Khamenei.ir

The Leader’s View of Art and Artists

Leader’s Address to Members of Sepah-e Vali-e Amr

Leader's Message on Zahedan Terrorist Attack

Leader Meets Participants, Judges of 27th International Quran Competitions

Leader Meets Members, Commanders of AGIR

Leader Meets with His Representatives in Universities

Leader's Speech in Meeting with His Representatives in Universities

Islam carries the message of security, peace and health

Other important, great and fundamental demands of human beings are peace, security and tranquility. People need peace of mind, tranquility and a secure environment for living, nurturing talents and making practical progress. They need this in their hearts and souls, in their family environment, in society and in international environments. Tranquility, security, health and peace are among the fundamental demands of human beings. Islam carries the message of security, peace and health. When we say - according to the Holy Quran and Quranic teachings - that Islam is the religion of human nature [fitra], we mean this. The path that Islam presents to humanity is the path of human nature, one that satisfies the natural needs of human beings. God of the world entrusted be'that to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) with such comprehensibility, precision and care. He promised humanity's happiness to him: "Surely We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and as a warner" [The Holy Quran, 2: 119]. Primarily, this good news is about living a peaceful life in which justice exists. Besides, this lifestyle is based on people's natural make up. Of course, this good news is followed by another which is divine reward in the afterlife. Therefore, the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) be'that is the be'that of mercy. With this be'that, divine mercy was bestowed on God's servants and this path was opened up for people. Be'that brought justice, security and health to the fore: "There has come to you light and a clear Book from Allah. With it Allah guides him who will follow His pleasure into the ways of safety and brings them out of utter darkness into light by His will" [The Holy Quran, 5: 15-16].

Islam will fulfill the needs of all of humanity

Mab'ath is the greatest historical and eternal memory because it created a very sensitive era in human history and it presented a special path to humanity. If humanity moves forward on this path, all its natural demands and historical and natural desires will be satisfied. Throughout history, humanity has always complained about lack of justice. That is to say, justice is the greatest demand of all human beings throughout history. If someone carries the flag of justice today, they have - in fact - satisfied a historical, permanent and natural desire of human beings. Primarily, the rules of Islam, the movement of Islam and the be'that of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) are based on justice. Justice was at the top of the agenda for the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.), as was the case for all other prophets. Other important, great and fundamental demands of human beings are peace, security and tranquility. People need peace of mind, tranquility and a secure environment for living, nurturing talents and making practical progress. They need this in their hearts and souls, in their family environment, in society and in international environments. Tranquility, security, health and peace are among the fundamental demands of human beings. Islam carries the message of security, peace and health. When we say - according to the Holy Quran and Quranic teachings - that Islam is the religion of human nature [fitra], we mean this. The path that Islam presents to humanity is the path of human nature, one that satisfies the natural needs of human beings. God of the world entrusted be'that to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) with such comprehensibility, precision and care. He promised humanity's happiness to him: "Surely We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and as a warner" [The Holy Quran, 2: 119]. Primarily, this good news is about living a peaceful life in which justice exists. Besides, this lifestyle is based on people's natural make up.

Who opposed the Prophet?

