In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful,
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; peace and greetings upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa Muhammad, upon his pure and immaculate household, upon his chosen companions, and upon those who follow them until the Day of Judgment.
You are very welcome, here, dear brothers, dear sisters, servants of Hajj-related obligations, and successful and honorable hajj pilgrims. This service of yours is a great honor. Preparing the ground and helping to organize the great ritual of Hajj – whose dimensions are far greater than our descriptions – or the very essence of organizing this ritual is a great deed and an extremely valuable service. I advise everyone who is busy rendering services among different areas – including Hajj delegations, Hajj Organizations, or in Hajj caravans and in various other organizational fields – to appreciate the value of this blessing and thank God for the opportunity that has been given to them: they should try to carry out their task in the best way possible.
The reports that Mr. Qazi Askar and the honorable head of the Hajj Organization delivered were excellent. Even if some of the tasks that they mentioned remain unfinished, or in the middle of the path, the reports and tasks mentioned, in general, are noteworthy. However, what I want to say is that all tasks that were mentioned are insufficient compared to what is necessary for organizing an Abrahamic, Nabawi, and Quranic Hajj. There is a lot of room for improvement in this regard.
I want to say, today, there is that, as well as all the other characteristics that exist in Hajj – this great obligation. Hajj also enjoys the characteristic of combining spirituality and politics, spirituality and material attributes, and this world and the hereafter: “And there are men who say: ‘Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the fire." [The Holy Quran, 2: 201]
Those who say this prayer during Hajj and ask Allah the Exalted for worldly and otherworldly rewards are cherished in the Quran. This means that this world and the hereafter have been combined during the Hajj pilgrimage. Hajj is the manifestation of this great occurrence. Some people have worked hard over the course of many years – in the present time, too, they are working hard – to separate Islamic spirituality from life and from the management of society: this means the separation of religion from politics. The enemies of Islam and those ignorant individuals, who know nothing about Islam, have been working for many years – perhaps, it can be said, for tens and hundreds of years or even more – on this matter.
When the Islamic Republic came into being and when the Islamic revolution achieved victory, all these ideas proved to be wrong. It became clear that Islam could perfectly handle the arena of politics, life, the management of the country, and the people’s involvement in the arena with all their capabilities and capacities. Islam was more successful than the Communists, the Liberals, and the Westerners in the area of carrying on viewpoints. So, the effort that some would make, for a long time, was counteracted, but they have begun to make such efforts again. Some people have begun to dissuade the newer generations from combining religion and politics, religion and life, religion and science, this world and the hereafter, and spirituality and material achievements. They want to dissuade minds from this union. Hajj is a practical arena for showing this alliance.
How is this done? During the Hajj rituals: you supplicate, you say prayers, you rely on God, you shed tears, you perform tawaf, you make religious endeavors, you say daily prayers and you have public gatherings; this is all very important. Well, they should think: in inviting people to perform Hajj, if Allah the Exalted only wanted the people to gather and spend a few days doing spiritual acts, there would not be a need to set a specific date. Anyone could go at any time that he or she wished. So, this is not the case: there is a specific date for Hajj.
At this specific moment, everyone, from throughout the Islamic world, should attend the ceremony of Hajj. --This is not only for one or two years either, this has been a tradition throughout history. On certain days, every Muslim, who has the capability to do so, should gather in this specified place. What does this indicate? This means that the very essence of this gathering is what Allah the Exalted desires: this is what He wants. --It exhibits the establishment of the Islamic Ummah: this is the same outlook towards the gathering of Muslims: The Hajj pilgrimage is the embodiment of this.
Then, when you go there, “Pass on at a quick pace from the place whence it is usual for the multitude so to do.” [The Holy Quran, 2: 199] The message is for all people: “Equal is the dweller there and the visitor from the country.” [The Holy Quran, 22: 25] There is no difference between the inhabitants of Makkah and those who live elsewhere: this place belongs to everyone. And the land belongs to all Muslims. Some people must not feel as if the holy land belongs to only them or that they have the right to behave in whatever manner they want. The truth is that all Muslims have the same rights towards the Holy Ka’bah and Masjid al-Haram, the holy place and the holy environment of the Two Holy Mosques. This Quranic verse only mentions Makkah, but the same is true of Medina: Medina belongs to all Muslims as well. --This is because the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is for everyone.
Notice that the Muslims’ gathering of solidarity and coordination is one of the important goals of Hajj: this should receive our attention. In all the plans that the honorable pilgrims and the managers in charge draw up, this issue should receive the most attention: Hajj is a symbol of connection, bonding, agreement, and harmony [among Muslims]. Of course, the government which rules the place does not want unity: thus, they create obstacles in whichever way they can.
Today, there are several means of communication. Communication methods should be established: the Islamic Ummah should come together. Those who separate politics from Islam, and who reject this, do not have a correct understanding of Islam and Quranic ayahs (verses). Quranic ayahs – including the ones about Hajj, about jihad, about people’s relationship in a society, and about the authority of the Islamic ruler in society – are all policies which originate from Islam. Islamic democracy, which we have brought up, originates from the core of Islam and from the text of the Quran as well: “Who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation.” [The Holy Quran, 42: 38]: this is the main point regarding the Hajj pilgrimage.
