1- First Step
The first and foremost step in self-edification is that one should look at themselves and their behavior and manners with a critical eye; they should clearly and carefully observe their shortcomings and try to correct them. This can be done by us and this responsibility is upon us.
Speech at the Eid al-Fitr prayer; December 16, 2001
2- Between you and God
One of the most important characteristics in self-edification, and probably the first priority, is “sincerity”. It means being sincere in doing something, and not acting deceitfully … Sincerity in worshipping God and doing good deeds means doing it only for the sake of God. It is unfortunately common among people to talk about their good deeds. As if they are not aware that good deeds should not be bragged about. There are of course exceptions. Some deeds should be done publicly. For example, donating in public is valued differently in Hadith than donating secretly. Another example is congregational prayers which are done in public, and it is part of the divine orders. But many or most prayers, those between an individual and God, such as reciting, remembering God in dhikr, prayers, spending nights in praying, and helping others should stay between the individual and God.
April 28, 2019
3- Be our own therapist
Be your own therapist. The best one to diagnose our shortcomings is us. Write them down: jealousy; stinginess, malevolence; write down that when someone achieves something, it upsets us; write about your sluggishness when working; write about your pessimism about good and righteous people; negligence of responsibilities; egocentricity; we are so self-absorbed. The month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to treat these maladies as much as possible.
April 28, 2019
4- You will become of steely if…
In the first place, a young student should engage in self-edification. Build your characters through religious training. Education, educators, and educational speakers are all needed. But, if there is not an inner mentor to train and educate you, such training will not be effective. Build your characters and fight your ego. Value obeying God’s commands in your personal lives and engage in prayer, attention to God, and relying on God. This will make you as strong as steel.
November 6, 1991
5- Fortify your strongholds
Be vigilant. Watch out and fortify your strongholds so that the enemy cannot infiltrate in your fortifications. With such a strong spirit of faith, you can defeat the colonizers and disarm them to let your nation breathe, build your country, improve your lives, and solve problems inherited to us by years of colonization and exploitation at the hands of foreigners.
At the gathering of the people of Mashhad and pilgrims of Imam Reza on Eyd al-Fitr; April 4, 1992
6- Breaking that idol
We need to revive in ourselves the spirit of submission to God. Submission to God means surrender to God. That is breaking the idol within us—that is ego—which emerges in many cases: when your interests are threatened; when no one agrees with you; when something against your desires—even if your desire contradicts the law—happens; or when you have to choose between your personal gain and your duty; in those difficult moments when the ego emerges.
If we can inhibit this ego, this temptation, this Pharaoh lies within every one of us, or at least if we can control it to some degree, we will become humans and we will reach salvation. The month of Ramadan is a prelude to this. Fasting, praying with attention, donating to the poor, and even Jihad for Allah are all aimed at guiding mankind to a world where people submit to God.
Meeting with a group of people on the last day of the month of Ramadan; May 16, 1990
7- As trivial as a shoelace
What God gives us needs to be asked from God beforehand. Why ask? One of the reasons it is advised to plead to God even for our trifling requests is to become aware of how small, petty, poor, and needy we are. If God does not help us, does not give us the possibility, the thought, the ingenuity, and the means, even something as trivial as a shoelace is out of our reach. If you go to buy a shoelace and you are mugged, or lose your money, or the shop is closed or you had to go back home because something happened, you would not have the shoelace. So, plead to God for anything you want, even if it is a shoelace, or any other trivial need, and even your daily food. Let this wrongly valued self—we say “I” and think that we are the center of convergence of every force—break down. This “I” [ego] is what makes man destitute.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; February 17, 1995
8- Internal obstacles
The path ahead is clear for us and the obstacles are also clear for the Iranian nation. You must overcome these obstacles. Both the internal obstacles and the external ones. The internal obstacles can be overcome by supplication to God, prayer, attention to God, self-edification, and reinforcing morals. If our hearts are not purified, we will not be able to build a correct world. If we are defective inside, we cannot fix a defective society and a defective world. The Iranian nation has a great responsibility that has to be fulfilled. They have to build a wonderful world both for themselves and for other societies. You can do it. But only if each and every one of us works on self-edification. Praying attentively, reciting Quran, prayer and supplication, fasting in Ramadan, and night prayers, especially for the youth who are more receptive, can be self-edifying.
At the gathering of the people of Mashhad and pilgrims of Imam Reza on Eyd al-Fitr; April 4, 1992
9- One hour in seclusion
Pray. Stand up the night in prayers. Contemplate. Be attentive [by dhikr]. Spend an hour between yourself and God. Put different occupations aside and get closer to God, God’s friends, and Imam Mahdi (God speed his reappearance). Get closer to Quran and reflect on it.
Meeting with government officials; August 14, 1991
10- Mosque as a base
Stablish brotherly ties with the imam of your mosque, the worshippers at the mosque, and the believers who visit the mosque, and safeguard and fortify those ties. Stand up in prayer at the earliest time, in congregation, in any mosque you find yourself in. Attend religious gatherings at mosques. Attend Quran and Dua recitation sessions … Make mosques more attractive.
Meeting with commanders of Basij from across the country; November 18, 1992
11- Like a mirror
I have repeatedly said before and I say it again: we are after quality recitation of Quran in this country to promote bond with and closeness to the Quran and the recitation of the Quran among people. My dear ones! Establish bonds with the Quran. Our language is different from the language of Quran [Arabic]. We can read the translation. But you would not comprehend the deep concepts in Quran just by referring to the translation. Even those who understand the text of the Quran do not always comprehend these concepts. This can be achieved by reflection, deep contemplation. You need to treat Quran like a mirror. Pure, bright, and clean, so that the Quran is reflected in our hearts. Quran has to be reflected in our souls.
Meeting with reciters of Quran; October 6, 2005
12. Every single day
Do not forget to recite the Holy Quran every day. Make sure that you recite the Holy Quran every day, as much as you can. Those of you who know Arabic should contemplate on the verses and those of you who do not know Arabic should have a well-translated version of the Holy Quran so that you can consult the translation. Thankfully, today there are many good translations of the Holy Quran. You may be able to recite only one or two pages in ten minutes, but make sure you continue reciting every day. Make this a part of your life. Use bookmarks so that every day you can pick up where you left off the previous day.
13- Let it sink in
Reciting the Holy Quran is a great virtue and very rewarding. But this recitation is a means to acquire knowledge. The Holy Quran is like a vast ocean. The more you advance, the more you get interested and your hearts become illuminated. It is necessary to reflect on the Holy Quran. I ask you, dear youth, again to become familiarized with the meanings of the Holy Quran and understand its translation. I have asked this of the youth time and again and many have taken action. When you read the Holy Quran on a daily basis, review the translation of what you have read too. Let the meanings sink in your fresh minds. Then you will find yourself reflecting on them.
The closing session of The Holy Quran memorization and recitation competition; October 30, 2000
14- We still have a long way to go
The Holy Quran is a book of knowledge, salvation, wellbeing, growth and development, and a book of closeness to God. When would we obtain these characteristics from the Holy Quran, my dear brothers? Is it enough to carry the Holy Quran with ourselves? Is it enough to pass under it when leaving to travel? Is it enough to attend Quran recitation sessions? Is it even sufficient to recite the Holy Quran beautifully or to listen to a beautiful recitation and enjoy it? No, there is another ingredient needed. What is it? That is reflection on the Holy Quran. You need to reflect on the Holy Quran. The holy Quran has repeatedly asked us to reflect on it. My dear ones! If we learn to get close to the Holy Quran through reflection and contemplation, then we will obtain all the characteristics I mentioned. We still have a long way to go. So we need to keep going.
The closing session of The Holy Quran recitation competition; January 4, 1995
15- Keeping the Holy Quran in mind
You, youth and teenagers who are learning the Holy Quran, know that you are creating a permanent reserve in yourselves to contemplate on. This is invaluable. When you are younger, you may not understand the deep meanings or comprehend the deep knowledge in the verses of the Holy Quran. You may only obtain little knowledge from it. But as your level of knowledge improves and your wisdom advances, you will benefit from the verses residing in your memory. Keeping the Holy Quran in mind is a great blessing. There is a difference between someone who looks for a subject in the Holy Quran over and over to find out if there are verses related to that subject, and someone who knows the verses by heart and can obtain and understand whatever knowledge is needed from the Holy Quran. Establishing bonds with the Holy Quran during childhood until youth is a great gift.
Meeting with a group of young keepers and reciters of the Holy Quran; September 19, 2001
16- The worst pain
Brothers, let’s not ignore. The worst divine torment for a nation is to become ignorant. The worst pain for society is ignorance. Let’s not be ignorant and forget God. We must remember God with our hearts and souls in every decision making, every movement, every work, be it administrative, political, military, or management, and every moment, when assigning a budget, making law, or passing judgment, and in every stage. We must work for God. That way, society will move forward.
Meeting with the members of the Cabinet
17- The end of revolutionary effervescence
When performing congregational prayers, your prayers need to be with attention to and with humility before God. When observing I’tikaf, when fasting, when gathering for a religious ceremony, it needs to be with utmost attention to God and with sincerity. These are keys to success. If these are missing, fate will be what you know happened to some people. In the beginning of the revolution, some were very enthusiastic and excited. But their religious thoughts were unfortunately not deeply rooted. With the first cold wind of propaganda from the enemies, they lost their revolutionary effervescence. Some of them completely shifted their positions … This was because they lacked depth. Because their beliefs had no roots.
Meeting with the students and professors of the universities in Kerman province; May 9, 2005
18. Everyone Can
One point is that all the people - particularly our dear youth - should not allow the relationship which they have established with Allah the Exalted to break off. You should preserve this relationship with God. And the means to achieve this purpose is available to everyone. If five-time daily prayers are said with careful attention and by considering the fact that we have stood before God, this will be the best relationship and it will make your hearts more enlightened on a daily basis. Those youth who gathered in mosques, hussainiyahs and holy places during the Nights of Qadr in order to shed tears, pray, recite the Holy Quran and enlighten their hearts with the light of divine kindness should preserve this relationship because they will benefit from it. By Allah's favor, this relationship will be strengthened over time and in future years. This is how human beings can achieve perfection and the goal for which they were created. Success in all the areas of life depends on this.
19- The most serious danger
If we want to achieve repentance, this divine blessing, we need to get rid of two traits: one is ignorance, and the other one is vanity. Ignorance is when one is not aware of their sin. Like some people … some of these ignorant people do not even believe in reward and punishment. Some others, believe in reward and punishment, but they are totally ignorant and do not realize what they do. If we focus on our own lives, we will see that sometimes we are like those ignorant individuals. Ignorance is a very startling enemy and a serious danger. In fact, there may be no danger more serious and no enemy greater than ignorance. In the words of the Holy Quran, the opposite of ignorance is piety. Piety means being vigilant and self-observant at all times.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; January 17, 1997
20- Return to God
To feel guilty, there is no need to commit sins for years. No; even a single sin counts. Sins must not be underestimated. In a Hadith about “underestimating sins,” it is narrated that underestimation of sins is disapproved. The reason for this is that God has said “we will forgive”. For this reason, repentance and returning to God is very important, not that committing a sin is unimportant or trivial. On the contrary, it is very dangerous. But returning to God, paying attention to God and Dhikr are so important that if done honestly and correctly, then that incurable disease will be cured.
January 17, 1997
21. Plead to God
The second point is that all kinds of requests - even small ones - can and should be made to God during these prayers, supplications, and dhikrs. However, you should not confine your requests to minor needs. There are greater needs and requests which should not be forgotten. The greatest request is divine forgiveness. You should ask God to remove signs of sin and violation from your hearts and souls. You should ask God to smooth the path of repentance for you. Another great request is divine kindness. You should ask Allah the Exalted to bestow His kindness on you. Another great request is correcting the affairs of the Islamic Ummah. You should ask Allah the Exalted to correct the affairs of all Muslims - not only the people of Iran - and all Islamic countries. You should ask Him to guide humanity towards the straight path. These prayers have a good chance of being answered. They are the ones which are answered. They open the path and prepare the ground. They help us to reach great goals.
22- Multidimensional blessings
Dua brings one closer to God. It makes knowledge effective and permanent in the heart. It strengthens faith, and this is all besides what is asked for in the Dua, which is a supplication to God and is, God willing, fulfilled. So, Dua has multidimensional blessings. That is why the Holy Quran repeatedly speaks about Dua, and supplications by pious servants of God. This is all a lesson for us.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; December 25, 1998
23- If we are into supplication and dua
Value time. Plead to God beseechingly and earnestly, for great requests: those of the Islamic Ummah, those of the Islamic country, those of your nation, and your personal needs. Then, make a promise that you will make whatever effort required to achieve that request and that you are willing to strive for the sake of God… Appreciate the opportunities to make Duas. God will answer these prayers and fulfill the requests. Many of our society’s material necessities will be definitely fulfilled, provided that it is a society of piety, Dua, and morality.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; December 25, 1998
24- A bad sign
There is a hadith, and I am not sure if it is narrated from the infallible Imams or someone else, but anyway it is a wise saying that holds: “I fear losing the chance to make dua more than I fear my dua’s rejection.” Sometimes we miss the motivation for Dua. This is a bad sign. If we are not motivated when praying, it is not a good sign. Of course, it can be remedied. We can regain the motivation for Dua from God, by paying attention, by pleading beseechingly and earnestly.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; February 17, 1995
25- Say whatever your broken desires to say
It is narrated in ahadith that when praying, do not consider your request as big. That is, ask for whatever you want from God. Do not think that it may be too much, and you should ask for less in order to get an answer. We are forbidden from considering our requests too much. That is, not to consider your request and what you wish for too much before God. Ask God for great things and God will answer your requests. Do not get disappointed from praying. Do not close this path, and do not lose this means that God has provided his servants with. We are of course advised in Hadith not to precipitate in Dua. If you asked for something and your request was not fulfilled, do not consider that your prayer was not answered. Everything will come to its fate in its time.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; February 25, 2013
26- Be ambitious
Be ambitious when making Dua. Ask for great things. Ask for prosperity in this world and the hereafter, and do not consider it too great or too much. No, for God these are trivial. What matters is that you ask sincerely and under these conditions. God will fulfill this kind of request. Sometimes you would not even know that what happens is the answer to your prayers. You may be totally unaware.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; October 21, 2005
27- The most readily available benefit
Dua is not only for a time of plight. You should always pray. Some might think that they are only supposed to pray at times of difficulty and plight. No, even during normal times of life, one should pray and keep the relation with God intact. The euphemism used in Hadith is that your voice should become familiar to the angels. Dua is always necessary … The greatest benefit of Dua is its most readily available one which directly affects the person praying. That is the creation of a relation with God and the feeling of love and enthusiasm to get close to God. This is the most readily available benefit of Dua which benefits you. Your requests in Dua being satisfied is another matter.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; October 21, 2005
28. The chance of one’s duas being accepted
Duas do not have to contradict natural laws and go against them. Dua is accepted and your request is satisfied within the framework of natural laws. It is the power of God to unify the laws and arrange them in a way that fulfills your request … Although, there are examples of laws being overshadowed by Dua. But this does not mean that if your prayers contradict other divine laws and are not accompanied by action, and the prayers are even void of attention, they will be satisfied. No; praying needs to be with asking from God, and requires pleading. This kind of Dua will be answered. If this kind of Dua is accompanied by action and effort, then this Dua has a better chance of being accepted. If prayer is repeated several times without being answered, you should not get disappointed. Especially in important matters, and in particular when it is about the fate of man, the country, or nations. Because sometimes, great projects naturally need more time to be realized.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; December 25, 1998
29. Ask again and again
One of the required conditions for acceptance of duas is that we express them with attention. Sometimes, people might repeatedly say—with no real attention to the meaning –phrases like ‘Oh God forgive us’, ‘Oh God expand our share from your blessings’, and ‘Oh God help us pay our debts’. A person might say duas like that for ten years, but their duas won’t be accepted. You should supplicate to God and implore. You should beseech to God earnestly. Ask again and again. In this manner, God, the Exalted, will surely accept the duas and realize them.
Statements made during a Friday prayers sermon in Tehran
February 17, 1995
30. Teach us, too!
My advice is to practice self-observation during these 3 days spent in mosques. When you speak, when you eat, socialize, read, think, or plan for the future, always prefer God's satisfaction and will over your yearnings and desires. Do not surrender to your desires. Practicing these observances during the 3 days of I’tikaf can be a lesson for those dear ones performing it and for us sitting here, watching our dear young ones in Itikaf. Teach us with your actions.
Statements made during a Friday prayers sermon in Tehran
August 19, 2005
31. Remember this night
One of the most important days of the year is Sha’ban 15th, which coincides with the birth anniversary of the auspicious Imam Mahdi (a.s.) [may our souls be sacrificed for him] and apart from his birth anniversary, the night and day of this date is a holy time. The eve of Sha’ban the 15th is very sacred; it is similar to Qadr nights and it is the time of attention to, remembrance of and tawassul (seeking intercession) from the blessings of the Exalted God, and seeking and pleading. There are also prayers and duas, that if you have succeeded to do them, God will accept them, Insha’Allah. If some people have neglected its importance so far, they should remember to take advantage of the eve of Sha’ban 15th every year from now on.
Meeting with different groups of people on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)
December 16, 1997
32. True awaiting
The most important responsibility of the individuals who await the coming of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is to improve spiritual, ethical and practical aspects and to establish religious and affective bonds with believers and also get prepared for confronting the coercive people. Those who, during the sacred defense era, participated in the sacred defense enthusiastically were the ones who truly awaited Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his return). The person who is ready to defend the values, the Islamic homeland and the risen flag of Islam, when the country is threatened by the enemies, can claim that when Imam Mahdi (a.s.) comes, he would follow his steps in dangerous fields. But those who are weak in face of dangers, deviations, ups and downs of the world, those who won’t do anything that would put their own interests at risk, can never be regarded as truly awaiting Imam Mahdi (a.s.). A person who awaits that great redeemer should prepare in themselves the bases for redemption; and act in a manner so they can resist and redemption is realized.
Meeting with the people on the event of Sha’ban 15th, in Tehran’s Musalla; September 25, 2002
33. It will become auspicious
We should value the opportunity of fasting, performing rituals and the atmosphere of worshiping and spirituality, and try to approach God. Taking distance from sins, approaching religious rituals, activating and enhancing ethics, and humane characteristics and behaviors, are true causes of blessings for every person and community. We should take lessons from the Quran. We should learn from the duas. We should ponder the purposes of our creation, our formation, the great endowments offered to us by God, and heavy responsibilities on our shoulders. We should contemplate over death and divine judgment, the importance of prayers and deeds—when they are done sincerely. Then, the month of Ramadan will become a very auspicious month.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran
December 25, 1998
34. We should remain hopeful
Our people, our youth, our men and women are determined to purify themselves during these nights. The hearts will become soft, the eyes will become tearful, the souls will become affective. Fasting has also helped. We should be hopeful, pray to God, and try to reach spiritual ascent in these nights. Because prayers are the means for the ascension of the believers. The night of Qadr is also the means that can lead to ascension. We should act in a way so we can ascend, getting as far as possible away from the materialistic abyss inflicted on many people across the world. The material attachments, bad temperaments-- inhumane tendencies-- aggressive behaviors, avarice, corruption, and oppression are detrimental to humans' souls. These nights should keep us away from these calamities.
Statements from a Friday prayer sermon in Tehran; November 5, 2004
35. We are not dearer
You and I are not dearer to God than others who lived before us, or those who will live after us; unless our deeds and piety are better than theirs. Heed that. If we prove more piety, more edification, act better, observe our duties and laws better, and we advance better toward these goals, we will be dearer to God, but not otherwise. We should focus our efforts on this direction. We should be cautious not to fall in the traps others have fallen in. Anyone who is trapped will have the adverse destiny and disasters; and in that there is no difference between them and us.
Meeting with the members of the Cabinet
October 9, 2005
36. We more...
Besides the fact that every Muslim needs to equip themselves with reserves on piety and edification, we as the clergymen, need this notion more than others. As that well-known mystic stated, ‘water which is a divine blessing eradicates impurities and treacheries.’ Any object that is in contact with water becomes clean. But the water itself, when it comes in contact with filthy objects, will need purification. The Almighty God, in a natural cycle, changes water into steam, takes it into the sky, and then returns it to earth again as raindrops, purifying it from the filth, refining it, and He puts it in the disposition of humans and other creatures again.
The narrator of these wise words continues: ‘your soul, your knowledge, your advice, your heart, and spirit are the pure water that removes the filth from humans, but this pure water will need purification and edification gradually, and its refining is not possible but by a spiritual ascent, but by a spiritual movement toward the highest levels-- which is achieved by praying and supplicating to God.’
By words of remembering, by reliance, by praying, and supplicating to God, by pondering over the concrete and abstract signs, this pure water will find its purity again. It will become ready for confronting the filth, removing them from the souls and spirits of humankind. The month of Ramadan is an opportunity for this spiritual ascent.
Meeting with religious scholars and clergymen ahead of the holy month of Ramadan; December 24, 1997
37. Spiritually exhausted
When walking long distances, sometimes a person may still have physical energy, but he might be tired in spirit. This tiredness in spirit can prevent mankind from reaching goals. In order to avoid this spiritual tiredness --which is sometimes even more dangerous than physical tiredness--, one should ask God for help, rely on God, and be hopeful on divine assistance. Do not let go of it and keep it.
Statements at a meeting with members of the Cabinet; October 9, 2005
38. Avoid mere appearance
In religious ceremonies attend to the soul of the ceremony. Avoid mere appearance: one recites a poem to make others cry or to cry himself. The soul of the prayers represents establishing a relation with God, getting to know God, relishing spirituality, purifying the soul and refining the mind from temptations. Perform prayers attentively and timely. Dogmatism is bad. Not contemplating beneath the deep layers of the appearance is a major shortcoming. Beware not to be afflicted with this deficiency.
In meeting with university students and faculty members Kerman province
May 9, 2005
39. The Companionship of Wisdom
I advise you to attend to the depths and seek them but do not let go of the appearances either. It is a mistake to think that one should correct only the inside and the appearance is not important. The appearance is important because it can lead mankind to different directions. Religious appearance, Islamic appearance, commitment to religious rituals, the ceremonies for praying and supplicating to God and seeking intercession through the Imams (a.s.) are necessary; yet, all of them should be accompanied with wisdom and knowledge.
In meeting with university students and faculty members Kerman province; May 9, 2005
40. Appreciating your youth
The most important manifestation of appreciating the value of youth is to use this purity, brightness, wholesomeness, and splendor naturally found in a young human to advance yourselves in ethics and self-edification. This will be a reserve for your entire life, God willing. It is achievable by observing two points: dhikr and repentance.
Dhikr means remembering; as opposed to ignoring; neglecting God, duties, and responsibilities, neglecting the sensitive moment of meeting God’s agents in the next world, the world of traveling beyond corporality, and the day of the grand calculation of mankind’s deeds before God in the Hereafter. Remembering these moments is determining.[…]
The other point is repentance. One might say, ‘we are still young, and we haven’t committed many sins like you, to need to repent. But this is not true. Repentance is mankind’s’ duty at any time. The most pious humans should repent, too.
Meeting with Shahid Beheshti University students; May 12, 2003
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