Statements by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Representatives of the Seventh Term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly

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

First of all, I welcome my dear brothers and sisters - the esteemed representatives of the Seventh Parliament - and I consider this meeting, with God's assistance, a blessed one. I hope that God blesses your presence in the Islamic Consultative Assembly and your legislative position, both for yourselves and for the people of Iran.

I would like to once again thank our dear nation for their intelligent and conscious presence at the ballot boxes for the Seventh Parliament. A great act, stemming from sincere understanding and feeling, was accomplished; the Iranian nation did not allow the Islamic Republic to be without a parliament and without a legislative authority for even a single day, according to the wishes of the claimants and enemies of this system. I also thank you, dear representatives, for your responsiveness to our remarks at the beginning of the parliament and the message we sent to you. This mutual desire and the intertwining of wills around lofty and great aspirations is a very blessed thing. I also thank Mr. Dr. Haddad Adel for his statements today, which were of excellent quality in both word and meaning, and are entirely correct and desirable.

I would like to mention a sentence in relation to the verse that our dear brother recited here - "And whatever you have been given is but a temporary enjoyment of worldly life, and what is with Allah is better and everlasting". Whatever worldly achievements you have, the benefit of life is fleeting and passes in the blink of an eye; it is not lasting. This benefit is not just money. These opportunities, these responsibilities, these dignities and positions that come to me and you, in terms of the relationship of these responsibilities with ourselves, are the same. Being a member of parliament is one of these things - "And whatever you have been given is but a temporary enjoyment of worldly life" - if the goal in this work is God, then "what is with Allah is better and everlasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord". If our goal from being a member of parliament and from governmental responsibilities and from occupying various positions - from where you are seated to where I am seated, to where the government is seated, to where various officials are seated in different ranks - is merely this apparent dignity and superficial benefits (which is also empty, the essence of this is nothing; it appears to be a benefit, but it is not real benefit) - undoubtedly, we have been deceived; because we give something in return for what we receive. Throughout your life, you do not receive anything unilaterally; you receive something, you give something. What we receive is the very things that come to us throughout life - from knowledge, from spirituality, from money, from status, from showing off in the eyes of people, from popularity, and so on - what we give is more important than all of these, and that is our life and time; "Indeed, man is in loss". In return for all our achievements, we continuously and unceasingly give something, and that is our time and opportunity in this world; this is coming to an end. Our main capital is gradually diminishing; like ice that a person holds in their hand and melts away. This capital must be converted into an enduring asset. You say that the extracted oil is the national capital and should not be spent on daily sustenance; it must be converted into a lasting asset. The same applies to you and me. We are giving an irreplaceable capital - that is, our life; we must receive a capital in return that remains for us. This prestige, this popularity, this political position, and this money do not last for a person; what remains is "what is with Allah"; this is "better and everlasting"; this is what lasts. The goal of representation must be this; in this case, you will not suffer loss; whether your popularity remains in the eyes of the people or not; whether you are elected in the next term or not; whether in this term many burdens are placed on your shoulders or not; whatever happens, it is for your good; "In the path, whatever comes to the seeker is for their good". Whatever happens is for your good; why? Because you are conducting a profitable transaction. If you want to work for God, your sitting, your standing, your signing, your speech, your approval, your rejection, must be for the fulfillment of duty. Because it is for the fulfillment of duty, it will be recorded in the divine court; "Nothing small or great is left out except that it is recorded"; everything is accounted for; things that we forget. When we are in utmost need, they deliver it to us with profit; thus, we have not suffered loss. Apart from this, whatever we do, we have been deceived; I am the same, you are the same; there is no difference between us in this regard.

