Khamenei.ir

Two effects among the great effects of believing in Mahdawiyyah

On the matter of the birth anniversary of his excellency [Imam Mahdi], and the belief in this truth, if one investigates and searches in two directions or areas, they will notice great results: Firstly, in the spiritual and mental aspect with regard to closeness to God and individual development of humans. The person who believes in this cause-since they build spiritual relation with the center of divine blessings, the pivotal point and core of God's mercy, will have a better opportunity for enjoying the means of spiritual development and closeness to God. That is why, the people of wisdom, in their spiritual supplication, constantly consider him and give special attention to his excellency. Spiritual bond, remembrance, and attention to the manifestation of God’s mercy, power and justice will itself lead humans to growth and elevation, and provides them with the means of progress in spirituality and wisdom. The second aspect is in the social and public life and what relates to the collective fate of nations and humanity. In this arena, believing in Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and his reappearance represents a great resource from which nations can benefit a lot. Imagine a ship in a stormy sea. If the people aboard the ship believe that there is no land around their ship within thousands of miles, and they have limited food and water reserves and limited means for movement, what would they do? Can you imagine that they would take any actions at all to move the ship forward? No! Because they think their death is inevitable, they have no hope to take any measures.

The birth of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is an Eid for all the mankind

The birth anniversary of the promised Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is a true Eid for all the humans; for all those who underwent a suffering, oppression; those whose hearts have been broken; who have wept; who have waited, or have endured hardships during their life-- anywhere on the Earth, or at any point of history. All of those people have felt hopeful, happy and enthusiastic on this day, and in hope for this day. This great birth and important fact does not belong to a single nation or time. It belongs to the entire humanity. It represents a covenant between God and humans: “Peace be upon you, O the covenant of Allah, which He took it and He fastened it [Ziarat of Aale Yassin].” It represents God’s guaranteed promise: “Peace be upon you, O the promise of Allah which He guaranteed it [Aale Yassin Ziarat].” All humans throughout history have felt the spiritual and heartfelt quest for this great and extraordinary phenomenon. Because the history, since the beginning till today, and since today till the world's glowing sun rises [till Imam Mahdi (a.s.) reappears] has been filled with evil and oppression. All those who have suffered from oppression and those who witnessed the sufferings of others and were heartbroken upon it, will feel hope in their hearts by remembering the birth anniversary of the great redeemer of history and humanity.

Believing in Imam Mahdi (a.s.) gives one vitality and enthusiasm

Hope will lead the people to endure, to open up the path ahead and advance. When you are told to await, it means the present sufferings are not going to last forever. You see, how this makes one enthusiastic and hopeful? This is the effect of believing in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (God’s peace and mercy be upon him and our souls be sacrificed for him). This is the effect of the belief in the Promised Mahdi (a.s.). This belief has helped the Shia over many years to surpass all the obstacles so today, thanks be to God, the flag of dignity of Islam and the Quran is in your hands—the Muslims and [particularly] Shias of Iran. Wherever this belief exists, the same hope and fighting exist, too.

A selection of statements while meeting with a group of clergymen

By rejecting Hijab, shocking statistics on violence against women have not declined

In the West, including the United States, where they endlessly talk about equality of rights for men and women, there are horrendous statistics of violence against women, and of using them in different settings. So the issues concerning women are not resolved by the solutions provided by the West, and by rejecting Hijab and religious constraints, these problems worsen. On the other hand, Islam endeavors to create a healthy environment based on reason and thought, where the weak would not be dominated... Contrary to the West's rants about Hijab as something that limits the rights and liberties of women, Hijab has nothing to do with [suppressing] the rights and liberties of women. Hijab is a must for men and women that has to be observed by each in a certain way. Because by removing Hijab, women would face the same fate that has afflicted women in Western environments through abusing them. Islam's approach to Hijab is a very wise approach. Hijab is relevant in the limits of personal lives of men and women, and in this regard, Chador, while not proven essential, is considered to be the best Hijab. Sacred Islamic laws have defined the limits of Hijab that must be respected, without having to fall for the extremes.

By preventing hijab in the West, has the rate of violence against women increased or decreased?

In the West, including the United States, where they endlessly talk about equality of rights for men and women, there are horrendous statistics of violence against women, and of using them in different settings. So the issues concerning women are not resolved by the solutions provided by the West, and by rejecting Hijab and religious constraints, these problems worsen. On the other hand, Islam endeavors to create a healthy environment based on reason and thought, where the weak would not be dominated... Contrary to the West's rants about Hijab as something that limits the rights and liberties of women, Hijab has nothing to do with [suppressing] the rights and liberties of women. Hijab is a must for men and women that has to be observed by each in a certain way. Because by removing Hijab, women would face the same fate that has afflicted women in Western environments through abusing them. Islam's approach to Hijab is a very wise approach. Hijab is relevant in the limits of personal lives of men and women, and in this regard, Chador, while not proven essential, is considered to be the best Hijab. Sacred Islamic laws have defined the limits of Hijab that must be respected, without having to fall for the extremes.

An excerpt of statements made in meeting with a group of students

Why did the Pahlavi and Qajar regimes confront the clergy?

One of the most important tasks given to Reza Khan was to divest the clergy of any influence with the intention of destroying religion. So, once he took power in 1934 and 1935 he began to dismantle the clergy’s influence. Reza Khan adopted a coercive manner. He assumed he could carry out his work with coercion. He banned wearing a turban and the long robe, as well as clergy titles and seminaries. He devastated—as he thought—the seminaries of Qom and Mashhad, as much as possible. Of course, he could not. Our dear Imam Khomeini was one of the seminary students of that era, the time when the clergy was supposed to completely collapse, due to Reza Khan’s pressures and repressions. But not only the clergy did persisted, but also people like the magnanimous Imam Khomeini emerged among them. The Reza Khan's dynasty did not comprise of only Reza Khan. There were also some of the so-called scholars, thinkers and ideologists of the Reza Khani system who would plan and suggest ideas. When they saw that the pressures did not work, they developed a new plan with the Reza Khan’s money, support and Command and Policy Organization. The plan included the establishment of an institute named "Wa'z wa Khataba" in Tehran. Unfortunately, the young generation are not familiar with these facts. The establishment of "Wa'z wa Khataba" [literally: preaching and sermons] dates back to 1937 and 1938-- two or three years after the beginning of opposing the clergy. The institute was founded so that anyone who wanted to remain a clergyman could remain a clergyman only if they were under the supervision of this institute, which was affiliated to Reza Khan! In other words, they only wanted clergymen who would comply with Reza Khan and serve the policies of the arrogant power.

Statements made during a meeting with the People of Sari

A selection of statements during a meeting with a number of the Army’s staff and commanders

An excerpt of statements made during a Dars-e-Kharej seminary lecture

Reza Khan was a rowdy lout

If you see that all respectful Iranian people are opposed to Reza Khan, it is because Reza Khan was a rowdy lout absolutely ignorant and unperceptive of religion. He grew up in an uneducated, rowdy family, unfamiliar with religious teachings, and when he grew up, he roamed about in cafes and bars with louts. Reza Khan was not familiar with religion at all. He was potentially ready to counter the religion—with the purpose of obliterating it. There are some mistrustful and distasteful individuals who sometimes praise, for instance the construction works done during the reign of Reza Khan, saying he developed railways and established security! They should ask whether the construction of the railway and the establishment of security were for the good of the people or foreign powers?! Who benefited from these so-called construction projects? In fact, Reza Khan was an agent that the British appointed to put an end to the religious system in Iran. For the same reason, in 1935 Reza Khan prohibited wearing a turban and banned the presence of clerics in the society, disrupted the seminary system and forced the clergy to remain at their homes.

Statements made during the sixth anniversary of the passing away of Imam Khomeini (r.a.)

Statements made during a meeting with a group of clerics

The west is in search of a lost treasure whose ultimate value is hidden in Ashura

One of our own Iranian thinkers had said—I heard that the person passed away— that "today the West is looking for figures like Sheikh Ansari and Mulla Sadra." Their life, spirituality and values attract western figures and western thinkers today. The source of all these treasures of truths and values is Islamic knowledge, and at the peak of this treasure of knowledge, is the knowledge of Ashura.

We are praying sincerely for the Afghan people: Imam Khamenei

Following the murderous attack by Takfiri groups on Kabul University on November 2, 2020, which resulted in the death of a number of Afghan students, Khamenei.ir is publishing a portion of Imam Khamenei's statements in meeting with Afghan diplomats in 1995 about the friendship between the Iranian and Afghan nations.

An excerpt of statements made during a Friday prayer sermon

Reza Khan perpetrated the extension of the D'Arcy Concession for 60 years

In the final years of the frail Qajar reign, the British wanted someone to eliminate those who rebelled in different corners of Iran. In order to prevent the threatening of their interests, they needed a thug, a bully who would at the same time comply with them. They came up with Reza Khan; they trained him and prepared him for what they wanted. First, he was a commander of the army and the prime minister, and then he was appointed as the king and the head of Iran! Only a few years after Reza Khan had come to power by the British, he started thinking he could ask them for more money in return for oil. Of course, his submission to the British did not cease; however, every servant might, at times, consider asking his master for more money! His hounding temperament incited him to adopt a bulling manner towards the D'Arcy Concession, which still had thirty years to end. He entered a meeting of regime officials and put the D'Arcy Concession in the fireplace and burned it! When he was told that "thirty years remained of the validity of the contract”, he said: "What sort of a contract is this? They must give us more money for oil." And, who was the other party of the contract? A British company! Once Reza Khan did this to the D'Arcy Concession, the British government reacted and made a lot of fuss. Eventually, the British defeated Reza Khan and made the contract last for another sixty years, which originally had only thirty years left of its validity. That is, he signed another agreement with the British. This was what the British did with respect to Iran's oil, from Qajar to the end of Reza Khan's rule.

A selected collection of statements made during a meeting with artists and cinema experts

Jesus Christ called on people to follow the path of God and Prosperity

Jesus Christ called on people to follow the path of God which is the path of prosperity for human beings. And he warned people against pursuing carnal desires and undermining their spiritual purity through engaging in evil deeds and oppressing others. The corrupt and bullying powers that are dependent on wealth and power persecuted that divine prophet and leveled insults against him. They even tried to take his life. And when God saved the life of Jesus Christ, these powers inflicted several years of horrible torture on the disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. They were trying to put an end to the teachings of Jesus Christ which were against corruption, oppression, polytheism, causing war, deceiving people, and pursuing carnal desires. Those corrupt and oppressive powers who pursued carnal desires, caused wars against people, and deceived them could not tolerate the existence of divine faiths and prophets and those who followed the path of God. Today, too, those kinds of powers would not tolerate the servants of God and the followers of the divine religions or truth seekers. Following Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) requires supporting the truth and abhorring the powers against the truth; hopefully Christians and Muslims anywhere in the world, will keep alive in their life and deeds this great lesson taught by Jesus Christ.

Excerpts from statements made during a meeting with a group of nurses

The greatest work of creation is designated to women

Women and their treatment in societies have always been important issues in different societies and civilizations. Half of the world population are women. Life in this universe is as much dependent on women as on men. Women, naturally are responsible for the biggest works in the universe. The main responsibilities in the universe, such as procreation and education of children are taken by women. So the issue of women is an important issue and has always been in societies, among thinkers, and in nations' different customs and habits. Islam has chosen a bold issue here. It has prevented from excess and cautioned everyone in the world. Islam totally confronted men who employed men and women out of physical power or wealth, and treated women with cruelty or contempt, and put women in their true place, and in some ways put them on a par with men: "truly Muslim men and women, and pious men and women ... ". Muslim men, Muslim women, praiseful men, praiseful women, worshipful men, worshipful women. So, in Islam, all these moral ranks, and human degrees have been equally divided between men and women. In this regard, men and women are equal. Anyone who endeavors for God, "man or woman", be it a man or a woman, "we will grant them a blessed life". Sometimes, Islam has even given preference to women over men. For example, when it comes to a man and a woman who are father and mother to a child. The child belongs to both of them, but being at the service of the mother is more necessary for the child. Mother's rights over the child are more, and the child's responsibility towards the mother is greater.

The Argentinian people believe the AMIA incident was caused by the U.S & Zionist regime

On the anniversary of the July 18, 1994 bombing of the Israeli-Argentine Mutual Association, Khamenei.ir is publishing an excerpt from the remarks made by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution about the efforts of the US and Zionist regime to accuse Iran of involvement in this incident. These remarks were made on August 26, 1994.

Imam Khamenei's question from some of the world’s crude oil producers

Statements made in meeting with a group of clergy

Why did the Pahlavi and Qajar regimes confront the clergy?

The Pahlavi regime was spreading propaganda against the clergy in this country for 50 years. Of course, it was not just the Pahlavi regime. But they did the worst, the most abhorrent. If you study the history of the recent century or so, you will understand that the war on the clergy started during the rule of the Qajar, especially with the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah. When they saw that the clergy opposed granting concessions to foreigners-- including the Reuter concession and the tobacco concession; the widespread and increasing corruption; the oppression by the monarchy, especially during the rule of Nasser al-Din Shah; and the entering of Europeans to Iran who were considered above the law, they began to realize themselves—were also trained as such by those Europeans—that if they wanted enjoy freedom of action, they would have to get rid of the clergy. But it was not possible to get rid of the clergy. They could not simply murder so many clergymen and scholars or make them disappear. They did do that on some occasions. They killed Ayatollah Nouri, Sayyed Abdullah Behbahani, and many other great men around the country; however, when they could not physically remove them all from the scene, they began to apply different means. The best way for them was propaganda. They spread all sorts of propaganda against religious leaders. We were studying in the madrasa, and did not get involved in anything else. We did not realize that the entire hegemonic front of the world of was trying to annihilate religious study and religious scholars through propaganda. Do not think that they did not succeed. They did a lot of damage. For 50 years, during the reign of Reza Shah and his son, they spread a lot of propaganda against the clergy. What was the result? The result was pessimism towards the clergy among a group of people. Of course the majority of the people, the working-class people, still like the clergy and support them. They are deeply passionate about the religious studies community, and are emotionally and rationally dependent on them. Nonetheless, they could make a group of people pessimistic about the clergy. Religious scholars, and students who have spent their life studying and have not thought about anything else may not believe this.

Excerpts from the speech delivered in meeting with members of IRGC

Jesus never hesitated to fight evil and call people to piety

Jesus Christ was equipped with the power of performing miracles and carried a divine message for humanity which saved them from the darkness of polytheism, atheism, ignorance, and oppression and guided them towards justice, knowledge, and worshiping God. He never hesitated to fight evil and call people to piety throughout his life. And this is the lesson which all Christians and Muslims who believe in the prophethood of Jesus Christ should learn. Today humanity is in need of these teachings more than ever before. And Islam which is a complement to real Christianity has put calling humanity to piety and moral perfection high on its priority list. Making use of the great powers of nature through their God-given knowledge, misguided humans tend to tread a different path, and this makes the duty of the followers of divine faiths even heavier. The domineering powers and governments of the world have made life difficult for nations and individuals and do not refrain from inflicting any type of oppression on them. They do these things in the name of Christianity. These powers are in fact totally unaware of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Hijab will give merit and respect to a woman

In the Islamic society, Muslim women have a special status and character and Hijab represents a symbol of her character and status. Hijab is a sign of reverence for women and Islam reveres all women who observe the modest clothing (Hijab). In Islamic establishment, women need to have political awareness, develop the skill of managing a household, and be symbols of integrity, purity, and self-esteem at the forefront of social, political, and scientific activities and services. They need to pay attention to the fact that Hijab is the primary condition [to get involved in those activities]. Because without it, women will not find the liberty and the space to pursue high ranks.

Love for the Prophet (pbuh) is the solution to the problems of the Islamic nation

It is easier for the Muslims of the world to unite under the name of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) than anything else. This is a characteristic of that great personage. I have said this several times, “He is the focal point of the Muslims' emotions. A Muslim loves his/her Prophet.” O God! Bear witness that our hearts are filled with love for the Prophet. This love should be used. This love can solve problems. Today, Muslims need brotherhood. Today, the words "Believers are indeed brothers, therefore make things right among your two brothers” [Qur’an, 49:10], are more crucial than any other time. Today, the weakness and lack of dignity that Muslims suffer from in some countries of the world, is a result of disagreement and division. If Muslims had been united, Palestine would not be like this, Bosnia too. Kashmir would be in a different situation too. Tajikistan's condition would be different. The Muslims in Europe would not have to live with so much difficulty. The Muslims in the United States would not have to endure so much oppression. The reason for all these is the division between us.