Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met today with the participants of the 17th National Prayer Meeting. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence described appropriate praying and simultaneous attention to the body [form] and soul [attention to God] of prayers as the most essential element that is necessary for improving individuals and society. "The manifestations of Islam, especially praying, must prevail in society and must be observed in all situations," he said. Ayatollah Khamenei said that observing religious obligations and avoiding unlawful acts come together to form a set of elements that bring about prosperity for human beings. He added: "Prayers, which help curb the irrepressible passions of man, are the most essential element of this set."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that prosperity and adversity depend on the way people deal with their passions, further reiterating: "If these irrepressible passions are curbed through remembrance of God, man will reach the peaks of perfection. However, if we let our passions loose, they will lead to oppression, corruption, poverty, and arrogance."
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that gaining control over one's passions depends on remembrance of God. "This control requires that we feel we need Allah. It requires that we feel humble before the glory of God. In this way, prayers and remembrance of God keep man from sins and unlawful acts. That is because remembrance of God is a constant internal admonition to man. Therefore, prayers are performed five times a day," he stated.
His Eminence said that the spread of appropriate praying in society brings about psychological peace for individuals and peace and security for society at large. "Prayers are perfect only when they have a body [form] as well as soul [attention to God]."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described soulless prayers as ineffective and added: "The form of prayers has been designed to fit their soul. We must make sure to pay attention to the body and soul of prayers when we want to propagate them in society, especially among the youth."
Ayatollah Khamenei touched upon the positive effects of prayers on the hearts of the youth and said that prayers give them spiritual hope. He added: "If people try to start appropriate praying at a young age, they will keep praying appropriately later on in their life."
Elsewhere in his speech, His Eminence pointed to the shortage of mosques in crowded places and stressed: "All big buildings must have an extension as the mosque, and the administration must pay serious attention to this point."
The Leader stressed that there has to be a mosque in subway stations, intercity bus stations, train stations, airports, and big towns. He added: "The departure times of national and international flights must not clash with prayer times. And if it is not possible for some flights, there must be a special space inside the airplane for praying."
He said that observing these points is a sign of serious attention to prayers and reiterated: "In cities, especially in big cities like Tehran, congregational prayers must be held. And when it is time for prayers, the sound of adhan must be heard in all cities of our Islamic country."
His Eminence also added: "When a new town is to be developed, the number of mosques must be proportionate to the population of the town, otherwise such projects must not be permitted."
At the end of his speech, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed: "The manifestations of Islam must be clearly represented by our architecture."