From an Islamic point of view, the goal of enmities is opposition to these basic guidelines which are valuable for human life. Those who are opposed to justice, those who are opposed to peace, security and tranquility and those who are opposed to purity and the spirit of human warmth and transcendence are against the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) invitation. It is for the sake of justice that Allah the Exalted has described jihad as an obligation. And this is not particular to Islam. Jihad has existed in all divine religions. Those people who are opposed to the tranquility and transcendence of society and those who are enemies of humanity's interests are against this invitation. This is the point which Islam aims at. From the beginning of the be'that of the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.), he established clear guidelines on the basis of the ayahs which were sent down to him through divine revelation. In the blessed Sura al-Alaq whose first ayahs are apparently the first ayahs sent down to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) - the other ayahs in this sura were sent down to him over time - God says: "Let him beware. If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock, a lying, sinful forelock. Then, let him call for help to his council of comrades. We too will call on the angels of punishment to deal with him" [The Holy Quran, 96: 15-18]. Those who stand up against the invitation to mercy, dignity, tranquility and security are threatened in the first sura [revealed] of the Holy Quran. Another example is Sura al-Muddathir which is also one of the first suras which were sent down to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). In this sura, there is an in-depth discussion about those elements which disrupt people's lives: "Leave Me alone, with the creature whom I created alone. To whom I granted resources in abundance, And sons to be by his side. To whom I made life smooth and comfortable. Yet is he greedy that I should add yet more. By no means! For to Our Signs he has been disobedient. Soon I will make a distressing punishment overtake him" [The Holy Quran, 74: 11-17]. In these ayahs, it is pointed out that those who are opposed to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.), to humanity's best interests and to the path of truth will face this great divine opposition. Therefore, jihad exists in Islam. But this jihad is against those who are opposed to people's tranquility, justice and happiness. When you look at the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) Sunnah, you will see that since the day Islamic government was established, there were certain non-Muslims who lived a secure and peaceful life in the shade of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) reached an agreement with the Jews who lived in Madina so that they could live a peaceful life in the shade of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). However, they conspired against him and they opposed and betrayed him. They stabbed him in the back. Therefore, the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) stood up against them. If the Jews of Madina had not opposed him, if they had not shown hostility and if they had not betrayed the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.), perhaps the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) would never have confronted them. Therefore, the Islamic invitation is a spiritual and reasonable invitation. This invitation means presenting an enlightened and happy lifestyle to human beings.

Leader Meets Government Officials

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Government Officials on the Occasion of Mab'ath

Leader’s Message of Condolence on the Demise of Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah

Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution issued a message on the occasion of the demise of Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah.

Leader Meets Actors, Directors of IRIB

Leader's Address to IRIB Artists and Staff

Leader Meets Judiciary Officials

Leader’s Address to Judiciary Officials

A clear indicator for the time of sedition

Clarifying the issues for those who were confused was the most important characteristic among the characteristics of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) ... During the time of that deception and fitna, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) told his companions not to abandon the path of righteousness they were treading. He asked them to continue their path in a sincere manner. He told them not to let their beliefs be shaken by the words of those who had created that fitna. He told them they were treading the right path. As I have said on numerous occasions, one characteristic of fitna is that the situation becomes confusing. Prominent figures of society sometimes make mistakes in a fitna. In such a situation, the existence of a standard becomes necessary. The standard is the same truth, sincerity and irrefutable evidence that people have at their disposal. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) used to refer people to that standard.

Non-Muslims astonished by Nahjulbalaghah of Imam Ali (a.s.)

It is necessary to read and learn from Nahjul Balaghah. Recently, many non-Muslim intellectuals have become familiar with Nahjul Balaghah. They have read the words of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.). They have learned from the manifestations of wisdom in his words, and they have been astonished by the greatness of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) and his words. We should pay much more attention to Nahjul Balaghah. We should learn more from its teachings. We should benefit more from Imam Ali's (a.s.) sea of wisdom. Nahjul Balaghah clarified all aspects, and provides us with all the lessons that we need. Sunni scholars have made surprising comments about Nahjul Balaghah. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) does not just belong to Shia Muslims. All Muslims and all those who love Islam see Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) at the peak of scholarly, spiritual, moral, human and divine greatness.

According to the holy prophet of Islam, Imam Ali (a.s.) is the benchmark for recognizing the truth

The character of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was exceptional from birth to martyrdom. He was born inside the Ka'bah - which was unparalleled before his birth and remained unparalleled thereafter. And he was martyred while he was praying in the mosque. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) spent all the time between these two points in jihad, patience for the sake of God, acquiring knowledge and insight, and moving on the path of divine satisfaction. Early in his childhood, the hand of divine acumen gave Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was only six years old when the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) brought him to his own house from the house of Abi Talib. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was educated by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.)... since his childhood. He announced his faith in the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) when he was a child. He prayed with the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). He engaged in jihad alongside the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). He made sacrifices for the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). During his lifetime, he tried his utmost to administer justice, promote the religion of God and protect Islam before and after the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) passed away. From the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) perspective, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) is the criterion for truth and justice. Shia and Sunni Muslims have quoted the Holy Prophet as saying, "Ali is with truth, and truth is with Ali. Truth revolves around him wherever he is." This was how the lifestyle of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was.

