Statements of the Supreme Leader in Meeting with Organizers of the 'Hajj Congress'

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

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, responsible for this great matter and divine duty. We must all be grateful to Almighty God for granting our nation, once again, the opportunity to participate in the great season of Hajj and the grand assembly of Muslims worldwide, to stand in their rightful place, to rise and call to truth, and to illuminate the path for Muslims globally, both in word and deed. This is a great blessing bestowed upon us by the revolution. The leadership of that great man of our time, Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), and the spiritual power and divine grace granted to the Iranian nation, have once again been bestowed upon us since last year.

Regarding the subject of Hajj, we have heard and read much from Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) and other knowledgeable figures over the years since the victory of the revolution. However, the truth is that Hajj is greater than what we have said and heard, and the various dimensions of this divine obligation are such that even if we think, act, learn, and teach others about it for years, it is unlikely that we will be able to uncover and express all the characteristics of this great obligation. We understand, say, and act according to our capacity.

There are two fundamental points in Hajj: one relates to each pilgrim individually, and the other concerns the collective of Muslims and the political direction of the Islamic world. The first point is important because without it, the second task will not be properly accomplished. Political action and political cries are abundant in the world. The cry that truly affects hearts, changes societies, genuinely frightens the enemy, and truly illuminates the path is one that arises from faith, from a heart filled with piety, and from a righteous person, as observed in the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Thus, self-purification is a prerequisite and essential condition for transforming others, building the world, and traversing difficult paths. Therefore, in the noble verses of Hajj, there is repeated mention of the remembrance of God, seeking forgiveness, and returning to God.

Hajj is a migration. It is a migration from ourselves, from our egos, from the prison that surrounds us and conceals the unique human gem within us. Hajj is a migration from the self-worship that arises from desires, a migration from the selfishness that distances us from God, a migration from the classifications and boundaries that separate human lives, bringing the poor and the rich, the noble and the humble, the great and the small—according to common people's standards—closer together and reviving the common aspect of all humans, which is servitude.

This is the essence. In Hajj, we must strive to strengthen servitude within ourselves. We must migrate to God. We must make our Hajj accepted and acceptable to God. How can our Hajj be accepted? When it brings us closer to God. It is narrated that "if you want to know whether your Hajj has been accepted, see if you have abandoned the sins you used to commit after Hajj. If you find that you have been able to abandon sins, then know that God has accepted your Hajj and you have drawn closer to God." These are the criteria: leaving sin, drawing closer to God, distancing from selfishness and self-worship, immersing oneself like a drop in the sea of divine grace and mercy. This is the most fundamental task. "Take care of yourselves"; this is something that cannot be sacrificed. The place where everyone must first think of themselves is here! Drawing closer to God, turning to God, believing in God's mercy and grace, speaking sincerely with God, setting aside the world and its adornments, and the material values that weave around us like a cocoon to suffocate the celestial soul. This is the essence. When a person faces Almighty God with a pure heart and a repentant spirit, performs those great rituals, truly returns to God, truly migrates to God, truly supplicates before the Lord of the worlds, then the doors of blessings open.

I firmly believe that one of the most important factors that led to the victory of this revolution, its endurance, its resistance, and its overcoming of hardships, and the defeat of the enemy, was that the axis of this revolution, that divine man, that true believer and pious person, was in increasing connection with God. It was not that from the first day of the revolution to the day of his passing, Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) maintained the same relationship with God. No; he was better every day, more qualitative, and closer to God in every period of his life. This was clearly felt, and these are realities.

Why do we see that in various parts of the world, so many popular investments sometimes go to waste, and strong popular presence does not yield the desired result? Why do we see that in the face of the roar of great powers, groups and individuals lack the courage to stand firm? Why do we see that the awe of the arrogant powers replaces the awe of God in hearts? Why, instead of fearing God, do they fear the enemies of God, retreat, become defeated, and squander investments, and blood is wasted? Because spirituality is lacking. Where there is spirituality, there is connection with God, there is belief in divine grace, there is submission to God, there is humility and supplication before the Lord. There, there is no weakness or fear. "Indeed, the allies of God will have no fear, nor will they grieve." There is no regret either. When we work for God, if we apparently progress, we are pleased. If we do not progress, we are still pleased because we have worked for God, because we have fulfilled our duty, because we have performed our obligation. You saw that Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) was never regretful, never hopeless, and never felt remorse throughout this period and in various events! Because his duty was clear to him, he understood it, and he acted accordingly. Whoever acts according to duty is happy and proud, without regret and sorrow. We must heal ourselves. We must transform. We must move towards the spiritual life of the saints of God. This is the cure for all pains in the world and for everyone. Hajj is a very good opportunity for a person to separate from the world, its adornments, dependencies, classifications, and all those things that distance him from meaning and bring him closer to materialism and self-worship, to distance himself and draw closer to God. This is an opportunity. Not everyone does this. Not everyone provides this opportunity for themselves or takes advantage of it. But we must try. This is the main issue. "And remember the name of God during known days"; the name and remembrance of God must always be in mind. From the start of the journey from home to reaching the House of God, to the beginning of the rituals, to during those sensitive days, and to the end of the work, one thing must always be in the mind of the pilgrim and visitor of the House of God, and that is to seek God's pleasure, to repent from sins, to turn away from what distances him from God, and to turn towards God. If we turn towards God, God opens the way. "And indeed, the traveler to You is near in distance." Taking one step towards God enlightens the heart, grants insights, removes the rust from the human insight, and makes the next step and the continuation of the path easier for the person. This is the fundamental issue in the individual aspect of this matter. Nothing can replace this.

