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

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

I also congratulate the great Islamic nation, especially the esteemed nation of Iran, and you honorable attendees - the officials and servants of various sectors of the country - as well as the dear guests who are in Islamic Iran during these days, on the auspicious and blessed birth of the great mercy of God, the Seal of the Prophets, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him and his family, and Imam Sadiq, peace be upon him.

Commemorating the Prophet Muhammad is not merely a formality. While such formalities among Muslim nations are valuable and even necessary, the matter is more profound than that. Today, the Islamic world, especially in reviving the memory of the great Prophet of Islam, is more in need than ever; humanity also needs this blessed name, this blessed memory, and these blessed teachings. However, before we address all of humanity, the Islamic world must recognize this immense spiritual capital. Just as nations have slept hungry on their unknown material resources for centuries until others came and plundered them, today the Islamic world, alongside its immense spiritual treasures, grapples with numerous problems. Yet, these great treasures and resources can save and assist it.

A great figure stated decades ago: "Islam is based on two pillars: the word of monotheism and the unity of word." These two are the fundamental bases of Islam: first, the word of monotheism, and then the unity of word; the latter returns to the former, meaning that the unity of word revolves around monotheism. Today, we need this slogan more than ever; a return to the word of monotheism and to the unity of word.

Whatever hardships and calamities befall Muslims and Muslim nations today stem from losing the thread of life under the shadow of monotheism. Monotheism is not merely a mental concept; it is a reality, a system, and a guideline for life. Monotheism instructs us on how to interact with our friends, how to deal with our enemies, how to behave in society, and how to live. Some believe that faith in monotheism pertains only to the afterlife; whereas, belief in monotheism is what constructs this world and shapes life. Today, we need this; Islamic nations need this.

The more we advance towards monotheism and servitude to God, the more the evil of tyrants and the arrogant powers will diminish from our heads. The Muslim nation of Iran, to the extent that it has progressed along the path of monotheism, is today free from the long arms and overreaching hands of America and other arrogant powers; it is free from their do's and don'ts. This is the essence of monotheism and the essence of servitude to God. A servant of God cannot reconcile servitude to God with servitude to others and being subservient to others. This is the first pillar.

The second pillar is the unity of word. Muslim nations must unite. One of the greatest calamities facing the Islamic world today is that the enemies of Islam have made what should be a means of uniting Muslims - namely, the existence of the enemy, the usurping Zionists - a source of their division! They have caused some Muslim governments to use this as a means to position themselves against their brothers, leading to real discord; whereas, the presence of such an enemy in the heart of Islamic countries should bring Muslims closer together, forming a united front and creating a single hand. This sin also stems from the interventions and encroachments of global arrogance. If it were not for the support of global arrogance, primarily the United States, for the occupiers of Palestine and the international terrorists concentrated in the heart of Islamic countries - namely, the current rulers of the illegitimate Israeli government - they would not have the power to remain. The same is true today.

Americans cannot be mediators in the Palestinian issue; they cannot be intermediaries. They are parties to the matter; they stand against Islamic governments and Islamic nations. This has been demonstrated in recent years. Right now, in the face of this great catastrophe that the Zionists are instigating - namely, the renewed usurpation of Al-Quds, the renewed usurpation of the Qibla of Muslims - it is the support of America that has emboldened them; otherwise, they would not have dared. If it were not for American support, Islamic governments would have dealt with these tyrants adequately. Even now, if Islamic countries and governments unite, they would suffice.

The main enmity of America towards the Islamic Republic of Iran is due to two reasons: one is adherence to Islam, and the other is a decisive stance on the Palestinian issue. Everyone should know this; everyone in the world should know. The reason that America behaves so audaciously, aggressively, angrily, and spitefully towards the Islamic Republic of Iran is these two issues: Islam and the stance on the Palestinian issue; a clear and decisive stance that has not changed since the very first day of the revolution and has become clearer and more evident day by day. All pressures on the Islamic Republic of Iran are for these two reasons: to abandon Islam and to withdraw from the governance of the sacred Islamic laws and to change the stance on the Palestinian issue. As long as these positions exist, America will not have a clear heart towards us. The seemingly mild tones we have observed recently are partly a typical hypocritical political maneuver; partly due to a misinterpretation of the internal situation in Iran. They do not understand what is happening in Iran; they make incorrect analyses, draw wrong conclusions, and make erroneous divisions.