Leader Meets People of Bushehr

Leader's Speech to People of Bushehr

Leader Calls for Unity

Leader’s Speech to Basiji Professors

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on June 23, 2010 by Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a meeting with basiji professors from across the country. The meeting was held in Tehran.

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Participants of 27th International Quran Competition

Leader: US and European Influence on Global Issues in Decline

Leader’s Address to MPs

Imam Khomeini regarded the Revolution as belonging to all Muslims, even non-Muslim, nations

Another clear characteristic of the Imam's path is that his movement is global. He considered the movement to be global, and he used to say that the Revolution belongs to all Muslim nations as well as non-Muslim countries. He was not afraid of saying this. This has nothing to do with interfering in the internal affairs of other countries which is something that we will not do. This is different from exporting the Revolution the way yesterday's colonialists would, and we are not the kind of people to do such things. This means that the sweet aroma of this divine phenomenon should be spread all over the world. Nations across the world should know what their responsibility is. Muslim nations should know what their identity is and where it lies. One example of this global view of things is the Imam's position on the issue of Palestine. He explicitly said, "Israel is a cancerous tumor." What do they do with a cancerous tumor? Other than removing it, what else can be done to treat a cancerous tumor? The Imam did not take anyone's interests into consideration. That was the logic behind the Imam's actions. This is not just a slogan. It is logical. Palestine is an ancient country... Some powerful people are saying that Palestine and its people should be wiped out so that a fake country called Israel can be established in its place. These powers were initially led by England, and later on America and other western countries joined in. This is one position on the issue of Palestine. Another position is one that was adopted by the Imam. He rejected the first position and said that it is the fake and imposed geographical unit that should be wiped out. He argued that the fake and newly-established country should be removed and the original country and geographical unit should be re-established in its place... This is the most logical comment that can be made regarding the usurping Zionist regime and the issue of Palestine.

The significance of people’s role in the viewpoint of Imam Khomeini

Another important characteristic of the path of the Imam is the role of the general public both in elections - the Imam started a great democratic movement in this regard - and other social matters. Revolutions were prevalent in the first half of the 20th century, and various kinds of revolutions were started in the east and the west. But holding a referendum to determine the form of government only two months after the victory of a revolution has been unprecedented in the history of all revolutions. This happened in Iran due to the efforts made by the Imam. Less than a year had passed since the victory of the Revolution when the Constitution was formulated and ratified... Our elections were never cancelled even during the most difficult days of the war when Tehran was being bombed by the enemy. Not even a singe election has been postponed until this day. Which democracy has been like this? No democracies, let alone revolutions, have held elections as punctually and carefully as we have. This is the path of the Imam. In various other issues that were not related to elections the Imam used to pay attention to the role of the people. He used to explicitly emphasize the role of the people. Once he said, "If government officials fail to do what they are supposed to do, the people will step in voluntarily."

Imam Khomeini’s faith and confidence in divine promises

Another crucial standard of the path of the Imam is the issue of divine and spiritual calculations. The Imam used to give priority to spiritual calculations in his decisions and actions. What does this mean? It means that people should give priority to satisfying God in everything they do. The priority should not be gaining a victory, seizing power, and acquiring prestige in front certain individuals. First, satisfaction of God should be the most important goal. Second, one should have faith in divine promises. Despair, lack of vigilance, and arrogance will become meaningless if your goal is to please God and if you have faith in divine promises. When the Imam was alone, he was not filled with fear and did not lose hope. Similarly, he did not become arrogant when the Iranian people unanimously shouted his name and when other nations started to express their love for him. When Khorramshahr was occupied by the Iraqi forces, the Imam did not lose his hope. And when Khorramshahr was liberated by our selfless and valorous soldiers, he did not become arrogant. He said, "Khorramshahr was liberated by God." He meant we did not play a determining role. That great man remained like this in all the events that happened during his life. When he was alone, he felt no fear. And when he was in power, he did not become arrogant. He did not lose his vigilance either. This shows his trust in God. When one strives for the satisfaction of God, the result is always like this... The Imam was confident about the truth of divine promises.