Statements of the Supreme Leader in Meeting with Hajj Officials

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

First, I must thank all the dear brothers and sisters who once again provided me with the opportunity to speak among the esteemed officials of the great obligation of Hajj and to share some words about this divine duty. I must also thank you dear ones, especially the honorable officials, for your efforts in executing this divine obligation in the best possible manner and filling this void. I ask Almighty God to keep you under the attention of His Holiness Baqiyatullah al-Azam and to include you in his pure prayers, and to accept this service from you in the best way.

There are two important and unforgettable points about Hajj. One is the subject of 'spirituality' in Hajj. Throughout this obligation, from beginning to end, there is a spirit that consists of attention and sincerity to the sacred essence of the One and expressing servitude before the Lord. In other obligations and duties, this feature cannot be observed to this extent and quality, although the essence of every duty and worship is attention and remembrance of the Lord, the Exalted. When people are drawn to the center of the divine obligation of Hajj, they exit the realm of material life and enter a completely spiritual space. In this spiritual space, a person truly cleanses themselves and returns. It is assumed that if a person performs such a cleansing once in their lifetime, it is sufficient for them. Because Hajj is obligatory once, and obligations are based on human needs and necessities. If we needed more than seventeen units of prayer a day for the journey of perfection and ascension to God, the Almighty would have made it obligatory. The minimum obligation is what has been made obligatory for us. Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for anyone who can - 'whoever is able,' which should not be thought that 'whoever is able' limits the obligation; no. This obligation expands without exception - and if someone cannot, well; they cannot. Nothing is obligatory on them because the power does not exist. Therefore, going once to that reservoir and bubbling spring of spirituality for cleansing and purification is sufficient. Of course, if it happens more, it will be better and more cleansing. But the minimum necessary is that one time. See how strong the aspect of spirituality in Hajj must be!

These are points that we must understand the obligation correctly from these perspectives. If we see that Hajj has taken on a material and superficial aspect and is distant from spirituality, and in the journey of Hajj, the behaviors we choose for ourselves or are imposed on us are against spirituality, we must know that we have strayed from the philosophy of Hajj. Those who spend a significant amount of time during Hajj and the days of Hajj on activities that are contrary to spirituality, meaning being immersed in materialism and distancing from God, in reality, without knowing it, diminish the capital that Almighty God has gifted them in Hajj. They think they are gaining something, while in fact, they are losing something and by being immersed in materialism, they are diminishing the spiritual gift.

Hajj begins with 'Labbayk' (Here I am), meaning responding and accepting the divine invitation. All the rituals and actions of Hajj, such as the state of Ihram, the clothing and prohibitions of Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i, prayer, and the two stands, each in some way, attract a part of our being to spirituality and Almighty God. This composite set is, in fact, a clear spring in which we must cleanse ourselves. Be careful that Hajj does not lose this aspect. In the past - of course, at a time when those in charge of Hajj were people who had not smelled or touched spirituality - there was no expectation. There, of course, were those who were themselves people of meaning, attention, and remembrance, and they provided for themselves in some way. But there was no system to move them towards spirituality. Today, the situation is different. Today, those in charge of Hajj are people of spirituality, remembrance, and intimacy with God. They understand the taste of spirituality and the sweetness of intimacy with God and the remembrance of God. It makes a difference when the officials of Hajj are such individuals, or individuals who do not understand what Hajj is at all. They do not know the difference between an ordinary tourist trip and the great divine Hajj. They think this is also a trip that one goes for travel and sightseeing and returns.

Today, you are the officials of Hajj. People of spirituality are in charge of Hajj affairs. I ask all the honorable gentlemen, officials, brothers, and sisters, and anyone who is in any way connected with a pilgrim, to make one of their tasks and efforts to bring this pilgrim closer to the spirit and spirituality of Hajj and to acquaint people with the effects that Hajj, apart from social issues, has for the perfection of the individual human being - such as making the individual complete and pure, refining, purifying, and adorning them with the ornament of spirituality, giving them capital, filling their hands and returning them. It is not all with words and saying; rather, with action, presence, attention, and behavior, people must be directed towards spirituality. If this happens, the realization of the second point of Hajj, which is an unforgettable point and one of the most important points about Hajj, will be easier.

The second point is the social point. Almighty God has arranged this obligation in such a way that Muslims come face to face with each other. If there were no Hajj, a Muslim individual might not see many of these nationalities until the end of their life, nor even hear their names. Hajj gathers nations, customs, different languages, and unfamiliar individuals who, if two of them were together in a place for many days, it is not certain they would become familiar with each other, in one place and gives them a common action, remembrance, love, and goal.

Well, what is the expectation? The expectation is that they find a common achievement. What is that common achievement? What is it that, beyond an individual, relates to all nations, not just one nation? That is what is between nations; which is Islam. Among nations with different races, all of whom are Muslims, what is common? That is the Islamic ideals, aspirations, goals, and loves that Islam has determined for them. So, Hajj wants to provide this. Why do some not understand this obvious point and need it explained to them?! Some, even after explaining, do not understand and reach the height of wickedness, fighting against this clear matter and explicit truth!