Now, regarding the relationship of responsibility with the content and essence of this responsibility. Of course, there are duties upon a person, and if we observe these duties, what we have said will be achieved. The most important thing regarding the Islamic Consultative Assembly is that this assembly is a manifestation of religious democracy. The model that the Islamic system presented to the world regarding religious democracy and introduced in the global political arena has undoubtedly proven to be a successful experience. What influences both the vote and will and personality and desire of the people in shaping the future of society, and the framework of this movement, is the spiritual and divine values, which is precisely what humanity needs today and suffers from its absence. These wars, arrogances, injustices, class divides, plundering of nations' wealth, and the strange poverty that prevails over a large portion of the world's population are all due to the absence of spirituality. These corruptions and feelings of emptiness and debauchery and promiscuity that are observed among various generations of humanity worldwide are all due to a lack of spirituality. A hundred years ago, two hundred years ago, three hundred years ago, they started the work; today, the bitter results of that are manifesting themselves. Like all historical events whose effects are not immediately apparent, over time - like diseases that are slow to appear and slow to heal or are incurable - they manifest themselves in the world. Despite the immense wealth that many of the so-called advanced countries of the world have today - all this money, all this wealth, all this knowledge, all this technology, all these various scientific intricacies in human life - humanity does not feel happiness, justice, and prosperity; poverty is not eradicated; this is due to a lack of spirituality. We, the Iranian nation, have come to embed spirituality in a substantive, principled, and root-based manner - not as a burden or a mere formality - in our new model. Religious democracy is this. The manifestation of this religious democracy is the Islamic Consultative Assembly; it is both "consultative" and "Islamic"; it is both the choice of the people and has an Islamic orientation, which is evident in multiple principles of the Constitution and in the oath of representation. This model is unparalleled. Of course, it is natural that they would propagate against it - to use a market expression - to undermine it and try to devalue it; this is a well-known trick. In the world, the highest achievements and cultural legacies of a nation are sometimes belittled, and that nation is made to despise those achievements; this is a well-known practice in the world; however, the truth of the matter is what we feel. The parliament is the most important manifestation of religious democracy; therefore, do not neglect your position. Be aware of where this place is and what the Islamic Consultative Assembly means. Do not overlook the importance of decisions and positions in this assembly. This is the center and pinnacle, and in a sense, the showcase of the Islamic system that is in front of the eyes.

We are not satisfied with merely having the Islamic Consultative Assembly. We have had the Islamic Consultative Assembly for nearly twenty-five years. We must find and pursue a mechanism that allows the parliament to grow and progress day by day in this correct direction; its efficiency and impact in the country must increase so that it can truly influence and elevate the overall movement of the country through the creation of laws and appropriate oversight and correct positioning; especially since the enemies of the Islamic system have always desired a parliament without a role; a parliament that has no impact or has a negative impact. No, the parliament must be influential, prominent, active, and have a role; all efforts must be directed towards this. We are also not satisfied with merely saying that we have a parliament like those countries that carry the name democracy; no, those parliaments, alongside the strengths they may have - and they must have; no institution is without strengths and weaknesses - also have fundamental weaknesses; we must avoid their fundamental weaknesses.

I remember that in the early days of the revolution, Imam frequently reminded us that in other parliaments around the world, there are disgraceful conflicts and brawls; however, they boasted that in our parliament, these things do not exist; there are debates and discussions. This is important. We must see what others do that is considered a weakness; we must avoid that. In many parliaments of capitalist countries, it is common and prevalent for representatives to openly express and demonstrate that they are guardians of the interests of companies, cartels, trusts, and various corporations; they have no shame in this. The purposes and interests defined by large companies and major financial centers - from which the greatest injustices in the world arise - are pursued in parliaments for legislation and aligning their work; this is their greatest weakness. A representative of the people must be a representative of the masses; especially, they must represent those who need their representative's presence in the decision-making and policy-making levels of the country the most; those whose hands do not reach anywhere and who suffer from greater deprivation. Therefore, first and foremost, define your representation as that of the deprived people.

A very important point is that you must utilize all the working capacity of the parliament. If one day an institution wants to evaluate the most successful parliament in Iran after the revolution, undoubtedly, the most successful parliament is the one that has been able to utilize all its working capacity. The capacity for legislation is one of the very important capacities. The tools of oversight are in your hands. Do not underestimate the Court of Audit. I have repeatedly told officials and those involved in previous parliaments to take the Court of Audit very seriously; this is a very important tool. I also convey this point to you. Of course, some listened, and some did not; but you should listen. The Court of Audit is very important. The vast budget of this nation is the only major public income that is allocated to the institutions; it must be clear how this budget is spent. The issue of budget discharge and determining the accuracy of the work done is one of your most important oversight tools; do not neglect this. If you want to use oversight tools, direct all your efforts to ensure that your relationship with the executive bodies and those under your oversight is legal. Some distorted relationships are absolutely detrimental to you. We do not want to refer to anyone or anything or any group; however, it is conceivable that between some representatives and some of the supervised bodies, distorted and incorrect relationships may arise. This will certainly distort oversight and take away the immense power that the law has granted to the parliament; then the parliament will no longer be influential.

