In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds, and may peace and greetings be upon our Master and our Prophet, Abul-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure, immaculate Progeny, his chosen companions and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgment.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the esteemed gentlemen, my dear brothers and the active members of the important Assembly of Experts. I would like to thank Mr. Bushehri for his detailed, comprehensive presentation in this session on the proceedings of the Assembly of Experts. He raised some very important points in conveying the message of the Assembly. You have brought up some very critical issues. I hope you can follow up on them and make certain demands so that, God willing, these matters can be addressed.
In brief, the topic I have prepared to discuss with you gentlemen is the following. In terms of the concept of the Assembly of Experts and the title given to it in the Constitution and the system, it is one of the most revolutionary institutions of the Islamic Republic. When I say "most revolutionary" I mean most closely related to the Islamic Revolution. In this sense, this [Assembly] is one of the most revolutionary institutions of the Revolution. The reason I describe it as being the "most revolutionary" is due to its role in selecting the Leader. This is a very important role. It is a unique role, and praise God, the Assembly of Experts is prepared for this role. It must be prepared for this. I would like to share a few words with you in this regard.
Within the structure and general framework of the Islamic system, the primary role of the Leader is to ensure that the system’s orientation is directed toward the goals of the Revolution. This is the main responsibility of the Leader. The Revolution took place for a purpose. Of course, all revolutions have goals. They have fundamental goals that lead them to reshape and transform the order of life. If we were to summarize the goal of the Islamic Revolution, it is to achieve tawhid [monotheism] in the lives of the people of the country.
In its knowledge-related and conceptual dimension, "tawhid" is a concept capable of expansion commensurate with the varying degree of human understanding and knowledge. This concept must be realized in the lives of the society. That is, tawhid must be realized within the society since tawhid is the essence of religion. The core and entirety of religion is tawhid. This is the goal of the Islamic Revolution. This is a topic that warrants further discussion, explanation, and elaboration, but we will not address that right now.
In order for an Islamic society to approach this goal and for a tawhidi [monotheistic] society to be established, efforts are required and obstacles must be overcome. Obstacles invariably arise on the path leading to this objective and there are incentives for some to want to impede this movement. There are incentives. These incentives are motivated by a desire to prevent the Revolution and the system from moving toward and achieving their goals. They seek to halt and even reverse this progress. Now, even if this reversal involves returning to the previous regressive state, albeit in a new guise, these incentives exist.
We have witnessed these same incentives in other revolutions and they succeeded. They were able to prevent those revolutions from achieving their goals and reverse their course. For instance, in the great French Revolution, which was one of the most significant revolutions in our contemporary history, barely 15 years had passed since the start of that revolution when the previous authoritarian monarchy and dictatorship were reestablished.
All the efforts of the people, the endeavors of renowned French intellectuals, the efforts and struggles of the masses, the casualties, the massacres, the conflicts — all of these were essentially nullified and destroyed in less than 15 years!
A similar but worse case was what happened to the Soviet Revolution, which was also another major revolution. There too within less than a decade, the claims, the rhetoric, the professed justice and so-called "communist democracy" they had espoused all vanished. A dictator, a ruthless tyrant like Stalin, seized power and that was the end of it. So this is a risk that all revolutions face.
The Quran repeatedly emphasizes and warns about this matter, not just once or twice, but perhaps tens of times. The holy verses of the Quran repeatedly speak about regression and returning to the previous state from which people had been liberated and saved. This warning is directed toward both the believers and the unbelievers. In some cases, unbelievers are reminded that they are following the same path of those before them.
This noble verse, found in Surah Al-Tawbah states, "You too enjoy your share, just like those who were before you enjoyed their share, and you have gossiped [impiously] as they gossiped" (Quran 9:69). This means that they are being reminded of their repeating the same actions of those who came before them. They are being told that they are following the same practices of those before them. Or in the noble verse in Surah Ibrahim it states, "Warn people of the day when the punishment will overtake them" (14:44). This is followed by, "While you dwelt in the dwellings of those who had wronged themselves [before], and it had been made clear to you how We had dealt with them [before you], and We had [also] cited examples for you" (14:45).
In numerous verses of the Quran, the believers are also warned of this threat. I have noted a few verses here, "O you who have faith! If you obey the unbelievers, they will turn you back on your heels and you will become losers" (3:149). This is in the noble Surah Al-Imran. The Quran warns that if you become negligent or obey the unbelievers, you will turn back, regress, and slip into a state of decline.