The second point concerns the matter related to the Islamic Ummah. Hajj is a place for mutual visits: consultation, visitation, covenant. Muslims must find each other again. Not just each other's bodies, but each other's hearts and thoughts. Different nations must find the form of the Islamic Ummah there; they must feel unity, resolve problems among themselves, become aware of each other's problems, and seek the fundamental issues of the Islamic Ummah. This is the very important goal of Hajj.

For the Islamic Ummah, there is no greater benefit than this. If the pilgrims can find billions of tomans in this ceremony or any ceremony around the world, it is not worth being able to untie one of the major knots of the Islamic world and the Islamic Ummah during Hajj. What is the knot today? Today, the fundamental knot in the lives of Muslims is the domination of global arrogance. The disavowal you declare is for this. One day, it was disavowal from the polytheists who worshipped Lat, Manat, Hubal, and Uzza; but today, it is disavowal from the leaders of global disbelief and global arrogance. Today, the manifestation of polytheism and disbelief is these. If one day it was disavowal from the devils that appeared as lifeless idols or low-value, small living idols, today it is disavowal from the Great Satan; disavowal from America; disavowal from the power and satanic hegemony; disavowal from the calamity that has befallen all Muslims of the world and the oppressed and downtrodden nations, which is the global arrogant power. This is the most important task that a nation, especially a Muslim nation—if it wants to find a solution and remedy—must do and keep in mind.

Disavowal is truly one of the pillars of Hajj. It is beyond the pillars of Hajj; it is the spirit of Hajj; it is the meaning and direction of Hajj. It is a mistake if someone thinks that any of the pillars and acts of Hajj can be compared to the spirit of Hajj and its overall direction. Disavowal is this. Today, look at the world scene and see what is happening in the world! Of course, the foundation of the ominous power of arrogance is not only America and the American regime; but today, the most important pillar of it is the American regime. Nations are captive to this regime. Nations are caught in these policies. See what they are doing to the Muslims of the world today! If there is a movement and a pulse of Islam or Muslims in any part of the world—even without progressive Islamic orientations—they confront it; they face it and oppose it. Look at the issues of occupied Palestine! For nearly forty-four, forty-five years, they have usurped the land of Palestine from Muslims with this brutal suppression. Despite all the anti-human actions carried out by the usurping Zionist regime, despite all the obvious sins and violations that disgust every human being, America does not cease its support for this regime. Day by day, it increases its support for it. What does this mean?! What violation of human rights is greater than this!? Meanwhile, Americans claim to support human rights; they give speeches about human rights; they talk; they set policies and determine their stance towards regimes. Such and such regime is on their blacklist because, according to them, "it does not observe human rights!" Such and such regime is out of the blacklist today! Such and such regime entered the blacklist today! They are playing with the world. They mock public opinion worldwide with this game and ridicule humanity. Is there a greater calamity for humans than this!? They talk about the Islamic Republic and sometimes say in their speeches that the condition for our relationship with the Islamic Republic is that it observes human rights! There is a big difference between what we say and what Americans say! We say that the one who should set conditions for relations is not you. The Iranian nation is hostile to you. It is disgusted with you because of the great sins on your regime's shoulders. Now they say, "If such and such happens, we will establish relations!" We do not establish relations! As long as you commit so much injustice in the world; as long as you support the usurping Israeli regime; as long as you support corrupt regimes in the world; as long as you oppose regimes that support people and independence, we are not willing to look towards you. It is not you who set conditions!

