Leader: Instill awe in the hearts of enemies (2)

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on Sunday October 13, after reviewing a march past at Tehran’s Imam Husain (AS) University, addressed commanders and cadets assembled for the graduation ceremony, saying their readiness ought to instill awe in the hearts of the enemies.

Following is the second and concluding part of excerpts from the Leader’s speech.

The Leader said: “Today, the world of Islam is witness to one of the manifestations of (the Qur’anic term) “quwwah” or power, which is the annual Arba’een march – of millions to Karbala on the 40^th day of the anniversary of the Ashura Tragedy. This is also a manifestation of ayah 60 of Surah Anfaal: “Prepare against them whatever you can of power (quwwah) and war-steeds, awing thereby the enemy of Allah, and your enemy,

“The Arba’een march is the strength of Islam. It is the force of the truth. It is manifestation of the camp of Islamic Resistance that millions of people march towards Karbala and towards Imam Husain (AS) – the peak of honour, self-sacrifice and martyrdom from whom all liberated people in the world should learn. The first day when the Arba’een march came into being, it was as significant as today.

“The significance of the first Arba’een lay in that it was the powerful medium of Ashura. From Ashura to Arba’een – according to a narration, Arba’een was the day when the Ahl al-Bayt returned to Karbala – from captivity in Damascus and those forty days were forty days of the authority of the truth amidst the dark world of the Omayyad and Sufiyani regime. The true medium is the cry of Hazrat Zaynab al-Kubra (peace upon her) and the cry of Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS). In which place? In Kufa, in Damascus where darkness existed in its fullness. These were the greatest media.

“It was these media that preserved Ashura. It was these media that helped Ashura reach the present time. This is the history and the origin of Arba’een and the Arba’een movement. On that day, the Ahl al-Bayt raised a storm with their 40-day movement. A storm was raised amidst that extraordinary suppression that had reduced the loyal followers of Imam Husain (AS) to not more than 72 individuals.

“In such an era, the event of the uprising of the Tawwabeen (or penitents) occurred in Kufa. Medina and Damascus were moved deeply in a way that the Sufiyani regime was overthrown. Such was the great movement of Hazrat Zaynab al-Kubra (peace upon her).

Ayatollah Khamenei further said: “Today, the same thing is happening in the world. Today too, in the complex propaganda-saturated and tumultuous world which has dominated humanity, this movement of Arba’een is a loud cry and a unique medium. There is no similar event in the world: millions of people take a walk, not only from a city or a country, rather from different countries, and not only from one specific denomination, rather from various denominations and even from non-Islamic religions. This is Husaini unity.

“What you said is true: “Husain makes us united.” This is really the case. Imam Husain (AS) brings about great unanimity. These hearts are moving forward with thousands of steps. Everyone is moving towards that mine and springhead of spirituality and freedom and they are showing it off to today’s materialistic world. By Allah’s favour, this should be further developed and expanded on a daily basis. And of course, it should gather more depth as well.

Fortunately, the phenomena that we have today, our mourning sessions for Imam Husain (AS) enjoy more depth than say 40, 50 years ago in terms of spirituality, development of thinking and promotion of Islamic teachings. The same is true of the issue of Arba’een. By Allah’s favour, it will gather more depth on a daily basis. Broad-minded personalities and scholars should think, work and endeavor in these areas, God willing.

“The third issue is about the orientation and the direction of the Islamic Republic. Since the beginning of the Revolution, we have begun a movement in the area of ideals, the people’s living conditions, building the country and grooming people. Great movements have begun and magnificent achievements made. Of course, shortcomings are many. Problems are not few in number, but achievements and advancements are more than the problems. The movement that has begun today is an astonishing movement to those who can understand its dimensions. Now, it should become clear in which direction we should move to continue the task.

