whoever insults the sanctities of the other sect, if they deal with the other sect with violence and insult, to the extent of their influence, they have struck this unity; whoever it may be.

Of course, I have a book from the books that with the petrodollars of the anti-Shia world-illuminators, it must be said anti-Islam and anti-Quran, have been written against Shia, against the Imam, and against the revolution, and a copy of it has reached us here so that we can just look and see what they are doing? What should be done in response? All these blessed and sincere efforts for approximation are being made, this very Assembly for Proximity that we have here, or the other efforts being made in the world for approximation, should we abandon all of them because an ignorant or a malicious or a mercenary has made a move?! Instead of exposing, should we start counteracting, insulting, creating division?! Is this correct?! This is exactly what the commemoration of the birth of the Noble Prophet forbids.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, guide the Islamic Ummah towards success and prosperity! Make us aware of our duties. Unite the sacred spirit of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) with the Prophet. Unite the dear martyrs of this path with the martyrs of the early Islam. Make us aware of our duties! Make the sacred heart of the Guardian of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) pleased with us.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings