Imam Mojtaba Khamenei’s Message on Eid al-Ghadir and Imam Khomeini (R)’s Passing
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, He who perfected His religion and completed His favor through the Wilayah (guardianship) of the Commander of the Faithful, [Imam] Ali ibn Abi Talib (A).
I congratulate all the Muslims and to the lovers of the father of Islam’s Ummah, the Commander of the Faithful [Imam] Ali – may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him – in Iran and throughout the world, on the blessed Eid of Ghadir. I also send greetings and salutations to the pure soul of Imam Khomeini (R), may Allah’s mercy be upon him.
This year marks the thirty-seventh 14th of Khordad (June 4th) since the passing of Khomeini the Great.
And it is the first 14th of Khordad (June 4th) in which the compassionate father of the Ummah, the loyal and distinguished disciple and supporter of the Imam Khomeini (R)’s Maktab (school of thought) – the great noble martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution, his eminence Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Ali Khamenei, may Allah elevate his noble rank – has become a guest of the divine banquet; and the echo of his resolute voice and his wise penetrating words are no longer heard at the sacred shrine of Imam Khomeini (R).
Yet the body of statements and writings of the founder of the Islamic Republic (Imam Khomeini) over a span of ten years, and of that great noble martyred leader (Shaheed Khamenei) over a span of thirty-six years, is a precious and unparalleled treasure for all of us and a guiding light for the path into the future.
Firstly, today is the Eid of Ghadir, the greatest of Allah’s Eids. It is the day of the pledged covenant and the taken oath, on which Allah determined the Takleef (duty) of the leadership of society and delineated the Islamic system, and completed the religion and perfected His favor through the continuous Wilayah (guardianship) and Imamate of their eminences, the Ma’sumeen (Infallibles), peace be upon them all.
Ghadir reminds us of one who, at every moment of his noble life – from the beginning of his birth in the Kaaba until attaining the victory of martyrdom – was for Allah and on the path of Allah.
On this basis, that noble figure [Imam Ali (A)] – after the blessed existence of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family – in all the stages of his life, and for all the Muslims and Mo’mineen (high ranking believers), is considered the highest exemplar and a comprehensive role model.
And it is fitting and necessary that – from young children to the elderly, and from ordinary members of society to elites and leaders – all should imitate that noble figure as their example; just as the source of pride in the lives of the two Leaders of the [Islamic] Revolution has likewise been their emulation of that great personality (i.e. Imam Ali).
Secondly, today is the anniversary of the passing of the Imam of the Ummah (Imam Khomeini), may Allah have mercy on him, and [thus,] presents a valuable opportunity for reflection and discussion about this renowned, yet insufficiently understood personality.
A charismatic figure whose deep understanding and recognition of his luminous path and goal is a guiding light for the future path of Islamic Iran.
Yet many among the nation who are in the age of their youth, did not have the Towfeeq (grace) to directly know Imam Khomeini (R), and even many of those who lived during Imam Khomeini (R)’s lifetime have not fully grasped the depth of his personality nor of his path.
Allah the Exalted says: “Say: I exhort you to only one thing – that you rise up for Allah, in pairs or individually.” [Quran 34:46]
In this noble verse, Allah the Glorified the Exalted, addresses the Great Messenger, peace be upon him and his family, to tell the Ummah: I advise you to just one matter – that you rise up for Allah, two by two or individually.
This verse forms the opening of the first message and one of the earliest documents in which that unparalleled righteous servant [of Allah], and the great soul of our time and era, the Great Leader of the [Islamic] Revolution and founder of the Islamic Republic [i.e. Imam Khomeini (R)], called the Iranian nation to do Qiyam (to rise up) for Allah.
Yes, doing Qiyam (rising up) for Allah is the foundation of Imam Khomeini (R)’s Maktab (school of thought), and among Imam Khomeini (R)’s most important effects and blessings was his guidance, education, nurturing, and profound influence upon society based on this principle.
It was this divine movement that became the source of the descending of [divine] blessings and divine attention, and the manifestation of Allah’s promise to guide a society that is upon the path of Haqq (the Truth), as Allah says: “Those who strive in Our path, We will surely guide them to Our ways.” [Quran 26:69]
Was it not under the direct or indirect guidance of Khomeini the Great and Khamenei the Great Noble Martyred Leader that the most significant mobilizations and awakenings of the Iranian nation took place?
What immense force could have awakened a nation lulled and mesmerized by Istikbar (arrogance) and colonialism – in conditions where repression, suffocation, and an all-encompassing dependence on the West prevailed – on June 5th 1963?
What magnetic power could have brought millions of people into the streets on January 21st 1979, to welcome Imam Khomeini (R), and on June 4th 1989, to bid farewell to Imam Khomeini (R)?
And in the latest astonishing example, what firm force and iron will was it, that from the dawn of the March the 1st 2026, so raised up the Iranian nation, bringing them into the arena in such a way that – with lofty motivation – even after more than three months, they still remain passionately present in the arena, seeking justice for their Martyred Leader and the other martyrs drenched in their blood, and in defense of the sanctity of the Islamic System and their beloved homeland; and have formed ranks of tens of millions of self-sacrificing people for the realization of the Martyred Leader’s ideals, and the establishment of Truth, and rising up for the sake of Allah?
Indeed, it was Khomeini the Great and Khamenei the Great Noble Martyr who discovered and revived this potential and readiness within the Iranian nation and always uniquely honored it.
The esteemed Imam Khomeini (R) – who without a doubt had exemplary piety and was [very] careful when it came to what he wrote down – in his will, he makes a powerful claim and writes the following: “I boldly claim that the Iranian nation in their millions today, is better than the people of the Hejaz in the time of the Messenger of Allah (S), and [better than the people of] Kufa and Iraq in the time of the Commander of the Faithful [Imam Ali (A)] and [Imam] Husayn ibn Ali (A).”
Today, the whole of the noble [Iranian] nation takes pride that through its fresh Be’that (raising up) –alongside the Front of Resistance – has become a source of honor before the aware eyes and free nations of the world, manifesting once again the truth of Imam Khomeini (R)’s statement in his will.
In the words of the Martyred Leader [Shaheed Khamenei] – may Allah elevate his noble rank – that powerful hand which was able to set the vast ocean of the Iranian nation into motion was the iron-like character, the assured heart, and the Zulfiqar-like tongue of the esteemed Imam (R) – the Great Khomeini (R) – who was able to bring millions of people into the arena, keep them in the arena, and teach them the direction of the movement.
And undoubtedly, another example of this kind of influence [that Imam Khomeini (R) had] is that of the dearly esteemed Khamenei himself; who stepped onto the path of his righteous forerunners, and over nearly four decades of leading the [Islamic] Revolution and the Islamic System – with trust in the youth, and by deepening and elevating the level of the people’s understanding and outlook – brought society to such a level of readiness that after the great event of Shaheed Khamenei’s martyrdom, a new stage of the Be’that (raising up) of the Iranian nation took shape.
Yes, the Maktab (school of thought) of Khamenei the Dearly Esteemed, is the continuation of the Maktab of Khomeini the Great, which is the extension of the Pure Muhammadan Islam – peace be upon Muhammad (S) and his family (A) – whose foundation is rising up for Allah.
And the students of this Maktab stand ready, rank upon rank, to establish Truth, eliminate falsehood, and strive along this luminous path.
Imam Khomeini (R) initiated a great and historic transformation in Iran, the Islamic Ummah, and the world, which the Martyred Leader [Shaheed Khamenei] – may Allah elevate his noble rank – deepened, expanded, and sustained, and [took it to] its perfection and its implementation through system-building and society-building.
And along these lines, in addition to keeping Imam Khomeini (R)’s Maktab alive through his words, writings, actions, and various meetings, his eminence [Shaheed Khamenei], transformed the 4th of June into an annual occasion for renewing the nation’s covenant with Imam Khomeini (R), and would explain and elucidate a comprehensive framework of the principles, policies, and guiding lines of Imam Khomeini (R)’s Maktab.
Incidentally, Shaheed Khamenei repeatedly emphasized teachings such as the Iranian nation is a Mo’min nation, intelligent, and courageous. And that the people are the true owners of the country and [the true] source of the country’s power. And that the people can bring about any genuine transformation that they pursue. And they can bring to fruition the slogan of “We Can!” to various arenas.
Among these teachings is also the necessity of supporting the oppressed as per an Islamic duty, a human duty, and an Iranian duty. And understanding that the [global] system of domination – led by America – has a problem with this [Iranian] nation, its unique identity, and its refusal to submit.
Yes, the system of domination – which around 80 years ago created a military garrison called israel – does not accept the existence of a strong and independent Iran, and [an Iran that] has multiple advantages, and is on the eastern geographical borders of the hollow and fake greater israel – meaning on the east of Euphrates river – and thus, spares no effort to prevent Iran’s progress.
Today, I humbly say to the dearly esteemed [Iranian] nation, that after suffering defeats by your brave sons in the armed forces, and especially after being confronted with firm strikes, whether it be on the military front or on the streets [of Iran], the wicked enemy is experiencing profound and deep humiliation – and due to that [humiliation that they have incurred,] has resulted in a tangible distancing of countries from [israel] – has now focused its hybrid warfare on two points: one, the resilience of the people, and two, disrupting the decision-making calculations of the country’s officials. The wicked enemy’s main tools in both of these [arenas] are sowing doubt, despair, fear, suspicion, and division.
Therefore, in confronting these plots, all must stand steadfast, with clarity, preserving unity and cohesion, having mutual trust, and by refusing to echo the enemy’s words, and thus neutralize their evil schemes. In this respect, the role of officials in supporting these matters is very important.
Any action that causes pessimism or discouragement among the people is effectively aiding the enemy of this country and its people.
Now, a new opportunity has arisen to practically present and realize worldwide, the Maktab of Khomeini the Great and Khamenei the Dearly Esteemed Martyr as the oppressed, yet powerful and ultimately victorious leaders of the Islamic Revolution.
This important responsibility rests upon all members of the nation, especially the youth, the elites and intellectuals, and the people of thought and culture – with trust in Allah’s promises and under the guidance of the Awaited Savior, may Allah the Exalted hasten his noble reappearance, and upon the path of the Pure Islam, meaning the luminous path laid out in the era of the 250 year presence of the Masters of Infallibility and the Great Wilayah, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon them all – to build the bright future of dearly esteemed Iran based upon this Maktab.
I ask Allah the Powerful the Exalted to grant final victory to this nation that has been raised up, and to grant the nation the lofty peaks of progress and greatness, to unite the heavenly souls of the leaders of the [Islamic] Revolution and the pure souls of the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution – especially the martyrs of the second and third Sacred Defense – with, and to be raised up with their Mawla (master), his eminence the Commander of the Faithful [Imam] Ali (A), and to make the holy and luminous heart of the Master of the Age [Imam al-Mahdi (A)] pleased with the Iranian nation, and by his favor and generosity, to grant this dearly esteemed nation and its servants the benefit of his special prayers and intercession.
And peace be upon you, and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
Sayyid Mojtaba Husayni Khamenei
14 Khordad 1405
18 Dhul Hijjah 1447
4 June 2026