Easterners, Westerners, blacks, whites, and those with different languages gathered here perform a common action for a few days: they worship, sleep, and sit in one place. These actions are for a transnational and transpersonal matter. Otherwise, each person could perform these actions in the grand mosque of their own city. Why have people been brought to a specific point? So that they are together and feel being together and understand what is beyond national groups; that is, being Muslim and Islamic unity. That is the same thing that the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic have emphasized from the first day until now, saying that Hajj is for the acquaintance of Muslims with each other, unity, and securing the common interests of Muslims and avoiding common enemies, meaning 'disavowal of polytheists.' Here, because it is the center of Islam and the core spirit and truth of Islam is monotheism, and the House of God is the center of establishment and symbol and emblem and sign of monotheism, therefore the slogan is a monotheistic slogan and disavowal is also disavowal of polytheism. This is a clear matter. Now they say: Sir! Where in the book of issues is it written that disavowal of polytheists is among the obligations of Hajj? Well; where is it written that preserving the Islamic system is among the most obligatory obligations and if someone denies this, they have not understood Islam?

There are things that do not need to be written. Wherever you look at an effect of religion, you see this clearly. Of course, one must have insight, understanding, knowledge, and the power of perception. Who is it that sees monotheism - the slogan of spirituality and the unity of Muslims - in Hajj and does not understand that this great gathering is for Islam and monotheism to be displayed against disbelief?! Contrary to what the enemies want today, in Hajj, monotheism stands firm against polytheism. See how scandalously America opposes the Islamic Republic! Why is this opposition? Because it does not want the word of truth and spirituality and Islam to stand firm and show itself. If the Islamic Republic only said Islamic slogans like prayer, supplication, worship, Quran, and these things we say, but did not stand firm against global arrogance and said 'yes, sir, whatever you say,' I swear to you, they would have no problem with it! They are not against the humiliation of Islam! If Islam, God forbid, is humiliated, they have no problem with it. They are against the dignity of Islam. If there was a country somewhere, even with the flag of Islam and the slogan of 'There is no god but God,' and gave Islamic slogans; but was humiliated before global arrogance, is global arrogance crazy to fight it or oppose it?! Islam that falls before America does not harm America. Therefore, why should they fight it?! Well; it is their servant. They even take money and help from it and impose their words on it. Such Islam has no enemy! They do not like Islam that stands firm, has claims, and invites people to itself.

The Prophet of Islam did not imprison himself in Mecca. If the Prophet had imprisoned himself in Mecca or in his house; did not invite and did not confront anyone, no one would have bothered him. Islam is dignified. Islamic dignity, which stands firm, stands, raises its head, does not submit to the enemy; rather, it humiliates arrogance time and again and rubs its nose in the dirt, must be established. Just as the Islamic Republic, despite the pessimists, the weak-hearted, the negative thinkers, and the short-sighted who said 'Sir, it cannot be done. Do not do it. Be afraid' and with the help of these people and with divine grace and the leadership of that monotheistic man - who truly that great Imam was monotheistic and monotheism flowed throughout his being. All his being accepted God, greatness, and divine dignity - was able to humiliate the enemy and be dignified itself.

They are upset with this Islamic Republic and do not like it. They want to crush it. They also slander it. They also give slogans. They also say falsehoods and lies. They also commit injustice. You see that everything they say is injustice. They also conspire. They even insert their corrupt, rotten finger into the country. Here and there, they create problems culturally, politically, and economically. They sabotage and hinder the reconstruction of the country. Building is hard; but destroying is easy. Today the government builds and reconstructs. A building must be built brick by brick for a long time to rise. But with an explosive material, it can be easily and quickly blown up. They hinder this difficult work. They create trouble. They act maliciously. Why? Because they see that here is a nation that, with Islamic invitation and slogans, is determined to build and develop its life, world, and hereafter and does not want to submit to the enemy. That is why they are hostile to this nation. For the same reason, they are also hostile to the slogan of monotheism in Hajj.

My dear ones! Recognize Hajj with these two characteristics. The characteristic of personal, individual, and spiritual impact. Creating a revolution in every heart; these thousands of hearts that put on Ihram from here and go to the House of God, to the divine appointment and meeting place, to become transformed, divine, and spiritual and return. Hearts put on Ihram from their own homes. Hearts that are remembering and humble. In fact, before the meeting place, hearts are in Ihram. This was a feature that cannot be overlooked. The second is the collective, Islamic, Ummah-related, and transnational meaning and concept related to the Islamic Ummah, and it is the affirmation of the dignity of monotheism, the negation of polytheism, disavowal of polytheism and polytheists and those who call to polytheism and opponents of monotheism, in any form and way they can. Like Hajj itself; which 'whoever is able to find a way to it.' It depends on ability. Of course, the believing hearts {P - Al Imran: P 97}

The followers of the family of Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, in those lands also seek the dear relics of their own. They seek the memory of their oppressed Imams, whose base of radiation, enlightenment, and teaching was there.

The Imams, throughout the two hundred and fifty years of the Imamate of the Shia, in those cities and in those same streets, alleys, and houses; in those same lands, in those same blessed places, sat and taught and instructed Islam to the thirsty, eager, and knowledgeable people. Their memory, mention, effects, pure graves, and relics are there. Today, the remaining dear and precious jewel of this world of existence on earth, during the days of Hajj, is there. The master and lord of creation and the beloved of the hearts of the eager ones, in Arafat, Mina, Mash'ar al-Haram, and Tawaf, is there. Familiar hearts should inquire and connect themselves with the center of spirituality.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, acquaint our hearts with the sources of light and spirituality and truth. Connect our hearts with Yourself. Do not separate us from Your friends.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, accept Hajj from the Islamic Ummah. Bless Hajj for the Islamic Ummah. Place the officials of the great Islamic Hajj under Your mercy and blessings.

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