Imam Khamenei

A society that wishes to be honored in the world must pay serious attention to exercise

In his speeches on exercise in recent years, Imam Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, has said that exercise is the solution to many problems in society and a society’s problems in morals. They can help the further development of a nation. Khamenei.ir is publishing excerpts from the statements he has made in this regard.

Professional sports are in fact the engine that moves everyone to exercise

Champions play a significant role in two important levels: individual and social. On the individual level, the youth who win competitions show and prove that they have outstanding qualities. For example, they show that they have firm determination. If an athlete does not have firm determination, he will not be a champion. If he does not have determination, he will not even play sport.

On a social level, a champion raises national self-confidence because he is the manifestation of the capabilities of a nation in a certain arena. That is to say, he raises the self-confidence of all people in a country. This is a very important thing. On the other hand, a champion encourages all people in a society to move towards this path. Professional sports are the engine for regular exercise. With professional sports, we can do something to make regular exercise common. Regular exercise is one of the necessities of life. It is like eating and breathing. We should pay attention to it. This is another role of sports on a social level.

We need all the people in our country to do sports activities. The country is really in such a need. The existence of a healthy manpower is of prime importance to the country because a country makes progress with its manpower. Natural resources, mines and natural wealth are good things, but if there is no manpower, if there is no human capacities in a country, it will face the same situation that a number of countries which have these natural resources do. In such conditions, other countries go and make use of their natural resources and they make these countries get used to laziness. Manpower should develop so that natural resources can be beneficial to the society. [Mar 11, 2013]

 

Exercise ​is an investment for the young

Exercise is an investment for young people. I believe that in general exercise is everyone’s duty. Of course, I do not mean professional sports. Although I do not reject professional sports, I do not recommend that all young people pursue sport professionally. No, (I mean) exercise for maintaining health and vitality. This is an investment that will remain with you for the rest of your life or almost to the end of your life. Laziness and idleness waste this great capital. [Feb. 26, 2001]

 

A society that wishes to be honored in the world must pay serious attention to exercise

A country that wishes to run well and achieve its goals, and a society that wishes to remain honored in the world, gain true independence and be successful in political, economic and military fields, needs healthy, cheerful people with will power and an ability to make decisions. All of these are achieved through serious attention to exercise. [Dec. 28, 1996]

 

Exercise solves many problems in society and in morals

Regular exercise is one of the necessities of life. It is like eating and breathing. We should pay attention to it. The existence of a healthy manpower is of prime importance to the country because a country makes progress with its manpower. Natural resources, mines and natural wealth are good things, but if there is no manpower, if there is no human capacities in a country, it will face the same situation that a number of countries which have these natural resources do. In such conditions, other countries go and make use of their natural resources and they make these countries get used to laziness. Manpower should develop so that natural resources can be beneficial to the society. So, manpower is the most important factor. There should be knowledgeable, determined, religious and healthy manpower. Physical health is the main condition for the existence of such manpower. If people turn to sports activities, many social and behavioral problems - such as addiction, family rows, financial and psychological problems and other such problems - will be solved. [Mar 11, 2013]

 

Why has God created human beings in a muscular form?

I believe that in essence exercise is not a profession. Exercise is a part of life like eating. Anyone who eats should exercise as well. In fact, God the Almighty has created the body in such a way that if you do not exercise, it is as if you have not slept or have not eaten. That is, you have not satisfied one of the body’s needs. If God the Almighty wanted this body to be immobile, He would not have created it in a muscular form. He would not have created it with joints. These joints have been created to allow for movement. A person who does not walk, does not bend, does not move, and does not use his body in hard exercise has wasted his body. Therefore, exercise is a part of life. This is my general outlook on sports. I mean, my main, overall outlook on sports is that everyone should exercise, whether they are big or small, men or women, old or young. Therefore, the main point is that everyone should exercise and no one should allow himself to quit exercising. It is like allowing oneself not to eat, not allowing vitamins to reach one’s body, or not sleeping. These are of the same necessity.
[July 20, 1993]