Another important issue is the political position of the parliament. You are the representatives and essence of the nation. Your positioning on political and international issues, in a sense, reflects the positioning of the Iranian nation. This positioning can take two forms: sometimes it can encourage the enemy to hope for more intervention; it can embolden them against the Islamic system, making them audacious, demanding, and greedy; it can also be the exact opposite; they may feel that among the Iranian nation and its representatives, there is firmness, steadfastness, awareness of interests and benefits, standing firm on national interests and benefits, and incompatibility with those whose entire effort is to toy with national interests and find a way to dominate this nation. Today, our problem with the enemies we are in conflict with in the world is this; dear brothers and sisters! There exists a highly valuable and profitable point in a very sensitive geopolitical - political and military - location in the world called Iran, which has been under the control of arrogant powers for many years - one day Russia, one day England, one day America - then this nation, relying on a thought and will, freed this country from their clutches; they want to regain control; all the conflict is over this. We are not in conflict with anyone. To those who want to regain control over us, we say no, you are mistaken; we will not allow it. The conflict of the Islamic system with those who challenge this system is over this issue; there is no other problem. All countries in the world have coercive and natural interactions with each other - these are not important - what is important is that the Iranian nation and the Islamic system stand firm and want to defend their identity, independence, and national dignity. Some want to encroach upon this will and determination; the conflict is over this. The parliament must have a clear position in this fundamental, decisive, and fateful conflict; because you are the representatives of this nation. You see this nation in elections, in demonstrations and rallies, in slogans, in requests and demands; you see who and what this nation is. The parliament must be a complete mirror of national power and dignity and standing firm on financial interests and confronting the global and international dominators and seekers of control. These are important capacities that the parliament possesses.

Another point is that you are two hundred and ninety elites gathered from across the country; this is a very unique opportunity. Two hundred and ninety representatives of the nation, from various elites and classes, gathered under one roof and together for four years; this is a very unique and exceptional opportunity. The place for logical challenges and correct debates over the fundamental issues of the country is right here. I have no objection to debates within the parliament; I fully support them. Imam (may God be pleased with him) frequently said that the parliament is a place for debate, like the debates of students. When two students debate with each other, sometimes they shout at each other; but this shouting is neither out of hatred, nor political motives, nor personal motives; this person defends what they believe to be the truth, and that person defends their own view; they often reach a conclusion. There is a difference between the uproar of experts and the logical debates of knowledgeable individuals and specialists, and the childish uproars. When a person enters a school, there is a loud noise and uproar; when they step into a scientific environment, some people are sitting and discussing with each other; there is also noise there; but this noise is different. The uproars of schools, party uproars, and the uproars of those who grab each other over worldly gains are ugly and beneath the dignity of the parliament; however, scientific debates, specialized discussions, especially in committees - which are the places for these discussions - are very correct and appropriate. With this method, the vitality of the parliament is ensured and must definitely exist.

What kind of development are we pursuing? This fundamental point is present in ongoing economic and non-economic discussions. Some are trying to throw out a statement to divert the people's minds from the main issues: the Chinese model, the Japanese model, etc. The model of development in the Islamic Republic, according to the cultural, historical conditions, legacies, beliefs, and faith of this people, is a completely indigenous model specific to the Iranian nation; we should not imitate from anywhere; neither from the World Bank, nor from the International Monetary Fund, nor from this leftist country, nor from that rightist country; each place has its own requirements. There is a difference between using the experiences of others and following imposed and often outdated models. I sometimes see that some methods proposed in economic, cultural, and other areas are taken from others - this thinker from the West said this, that thinker from somewhere else said that - as if they are citing verses from the Quran! Many methods are outdated; they were experienced thirty, forty, fifty years ago, and then a better method was introduced; but now we want to use their outdated methods in education, in scientific matters, in university work, in economic matters, and in planning and budgeting; no, this is not correct. We should use experiences and knowledge, but the model and method must be completely indigenous and self-derived.

A fundamental point in the work of the parliament is that your work begins in a year of accountability. Your work in the area of accountability has two dimensions; you must both give answers and demand answers. If the government wants to respond, the government's response can be to public opinion - which is good, and I often encourage government brothers to explain and speak to public opinion - but the legal mechanism is the accountability of the executive bodies to the parliament. You must demand answers and in your own work, you must also provide answers. Identify your priorities. Each of you has been elected from a region; you have made promises, spoken words, and made commitments; gather these and see what the priorities are. These priorities should be pursued where they should be in the government's proposed bills, where they should be secured by the parliament's own proposals, where they should be achieved through demanding accountability and explanations from government bodies; specify, prioritize, and even schedule these; then report to the people and say we wanted to enact this law, we wanted to address this issue; the time was six months, and after six months we reached this point. What Mr. Dr. Haddad Adel says about being able to present an acceptable report next year is possible only if you prioritize, plan, and schedule and say we are pursuing these priorities. Not all tasks can be done overnight; there are priorities; identifying and pursuing these priorities is important. In this case, you will be accountable to the people; you must also demand answers from the bodies under your oversight.

You should not waste a single day; I often tell brothers and sisters who take on responsibilities; I tell you as well. Sometimes some people think they have four years and that the first two or three months are nothing. No, my friend! Even those first two or three days are important. Not a single day should be wasted. Four years is a long time; provided that all hours and days are utilized properly; not that we have excessive expectations. All the time allocated for the parliament must be used correctly; then four years will be a truly valuable time.

One of the names that holds honor in our history - as much as it is a reality - is Amir Kabir. Amir Kabir was at the head of the government in our country for three years. It becomes clear that three years is a very long time. All the good works that Amir Kabir accomplished and all the good memories that history and our nation have of this character are the product of three years. Therefore, four years is not a short time - it is a very long time - provided that all this time is used correctly.

Seek true ideals in practical forms and clothing. One should neither pursue ideals that are impractical and executable, nor should one be satisfied with little and stray from those ideals. What must always be kept in mind is the twenty-year outlook; this outlook is very important. And let me tell you; according to the testimony of individuals who are experts and specialists in this field, this outlook is completely practical; that is, there are no futile and unsupported grand ambitions in it. Look closely, pay attention, and read the twenty-year outlook. We, the Iranian nation, with this comprehensive constitution and with these pillars of the system - if they work well and correctly - can bring our country to the peak and summit depicted in this outlook within twenty years. Consider the policies. The policies are based on this outlook. Laws must be in harmony with the policies; that is, they must fit within the policies and move towards this outlook. That outlook is also based on Islam. All time, effort, and work must be devoted to these goals and, in fact, be immersed in these goals.

The expression "immersed in the leadership" is often used by your opponents - those who want to nitpick and say something - but I have heard this less from reputable people. I do not understand the meaning of being immersed in the leadership. What does it mean to be immersed in the leadership? One must be immersed in Islam. The leadership itself must be immersed in Islam. The day that martyr Sadr said, "Be immersed in Imam Khomeini; just as he is immersed in Islam," the only indicator of the correctness of the path was the person of the Imam; it was not the constitution, nor the Islamic Republic, nor the system, nor any institution. In the chaotic scene of identities and currents and various lines, there was one raised stature and one proud flag, and that was the Imam; martyr Sadr said to be immersed in him. He was right; being immersed in the Imam was being immersed in Islam. Today, it is not like that. Being immersed in the leadership is being immersed in a person; this makes no sense at all. Who is the leadership? The leadership must also be immersed in Islam to have respect. The respect for the leadership is in the shadow of the fact that they are immersed in Islam and in these very goals; if they take a single step off course, they will fall. No one is immersed in a person; one must be immersed in those goals; one must be immersed in Islam; one must be immersed in the lofty Islamic goals - which God Almighty has determined for us - one must be immersed in the nation. Focus on these goals and on that peak and lofty point. Islam, national dignity, independence, social justice, and reducing the gaps between social classes; today, we need these very much. One of your laws can deepen the gap between the rich and the poor; it can also help to bridge this gap. You must pursue this and fill this gap.

