We begin our requests from the Lord of the Universe in the beginning of the Quran in Chapter Al-Fatihah with, “You [alone] do we worship, and to You [alone] do we turn for help” (Quran 1:5). An important example of seeking help is given in the next verse, “Guide us on the straight path” (Quran 1:6). As you can see, all these introductions are like an introduction for this phrase, “Guide us on the straight path.” And then God explains the “straight path” through to the end of Chapter Al-Fatihah. (March 5, 1998) What does this mean, the Straight Path or the path of worshiping God? It means controlling our ego. Islam does not get rid of people’s ego. Islam controls it, because a person’s ego is an engine for movement. Islam controls and guides our ego, just like it controls our faculties. Islam does not destroy sexual lust; Islam controls it. Islam does not get rid of beauty; Islam controls it. Islam does not regard gaining money and pursuing life to be ugly behaviors. It does not eradicate these, because they are a means for progress. Rather, Islam controls them. Islam considers it necessary to create changes in nature, Islam controls it. Islam directs it. (March 6, 2000)
Imam Khamenei
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