They say, "We are supporters of human rights!" We say: you do not accept human rights at all. You do not believe in human rights. You believe in the rights of American companies and big capitalists. You believe in the illegitimate interests of the American regime worldwide. You do not care about human rights! That was your past, this is your present! These internal issues in America and the issue of blacks! Tens of millions, perhaps fifty million or more—I do not remember exactly—of blacks in America are deprived of human rights. In the cities of America and under the shadow of a government that claims to be the flagbearer of human rights and provokes the intelligent and wise people of the world to smile mockingly, these thousands of people who have risen in thirty-some cities in America in these very days and expressed their anger, to whom were they protesting other than you?! Whom were they complaining about for the violation of their rights?! You trample your own citizens underfoot just because their skin is black, and then you talk about human rights?! For many years, you slaughtered oppressed people in various parts of the world. What did you do in Vietnam? Hundreds of thousands of American forces went to Vietnam to defend one of the most corrupt regimes! Was the regime of South Vietnam at that time a supporter of human rights or one of the most corrupt regimes?! They invaded and went there. They did not just kill the armed opponents in front of them, but they killed women and children. How many children did they destroy! How many women did they destroy! How many farmers' fields did they destroy and kill, burying groups under tons of soil! Is this human rights?! In this very Iran, for many years, they supported the oppressive, immoral, and brutal Pahlavi regime. Was the Shah a supporter of human rights that you supported him with all your might?! How much did they support Saddam Hussein, whom today and for a long time, the pages of American magazines and propaganda are filled with his brutalities?! They helped him, gave him technology, gave him money, gave him food, and did not speak out against his great crimes! In front of the eyes of all the people of the world, the city of Halabja was chemically bombed. Men and women, young and old, in a moment, with chemical bombing and the poisonous rain that fell on them, fell in the streets and houses and perished; but they did not speak out. Was this human rights?! Which sane person in the world believes in this human rights flag that they have raised?! How naive are the governments that retreat from their words and lose their positions because of these slogans! Why? Because American propaganda says so! It is wrong to say so! They themselves are the biggest criminals in the world. They are the most disgraced political leaders in the world. What right do they have to speak about this and that? They have made a weapon to crush any government and regime they do not accept—whether right or wrong.

The Islamic nation must know these things. Nations must decide on this matter. Nations must stand against these oppressions. Governments do not stand firm. Governments cannot stand firm. Unfortunately, many governments in the world, due to their disconnection from the people, lack the power to stand firm. The one who must stand; the one who, if he stands, no power can confront him, is the nations. Nations must stand. Where should nations understand these things other than in Hajj!? The message of disavowal means this. The message of disavowal is a great Islamic movement. Participation in the message of disavowal and declaring disavowal is an absolute and individual obligation. No one should refrain from participating in this great human, Islamic, divine, and political movement. This is the spirit and meaning of Hajj. The global aspect of Hajj; what concerns the fate of the Islamic Ummah is this. Hajj is for this. That is why they said, "On a specific day and in specific days—in known days—at specific hours and even in a specific place in a limited point, gather from all the farthest points of the world," for such a thing. Otherwise, they would have said, "During the days of Hajj, everyone should hold a gathering in their home and city: Iranians in Iran, Iraqis in Iraq, Hijazis in Hijaz, Indians in India, Chinese in China, Europeans in Europe." Why did they say, "Everyone should set out"? "They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass." Why?

"That they may witness benefits for themselves." That benefit is this. "Benefits for themselves" for all of them, for their entirety, and for the Islamic Ummah. Hajj is for this. Then some naive people ask, "Sir! What is the reason for disavowal?" They expect it to be written in the practical treatise "disavowal"! All of Hajj is a cry of disavowal. All the rulings of Hajj indicate the existence of such a direction. The one who does not understand must correct his mind and understanding. This is the meaning of disavowal.

I advise dear brothers—whether you are respected officials or individual Iranian pilgrims—to strive to show this message, which is the message of servitude to God and disbelief in the tyrant, both in word and deed. Orderly behavior, correct behavior, Islamic behavior, behavior indicative of servitude to God, and behavior accompanied by order. It should not be that in the acts of Hajj, due to a small and insignificant difference in fatwa, brothers separate from each other and each acts differently. Here, everything must indicate unity and solidarity. Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) recommended, commanded, to participate in congregational prayers. I also say: participate in congregational prayers in Masjid al-Haram, in Masjid al-Nabawi, and also in other mosques that are appropriate and belong to the brothers of those regions. Show unity. Proclaim unity with your actions and with order and discipline, centered around this apparatus that is currently in charge.

I must thank our dear brother, Mr. Reyshahri, for the good management of these affairs and this organization, and also thank all of you who have been involved and all the brothers who have been engaged in the affairs of Hajj in the headquarters and various departments for months, even from the previous year, and have helped, planned, and set policies. I must thank everyone.

Implementing these programs and plans requires that the Iranian nation be the embodiment of this order and discipline. We hope that Almighty God will bestow His grace and the presence of the noble Guardian of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him), and that you will benefit from the blessings of his presence during the Hajj ceremonies and from the spirituality of that divine guardian. God willing, you, dear Muslim brothers and sisters—especially Iranian brothers and sisters—will return from this blessed journey with an accepted Hajj, with attention to God, with presence of heart, with softened hearts, closer to God, with purified hearts, sins cast away, and rewards and virtues gained.

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