And in the noble Surah Al-Imran, it is also stated, "O you who have faith, if you obey a part of those who were given the Book, they will turn you back after your faith into unbelieving people" (3:100). Similarly, in the noble Surah Al-Baqarah, "They will not cease fighting you until they turn you away from your religion, if they can" (2:217). And in another noble verse in the same Surah it states, "Many of the People of the Book are eager to turn you into unbelievers after your faith" (2:109). Hence this issue of regression, stagnation, and turning back is not a trivial matter. It’s a very significant issue, and the Quran has addressed it. We have witnessed such cases in recent history and we have also seen them in the past.
An element is necessary to prevent this [regression]. In the Islamic system, this element is the position of the Leader. Such a deviation must be prevented by a leader. This is very important. It is very important! Therefore, the importance of the Assembly of Experts is because appointing the person responsible for this mission is a very important matter. In other words, it [the Assembly of Experts] is responsible for appointing the [country’s] Leader. That’s why it’s so important.
That’s why I said it [the Assembly of Experts] is among the most revolutionary institutions. Conceptually this is its position. But in specific instances, various situations may arise. Sometimes its actions may be in accord with this concept, and sometimes they may not. Similarly, in the case of the Leadership, there may be times when it can fulfill its role and other times when it cannot. Of course, regarding the Leadership, "not wanting" to do something is not an option. It's more about whether it can be done or cannot be done.
There is another crucial point regarding the responsibility of the Assembly of Experts which is that the establishment and creation of the Assembly of Experts signifies the uninterrupted progress of the Islamic system. This means that there will be no pause or interruption in the system. The Assembly of Experts exists to be able to designate a successor. Therefore, this succession will continue with full strength, power, and ability. This readiness and presence of the Assembly of Experts has such a meaning. If the current Leader were to be absent, the Assembly of Experts would immediately take action to select a successor. It is like this.
There is also an important secondary meaning here which is that these transitions show the Islamic system and the Islamic Revolution are not dependent on individuals. Individuals have roles, missions to fulfill, and they play an important part. However, the system is not dependent on them and can continue on its path even if that particular individual is no longer among them.
Almighty God has said this about the Holy Prophet, the greatest and most important figure in this world and the Hereafter, "If he dies or is slain, will you turn back on your heels?" (Quran 3:144). Imagine this, this noble verse is about the Battle of Uhud which took place in the third year after the Hijra [the migration of the Prophet (pbuh) and Muslims from Mecca to Medina]. Almighty God revealed this noble verse as a warning to the people. The tone of this verse is one of reproach and reprimand. It asks if you who were so disturbed by the rumor about the Prophet being killed and you said certain things, what [would you do] if the Prophet were no longer here? “Will you turn back on your heels?" So, this is a Quranic reprimand.
Now suppose the Prophet wasn’t present in the third year of his mission. The Islamic system, which had not yet become fully strong and had not yet acquired the necessary capabilities, would have been deprived of the Prophet. [Even] under such circumstances, God would not accept the people turning back, "Will you turn back on your heels?" This highlights the significance of the issue of turning back and the idea that the system is not dependent on a single individual.
Well, these are important responsibilities of the Assembly of Experts. Thus, the significance of the Assembly of Experts' position becomes clear from what I have stated. Naturally this importance places a great responsibility on the Assembly of Experts, which is to exercise the utmost care and attention in its selection process. The utmost care and attention must be exercised.
The Constitution outlines specific qualifications for the position of the Leader and one of the most important is a strong, sincere belief in the path and goals of the Revolution. This belief must exist. A readiness to continuously, tirelessly move forward on this path must be present in someone in order for them to be worthy of this responsibility. These qualities must be identified in individuals and a selection made. This was the point I wanted to make regarding the Assembly of Experts.
These days coincide with the fortieth day after the martyrdom of the great, tireless mujahid of our time, the late Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah — may God be pleased with him, elevate his status, and increase his reward. We remember and honor him and also Martyr Ismail Haniyeh, Martyr Safieddine, Martyr Yahya Sinwar, Martyr Nilforoushan, and all the other martyrs of the Resistance. I wanted to say this at the beginning of my talk, but I will say it now. We also honor the memory of the martyrs of this Assembly — Martyr Raisi (may God be pleased with him) and Martyr Ale-Hashem (may God be pleased with him). We ask God to grant the highest spiritual ranks to all of these noble martyrs.
These distinguished men whom I mentioned, the late Mr. Nasrallah and the other dear martyrs of these past days, have truly and genuinely brought honor to Islam. They have also brought honor to the Resistance Front and increased its power and ability.
Each of these martyrs whom I mentioned has done it in a way and to an extent. Our dear Sayyid has now ascended to join the exalted ranks of the martyrs, achieving the very thing he desired. However, he has also left behind a lasting legacy, which is Hezbollah. Hezbollah grew thanks to Sayyid’s courage, wisdom, patience, and his extraordinary trust in God. It grew remarkably and truly turned into an organization that the enemy — the well-equipped enemy with all kinds of material, verbal, propaganda, and media weaponry — couldn’t and won’t be able to overcome, God willing. The late Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah transformed Hezbollah into such an entity and phenomenon.
Now, of course, America’s clear, overt involvement is obvious. The truth is that the US government has blood on its hands. The US is clearly the accomplice [of the Zionists] in the crimes being committed in Gaza and Lebanon and everyone knows this today. Previously, it used to be mentioned in the form of an analysis, but now everyone is seeing this for themselves. This is also true about a number of European countries.
What I want to emphasize is that these acts of jihad, which praise God are continuing with strength and power in Lebanon, Gaza, and Palestine today, will definitely lead to the victory of truth, the victory of the front of truth, and the victory of the Resistance Front. This is what we hope for and, based on what we know from overall events and also from what God has promised, we believe this outcome is certain. First of all, [we know this is certain] because of God’s promise.
A perfect example of this noble verse are the events that are taking place these days, "Those who are fought against are permitted [to fight] because they have been wronged, and Allah is indeed able to help them — those who were expelled from their homes unjustly, only because they said, ‘Allah is our Lord.’ Had not Allah repelled some people by means of others, ruin would have befallen the monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which Allah’s Name is remembered much" (Quran 22:39-40). They bomb churches, they bomb hospitals, and they bomb mosques. It’s truly an exact example [of this verse]. This "repelling some people by means of others" exists. What’s the outcome of this?
The outcome is stated in the continuation of the same verse, "Allah will surely help those who help Him. Indeed Allah is Strong and Mighty" (Quran 22:40). And there is an emphasis in this [verse]. This "repelling some people by means of others" means repelling the oppressor by the oppressed and also repelling the aggressor and invader by way of the jihad of those who fight on the path of God. The result of this is: "And Allah will surely help those who help Him." This is a divine promise. It is a statement from God, and there is no room for doubt about this. It is not permissible to doubt God's promise. This is a promise that Almighty God has made, and this is the way things have happened until now.
On the one hand, this is based on the verses of the Quran and divine promises. On the other hand, it is based on our own experience. Hezbollah, over the course of many years — nearly 40 years — has forced the Zionist regime to retreat from Beirut one time, from Sidon one time, and from the city of Tyre one time. And one time it rid all of southern Lebanon including its cities, villages, and the heights of Lebanon of the Zionist regime's sinister presence. In other words, Hezbollah's capabilities have been gradually, continually increasing over time.
They [Hezbollah] have changed from being a small group of mujahideen fighting on the path of God into a massive organization with immense power and capabilities. Many times it has been able to force back and defeat the enemy, which is armed with military weapons, weapons of propaganda, political weapons, and economic weapons. The enemy is being supported by the world's most wicked, corrupt leaders, such as the presidents of the US and others like them. This is our experience and we have witnessed this. The same experience has taken place for the Palestinian Resistance. They have had nine conflicts with the Zionist regime since 2009, and they have prevailed all of these nine times.
Today, the Palestinian Resistance has prevailed over the Zionist regime. This is contrary to what it appears to some shallow-thinking people on the outside. This is because their [the Zionist regime’s] goal was to uproot Hamas, but it hasn’t been able to do this. They [Zionists] have massacred all these people, shown their hideous face to the entire world, proven their evilness to everyone, and have condemned and isolated themselves. They think they have martyred the leaders of the Resistance and the leaders of Hamas and imagines that Hamas is finished. On the contrary, Hamas is still fighting. Hamas is still engaged in battle. This means that the Zionist regime has been defeated.
Hezbollah is the same. Hezbollah is also strong. Now, some people both inside Lebanon and elsewhere believe that Hezbollah has been weakened, and they have begun to criticize Hezbollah's actions. They are mistaken and delusional. Hezbollah is strong, and it continues to fight. Yes, eminent, important figures like Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, Sayyid Hashem Safieddine, and others like them are no longer among them. But praise God, the organization is still there with its people, spiritual strength, and good morale. The enemy hasn’t been able to and God willing won’t be able to overcome this organization. The world and the region will see the day when the Zionist regime will be clearly defeated by these mujahideen who are fighting on the path of God, God willing. We are hopeful that all of you honorable gentlemen here will see that day, God willing.
May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you