Today, thanks to God, despite the efforts of divisive hands, our nation, our government, our officials, and the entire body of servants of this country are all united in one front and one faction, which is the faction of Islam and the revolution and the clear line of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified). The officials stand firm and protect. Our service-oriented government, our dear president, our truly national and popular parliament, our judicial bodies, and the vast masses of the people are all aligned in one line and one faction. These imaginary divisions that foreign radios promote, and some interpret and analyze, and some believe, are like bubbles and foam on the surface of flowing water. The authentic current is, "And what benefits people will remain on the earth" {Quran 13:17}.

This is it; everyone is in one faction, and there is no division between the people and between the officials. Unity means gathering around the fundamental principles, and this is fully present in Iran today.

Yes; we have an enemy. The wounded from the revolution who faced the revolution in its early years have not vanished from the face of the earth - they exist - and they are also making the same mistakes as their American friends; they misunderstand the internal situation, misinterpret it, and make mistakes. As a result of this mistake, they engage in actions that further expose them and will ultimately be detrimental to them; they may not realize it for a while, but they will understand later.

Our nation is united; the nation with the government, the government with the nation, and the officials among themselves. This unity of word along the line of Islam and the revolution is what angers the enemy. I tell you, the officials, the servants of the country, and all segments of this nation to appreciate this. Your dignity is in this unity. Your greatness in the eyes of the enemy is due to this unity. The feeling of helplessness that you see the enemy exhibiting is because of this unity; maintain it.

The enemy tempts. They have done so since the beginning of the revolution; it is not specific to today. Since the beginning of the revolution, they have spread rumors, fabricated stories, and repeatedly talked about divisions. Today is no different from other times. The will of the nation and the will of the devoted and concerned officials and those enamored with Islam and servitude to God have always triumphed over all of this. Today, by God's grace, it will triumph again. The Islamic world must move towards such unity. Unity means solidarity and unity on principles.

The agents of global arrogance in the world should not think that Iran stands alone in supporting Palestine. Their effort is to convey this message. No, Iran is not alone. All Islamic nations have their hearts in this direction and on this line; their hearts are directed towards the salvation of Palestine and the defense of the Palestinian nation. Intellectuals of the Islamic world, scholars of the Islamic world, prominent figures of the Islamic world, many politicians and leaders and officials of the Islamic world think this way. Iran is not alone. Even if we were alone, we would stand firm; but it is a mistake to think that Iran is alone. No, all nations' hearts are with us; all are disgusted and repulsed by the Zionists; they are disgusted and repulsed by the supporters of the Zionists. Today, Zionism is a defeated ideology in the world. They thought they could do this; but they have not been able to; until now, they have not been able to and will not be able to. They wanted to eliminate the Palestinian nation and consign it to oblivion; but they have not succeeded.

Today, the Palestinian nation is more awake than at any time in the past fifty years. If the people of Palestine had half the awareness they have today during the years of forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven, and forty-eight - the years of that great catastrophe - this event would not have occurred. Today, the people of Palestine are awake and will become even more so and will resist. Zionism will not withstand the wave of increasing Palestinian generations. Zionism and the usurping and illegitimate Zionist government in Palestine are doomed to perish. The people of Palestine must seek help from the Almighty God, ask for assistance, and rely on God. Palestinian youth, Lebanese youth, all youth of the Islamic world, and all intellectuals should follow this path. God willing, the Almighty God will bestow His grace and blessings upon us. We hope, God willing, that what we say, what we strive for, and what we do will be in accordance with God's pleasure and mercy.

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