“What is the direction? After all, we are Husaini. Imam Husain (AS) himself has determined what the direction is. In the middle of his path, he stopped somewhere and delivered this sermon: “O people, the Messenger of Allah (blessings of God upon him and his progeny), said, ‘Whoever witnesses an unjust ruler permitting the things prohibited by Allah, breaking the covenant with Allah, violating the Sunnah of the Prophet, treating people sinfully and cruelly, and despite seeing all such misdeeds did not oppose him through words or actions, Allah surely will punish him as He wills.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described this statement of Imam Husain (AS) as “a great statement”, adding: “It is astonishing. First of all, it has been addressed to people and we are among people. So, it addresses us as well. It is not only addressed to believers. It is not only addressed to the gathering present there, rather it is addressed to humanity: not just humanity at that time, rather humanity at all times including today’s humanity.

“He was quoting his grandfather the Prophet of Islamic to state what his philosophy was. He said that he was acting as per the Prophet’s words. The Prophet had ordered him to do that. What had the Prophet said to him? “Whoever witnesses an oppressive ruler…” The Prophet’s words “oppressive ruler” also means power. Today, the (evil) power is the front of kufr and arrogance. It is the front of Zionism and the US. You are witness to today’s oppression which is widespread everywhere: warmongering, the pressure of colonialism, sucking the blood of nations, pressuring peoples, waging domestic wars and other disasters which arrogance is causing today.

“Here the Prophet refers to oppression of the creatures of God, not just believers. It means towards the masses of the people. And it can be every power, every front and every oppressive center which does these things: “behaves in an oppressive manner towards the creatures of God. So, what is the result? What is our duty? And if they do not oppose him in words and in action, the hadith is addressing those who see such a tyrannical power but do not adopt a position against it, they will also be punished by God, since they have allowed oppression to continue.

“This is the reason why we will not compromise with the US. The reason why we have not failed in the face of the enemy’s propaganda effort, by Allah’s favor, is this. The reason is that we have a duty. If we do not carry it out, we “deserve to be placed at the level of that oppressive power”. If we compromise, Allah the Exalted will make us suffer the same fate – the same punishment – that befalls the oppressor. This is our duty. This is the Islamic Republic. This is the reason why Imam Khomeini confronted the US from the first day when he got involved in the revolutionary activities. He was still speaking in Qom and he had not been exiled yet, but he spoke out against the US.

On that day, Imam (may God bestow paradise on him) said in his Qom speech, “Today, the most hated person in our country is the US President”. That speech was made 50 years ago! This is the reason why. Imam was insightful. His eyes were open. He would see the truth and he would understand it. He was hopeful. He believed in what Allah the Exalted had said, “Allah certainly aids those who aid His cause” [The Holy Qur’an, 22: 40]. He who aids God will certainly receive God’s aid and this is what He has already done.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “And I will tell you dear youth that you should continue this path in a powerful way. This is the case not only for you, but also for all the youth of the Iranian nation. If pure and uncontaminated hearts, who wish to carry out their divine and human responsibility, stand up against the enemies of religion and humanity on the path of steadfastness and resistance, Allah the Exalted will certainly support them: “God will certainly aid those who aid His cause”. As we have succeeded in the past 40 years by Allah’s favour, we will – by Allah’s favor - overcome all obstacles in the future, in the second phase and in future phases and we will defeat the enemies.

“Hopes are pinned on the youth. This does not mean that those who are not young do not have any duty. They do have duties as well. The elderly have duties as well. You witnessed that our magnanimous Imam would move, speak and think like the youth while he was at an advanced age. However, the engine of every society is comprised of youth. Youth should prepare themselves. They should prepare their minds. They should identify the enemy’s tricks.

“The enemy’s first target is your thoughts, your minds and what dominates your minds. This is the enemy’s first target. He tries to change your mentality with all sorts of subterfuge. When your mentality changes, your actions will naturally change as well. You should not allow him to change your minds. You should not allow him to change your motivation. You should not allow him to destroy your inner faith and your lofty motivation with his tricks.

“You should stand firm and rely on God because Allah the Exalted is with you, God willing: “Know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves” [The Holy Qur’an, 2: 194]. Allah is with the pious. He is with those who move on His path and He will help the mujahids, Insha Allah.

AS/ME