Among the most important tasks is the fight against corruption. The fight against corruption is not merely a moral issue; the administration of the country depends on the fight against corruption. A few years ago, when I wrote that letter about the fight against corruption to the country's officials, it was the result of a long process and a comprehensive study. Wherever we go, we see that if corruption is not fought against, all work will be stalled. There are many good works being done in the country - the works that have been done are not few - but the existence of corruption neutralizes some of them. Imagine a pool that is being filled with water from several deep wells through several-inch pipes, but the pool does not fill up. When you look, you see that the pool's walls are cracked and its bottom has a hole; whatever water you pour in from this side, it flows out from that side; it does not reach the channels you have designated for irrigation. Corruption in society is like this. Financial corruption is like a cancer; it must be fought against. Of course, it should not be exaggerated. Some people make a fuss and exaggerate and speak as if this cancer has taken over everywhere; no, it is not like that. We have many clean hands, clean faces, and pure individuals in various institutions from top to bottom; the majority are with them; however, a single point of corruption can contaminate the entire body. When a part of the body becomes ill and hurts - for example, when a tooth becomes rotten - a person cannot sleep at night. The heart is healthy; the stomach is healthy; the lungs are healthy; the blood flow is healthy; but a single unhealthy tooth deprives a person of sleep. Corruption is like this; serious action must be taken against corruption. One pillar of the fight is you. The day I mentioned the issue of fighting corruption, my expectation was that the Islamic Consultative Assembly would stand firm and come forward and move in this field so that we would no longer need to follow up; but unfortunately, this did not happen. They did not do it; you should do it. Of course, as our insightful brother Zarif said, you cannot clean the glass with a dirty cloth. If a person wants to fight against corruption, they must first be careful that corruption does not catch them. Be vigilant within yourselves and within the parliament. A clean hand, a clean demeanor, a clean tongue, and a clean eye will be able to purify everything in the vast area of authority that you have.

Following this advice, I would also like to say beware of pitfalls. Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) in the Sahifa Sajjadiyya, when praying for the soldiers of Islam, emphasizes that, "O God! Remove the love and affection for 'the tempting wealth' from their hearts." Wealth and money are very dangerous and tempting and can lead many astray. We have seen many prominent figures in history who stumbled when they reached this point; therefore, you must be very vigilant. In the sacred law, what is the name of this vigilance? Piety. The fact that the Quran repeatedly advises piety from beginning to end means this vigilance and self-care. The human soul is greedy. When I read in the press that you have decided to reconsider some issues in the parliament and some unnecessary benefits, I was truly happy and prayed for the initiators of this work. For example, suppose a person has a house and wants another house; they have a privilege and want another privilege. I truly thank you for entering this path and putting in effort. Continue this path and stand firm on these matters. As much as you can, act logically and correctly. Of course, we do not recommend and do not expect that, for example, in the parliament, representatives should suffer hunger and thirst and practice asceticism - neither are we like that, nor are you like that - we say that there should be no excess and waste, and that unnecessary expenditures should not be made. It may be that the total of all these expenditures does not amount to a very large sum in the parliament; but when you cut this path, you set an example for the people and institutions and specify the direction. Your work is very valuable and very good; pursue this.

The next issue is to prioritize the general interests over regional interests; this is also something that is very easy to say but very difficult to implement in practice. I have also been in the parliament at one time, and I know what representation is; we have been dealing with the parliament for years. Do not prioritize regional interests over general interests. For example, I have been recommending to the management and planning organization, to governments, and to the president for years, and I have recently recommended to the head of the management and planning organization, that unfinished projects should be completed sooner. We have several thousand unfinished projects; projects that should have been completed in three or four years, but have taken ten years or sometimes longer. Why? Some of it is due to managerial weaknesses, and some of it is due to a lack of resources. If we want to complete unfinished projects, we must not add new projects; otherwise, these will also remain unfinished. It is evident that if we can spend our money to build a school so that students can sit at desks in class, this is better than starting to build two schools and leaving both at the stage of foundation work, resulting in no student attending class. We raise our ambitions and start building two schools; however, neither is completed. Which is better, to spend the same money to build one school and complete it so that students can attend class? Regional projects: this airport over here, that road over there, that highway, etc. Expectations exist; the representative conveys these to the parliament and from there to the government, resulting in pressure. The government eventually submits for any reason; but what is the result? The result is that if our unfinished projects are around four thousand, it becomes five thousand, it becomes ten thousand. It is difficult, but it must be endured.

There is much to say. He said: A chest full of words surges in our mouths We have much to say to you, but we must also consider the time.

The last point is discipline. I want to say this; many times when the parliament's television was shown in the past and I saw empty seats, I felt ashamed in front of the people and felt embarrassed! We have told these people to come to the polls; they have come and elected representatives; now what is being discussed? An important matter. You look at the parliament and see four empty seats; one is sitting, five seats are empty. When I saw this scene on television, I truly felt ashamed. This is indiscipline and must not be tolerated for the parliament at all. Being present on time, being present in committees, being present in the public session, and working is very important.

We hope that, God willing, with the hope that the people have placed in you and the image that has formed in their minds, your behavior and movement, along with divine success, will be such that this hope in the people is strengthened day by day, and God willing, the people will be happy that they have sent good representatives like you to the parliament and will remain happy. In this case, we will always pray for you.

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