One key point is that no one should create obstacles in the way of Hajj concepts or teachings: “As to those who have rejected Allah and would keep back men from the way of Allah, and from the Sacred Mosque.” [The Holy Quran, 22: 25] There are some people who “keep back men from the way of Allah” and “from the Sacred Mosque." Keeping people back does not only mean preventing an individual from going to Makkah, they might let you participate, but they might prevent you from benefiting from the concepts of Hajj: this is what is meant by "keeping back men from the way of Allah" as well. This is keeping back men from the Sacred Mosque as well. Those who make this move – the government and administration which commits this grave mistake – is keeping back men from the way of Allah. The concepts of Hajj should be understood and acted upon.
The conclusion is that Ka’bah belongs to everyone. We believe that after the victory of the Revolution, the people of Iran understood and discovered a new meaning of Hajj, thanks to the guidance of our magnanimous Imam. Since the first year that the Revolution achieved victory and some people went on the Hajj pilgrimage and our magnanimous Imam delivered a message, new concepts about Hajj were introduced to the people and they followed those concepts. It was a kind of Hajj which was accompanied by “baraa’t” [expressing one’s rejection of the enemies of Islam] and solidarity among Muslims. That kind of Hajj was a manifestation of “Those who are with him are strong against unbelievers but compassionate amongst each other.” [The Holy Quran, 48: 29] Hajj should be an embodiment of “Strong against unbelievers, but compassionate amongst each other.”
The opposite point involves creating discord and causing separation among brothers but tying one’s tail to that of global arrogance and the US. The opposite of this is what Hajj demands from people, what it wants for them and what the Holy Legislator has ordered -- He has ordered the people to do good. Hajj should be performed with this good spirit and by this condition.
Of course, the Saudi administration is, unfortunately, creating some obstacles. It is preventing some obligations which need to be carried out. Well, these points should always be considered as the demands of believers and Muslims. They might create some obstacles. If such obstacles are created, they will naturally be problematic, but those demands, and requests should never be forgotten in any way. The gentlemen in the meeting pointed to the disaster related to Masjid al-Haram and Mina which occurred in the year 1394 (2015): that event cannot be forgotten either: it should be investigated and followed up. A truth-seeking committee and delegation should be formed with the presence of the main plaintiff – the Islamic Republic. We should refer to international organizations. We should receive help from wherever possible so that our rights will be asserted. A grave act of oppression was committed.
Pilgrims have the very important right of demanding those who rule the region ensure their safety: this is their ultimate demand. Safety is one of the characteristics that Allah the Exalted has assigned for His house and for the city of Makkah and the holy places there: “We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety.” [The Holy Quran, 2: 125] Everyone should gather there, while he or she is safe. People’s safety is one of the most fundamental tasks.
--This safety was not ensured then: this requires pursuance and follow up. You should not become tired of following up on tragic events. You should pursue and demand. The honorable officials – including the officials of Hajj delegations and in organizations in charge of such affairs, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the judiciary branch and others – should pursue this matter.
According to the report that I have received, the families of some martyrs, who have been buried there [in Mina], are not even allowed to visit the graves of their dear ones, their own martyrs! Things cannot continue like this. We should focus on such matters. The diyah [monetary compensation] for a victim of murder is also a lingering issue.
Dear brothers, dear sisters, today the world of Islam needs to speak with one voice. Every discord-generating voice will be condemned by the Holy Legislator. Discord is forbidden, from every side, and in every way and form. Why? Because the enemy has focused on the world of Islam. Notice what is happening in the world of Islam. On the one hand, severe pressures are exerted on Yemen: it is several years now that they have been attacking an oppressed people, nonstop. Of course, they are brave and strong people, and they are resisting, but they are enduring hardships.
On the other hand, there is the issue of Palestine and the satanic and malicious policy that the US has adopted regarding Palestine. They have referred to it as “the deal of the century." Of course, they should know that by Allah’s favor, this “deal of the century,” which they [USA and allies] have come up with, will never materialize. Despite the foolish desires of American officials who are killing themselves to do something on the issue of Palestine, the issue of Palestine will not be consigned to oblivion, and the Holy City of Bait-ul Muqaddas will continue to be the capital of Palestine: it will remain the first qiblah for Muslims.
The delusions that they have – they think that they can usurp Bayt-ul Muqaddas, and they say that the top, the bottom, and the depth of the city, all its areas ranging from the east to the west, should be in the hands of the Jews – are a load of nonsense. Their desires will not happen, and the Palestinian nation will stand up against the enemies' goals, and all Muslim nations will stand behind the Palestinian nation. By Allah’s favor, they will not let the enemies' desires materialize.
Of course, because of lack of belief in the essence of Islam – let alone on the issue of Palestine – some Islamic governments are, unfortunately, sacrificing themselves for the Americans. Not only are they following them, but they are also sacrificing themselves for them because of folly, stupidity, and worldly temptations and desires. Some governments, unfortunately, some Arab government are in this situation. --This will not work out for them either, and it will not be of any avail: they will be frustrated as well. By Allah’s favor and grace, the Islamic Ummah and the Muslim people of Palestine will defeat their enemies, and they will see a day when the fake Zionist regime will be uprooted from the land of Palestine.
I hope that by Allah’s favor, your Hajj pilgrimage will be approved by God. I hope that our dear Hajj pilgrims will go there with safety and return with their hands full, God willing, and we should be thankful to God.
Greetings upon you and Allah’s mercy.
