The book “Ghina and Music: The Jurisprudential Studies of Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei”, published by the Office for the Preservation and Publication of Imam Khamenei’s Works in cooperation with the Islamic seminaries, was unveiled on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, in Beirut’s southern suburb. The ceremony featured a speech by Sheikh Naim Qassem, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, who described the book as a reflection of Imam Khamenei’s profound and innovative jurisprudential thought. He highlighted the Leader’s extensive effort in examining 300 narrations across 76 advanced jurisprudence sessions. Sheikh Qassem emphasized that the Wali al-Faqih (the Guardian Jurist) embodies the authentic continuity of Islam, and that Hezbollah’s bond with him is rooted in faith and doctrine. The event was attended by numerous scholars and religious and cultural figures and the translator of the book, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Abu Zayd, received a special gift from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
In his speech, Sheikh Qassem described the work as both “important and exceptional,” revealing dimensions of Imam Khamenei’s scholarly personality, saying, “Despite his vast responsibilities in leading a nation and guiding the Islamic Ummah, the Leader insisted on conducting these lessons, 76 detailed jurisprudential sessions involving the analysis of 300 narrations, verification of sources and authenticity, and comparison with earlier jurists’ opinions, a process requiring deep and demanding research.”
Sheikh Qassem noted that Imam Khamenei’s focus on the topic of Ghina (singing) and music reflects his innovative approach to Islamic jurisprudence. He stated that the Imam recognized the necessity of defining clear legal boundaries in this area, as art profoundly affects society. “We are faced with a jurist who presents Islamic jurisprudence in a creative and contemporary manner,” he said, adding that Imam Khamenei possesses a unique ability to derive modern insights from the Islamic corpus. Sheikh Qassem further declared:
“Imam Khamenei stands upon the path of Prophet Muhammad and ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). Today, he carries the burden of all vital Islamic arenas, and we benefit from this pure source.” He continued: “When we say that Imam Khamenei is our Leader and exemplar, we pledge allegiance on the basis of this very Islamic understanding. Every person has the right to choose his own path freely. This has nothing to do with patriotism, since patriotism is a social contract among citizens, not uniformity of thought.”
He added: “In Hezbollah, we strive to draw from Imam Khamenei’s guidance in all aspects of our lives, guidance that lightens our responsibility before God. Our connection with the Wali al-Faqih arises from Islam, faith, intellect, and spirit, from the legitimate right of every believer to choose his path.” He noted that after Imam Khomeini (may God be pleased with him), Imam Khamenei has played a major role in strengthening the spirit of resistance against the Zionist occupation and in reclaiming dignity and land in the region.
Responding to criticism of Hezbollah receiving support from Iran, Sheikh Qassem said:
“We are proud of this Iranian support. Without it, the South would not have been liberated, the armed Intifada would not have emerged, nor would such sacrifice against the Zionist challenge have been possible. It was through this support that the truth, that Zionist regime is a malignant cancer and a grave threat to humanity, became known worldwide.”
He added, “Iran helped us and never demanded anything in return. Our relationship with Iran is not a source of shame, rather it is an honor.”
Sheikh Qassem also remarked that the spectacle staged by US President Donald Trump in Sharm el-Sheikh was not a peace project, asserting: “We are living through one of the most painful yet hopeful stages of confrontation, because the Zionist regime has not and will not achieve its objectives.” He described recent “regional initiatives” as mere political theater: “The US seeks, through politics, to accomplish what Israel failed to achieve through war.” Despite global complicity among arrogant powers, he said, Israel remains an aggressive, genocidal entity that will never prevail.
“When Netanyahu speaks of a ‘Greater Israel,’ it is in service of a ‘Greater America,’” Sheikh Qassem continued. “We see Trump’s destructive actions across the world. To the U.S. administration and its allies, I say: Enough threats against Lebanon, stop trying to weaken and annex it into Greater Israel.” He stressed that Lebanon’s stability can only be achieved once Israeli interference ends: “Lebanon must remain a free, proud, independent, and strong nation.”
Addressing calls to disarm Hezbollah, he said: “Those who believe the issue will end by removing Hezbollah’s weapons are mistaken; these arms are part of Lebanon’s strength. The threats do not affect us.”
Later in the ceremony, Hujjat al-Islam Seyyid Ali Hejazi, director of the Imam Ali Seminary in Beirut, spoke briefly about Imam Khamenei’s vision for the seminary system. He emphasized that modern scientific and social developments necessitate renewed mechanisms of ijtihad (independent jurisprudential reasoning) and innovation in seminary education, while preserving traditional scholarly rigor. Imam Khamenei, he noted, has called for educational renewal that meets contemporary needs without compromising the enduring value of classical methods.
Seyyid Komeil Baqer, representative of the Office for the Preservation and Publication of Imam Khamenei’s Works, said that amid today’s civilizational confrontation, seminaries bear a historic responsibility to present the principles of a new Islamic civilization to a world weary of the West’s violent experience. From Imam Khamenei’s viewpoint, Baqer said, the arts are among the most influential factors in civilizational development due to their power of attraction and impact on collective consciousness. Thus, it is incumbent upon the jurist of the Islamic Revolution to study them with precision, therefore, Imam Khamenei has this serious engagement with the topic of Ghina and music in his jurisprudential lessons.
During the event, the book’s translator, researcher Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Abu Zayd al-‘Amili, received a commemorative plaque from the Office for the Preservation and Publication of Imam Khamenei’s Works and a special gift from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution: His personal ring and keffiyeh.
The book “Ghina and Music” compiles Imam Khamenei’s advanced jurisprudence lectures delivered between 2008 and 2010 on the subject of singing and music. In these sessions, he analyzed the opinions of leading jurists, examined related Quranic verses and narrations, and addressed 48 jurisprudential questions submitted by cultural and media institutions. These discussions are considered among the most extensive scholarly treatments of Ghina and music ever presented in Islamic seminaries.