Sacred Defense Week (Martyrs and disabled war veterans of the Sacred Defense)

During the eight-year Sacred Defense, the revolutionary youths, upon reliance on their faith in God and spirituality, displayed the most beautiful scenes of selflessness.

They became the best allies of the Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran, late Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace), in remembrance of the 3^rd Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household, Imam Hossein (AS), and his steadfast companions.

Throughout the history of nations, there are days in which the threats and dangers are not dispelled, and major, holy goals are not safeguarded in the absence of selflessness and devotion. At this point, a group of faithful and selfless individuals should enter the scene and defend righteousness until their last breath. The sacred religion of Islam refers to this elevated status of selflessness as martyrdom. Within the eight-year Sacred Defense, Islamic Iran witnessed the wide-scale presence of faithful and revolutionary youths in warfronts against falsehood.

Martyrdom is the most elevated status of selflessness, which is hugely rewarded in divine court. The faithful individuals long for martyrdom. Within the 169^th ayah to 171^st ayah of Surat al-I'Imran in Holy Quran, God Almighty has reminded the elevated status of martyrs, noting: "Do not suppose those who were slain in the way of Allah to be dead; rather they are living and provided for near their Lord, exulting in what Allah has given them out of His grace, and rejoicing for those who have not yet joined them from those left behind them that they will have no fear, nor will they grieve. They rejoice in Allah's blessing and grace, and that Allah does not waste the reward of the faithful."

The people of Iran have always been grateful for the courageousness and devotion of martyrs, and disabled war veterans, and their families. The word martyr refers to someone who has selflessly sacrificed his life for the sake of a sacred goal.

Martyrs guide people toward God, and establish chastity in human communities. Martyrs also awaken people. Throughout the imposed war, thousands of people courted martyrdom or were disabled. Studying the biographies and wills of these martyrs shows their immense spirituality and faith in God.

Aziz Dasht Bozorg, who courted martyrdom in the year 1986 throughout "Karbala-4" operations, has pointed out in his will that the time has come for us humans to learn lessons from the fate of previous generations, and to establish faith in God. So, read about the fate and destiny of previous generations and learn lessons from them. Also, let go of wrongdoings, and carry out virtuous deeds, be honest and truthful in order to achieve eternal prosperity. Remember that you have to leave your belongings and wealth behind. So why don't you donate them? Your bodies will ultimately leave. So why shouldn't you use your bodies for promotion of justice, and righteousness? The fact is that death for the sake of God is highly valuable and precious.

Many of those who selflessly cover the path of God do not attain the elevated status of martyrdom, and some of them are wounded or disabled in their divine Jihad. They face numerous difficulties due to their injuries for the remainder of their lives. Meanwhile, chemically wounded war veterans grapple with more hardships. The Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, meets the disabled veterans of the imposed war every year in an emotional gathering. The disabled war veterans are still ready to combat for defending and safeguarding the sacred religion of Islam. They never fear death, while always longing for attainment of martyrdom. The disabled veterans of the imposed war endure hardships, and are epitomes of piety, teaching us resistance and steadfastness against bullying powers and their stooges.  
MR/ME