A 250 Years Old Person: Seye Ali Khamenei
A 250 Years Old Person: Seye Ali Khamenei
A 250 Years Old Person: Seye Ali Khamenei
Old Person
Statements and Expressionsof the Great
Leader and Guardian
On the Political Combats and Stuggles of
Infallible Imams (Peace Be Upon Them)
TABLE OF COTENTS
PREFACE
PUBLISHERS PREFACE
13
INTRODUCTION
15
27
62
THE THIRD CHAPTER: THE BELIEVERS' LEADER AND CHIEF (AMIR ALMUMINEEN)
72
105
118
148
169
193
248
272
281
303
311
326
THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER: IMAM JAWAD, IMAM HADI AND IMAM ASKARI
340
353
374
Preface
These important and well-explained contents are presentations of
the Supreme Leader in the second World Congress of Imam Reza
(A.S) (Murdad 1365) about the component of Jihad and political
combat in the life of Imams (A.S) with the title ((250 years old
person)), thus the continual and conterminous of the imams (A.S)
movement exemplifies the direction that is heading to one destination,
therefore, we undertook to gather his presentation about the life of
inerrant Imams (A.S) which had delivered around this noble time, the
fruition of the collection of presentations of the Supreme Leader
which is now in your hand.
Accurately, the title of the book has been drawn from the
enlightened words of the Supreme Leader and being an expression of
his view towards political life [the effort of Imams (A.S)]. The reason
for giving this name to the life of Imams (A.S) as; the 250 years old
person, has been brought at the preamble of the book from his words
in detail; therefore, it is important that you should benefit as you go
through the introduction before entering inside the units of the book,
in order to catch a full view of the 250 years old person and the
subject of the book; InshaAllah.
This book is composed of 17 units that its compilation method of
contents of the biography of Imams (A.S) has been arranged in proper
way from the period of the utmost prophet until the time of Imam
Jawad, Imam Hadi and Imam Askari (A.S); in such a way that, the
expression of Supreme Leader about these three prominent Imams has
in this respect put in one section. In the first section, political life of
the Holy Prophet of Islam has been briefly scrutinized, which is
worthy by considering the events of this period as a mirror that
displays the entire life of Imams (A.S) and being a measure and an
element for understanding the initial movement of Islam in duration of
Publishers Preface
In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful
The unfamiliarity of infallible Imams (A.S) is not limited to their
ling period, but rather their lifes important dimensions and conduct
[Sirah] were not known during the later years continuously as should.
We can say without any doubt that the books written during these
centuries have prominent values, because they could transfer a bundle
of narrations according to the life of these Islamic leaders for the
coming and current generation.
We should choice the lives of Infallibles as the role model and
lessons not only as the valuable and prominent memories. This
purpose is not impossible without paying attention to their political
attitude and method. Despite of what is apparently seen, the life of
Shias Imams is a continuous and long movement in overall which
starts from 11th Hijrah and had continued for 250 years.
These Holy Figures are one light and their goal and purpose one
also. As narrated:
Muhammad Salar
The Incharge of International Affairs
Department
The Ahl al-Bayt (as) World Assembly (ABWA)
Introduction
Estrangement of Imams have never been reached to an end all over
their period, rather all centuries long, and it is possible disregarding
other profound dimensions to say that the historical alienation of
these magnanimous people continued to a certain extent.
Undoubtedly, any written materials and scripts which were being
recorded in these centuries, they have valued uniquely for the reason
that they managed to keep the collections of narrations which were
about the biography of these estimable to be the remembrance of
future generation. However, an element (Hot political combat) which
is making up the outspread-life of guidance of Imams (A.S) during
250 years long, in the midst of Quranic verses and traditional
narrations and biographies in consideration of knowledge and spiritual
aspects are missing.
The Imams life-style for us should be our role model and effective
lesson not only valuable and magnificent memoirs, but, without
considering their political-strategy and the features we cannot gain
anything from them: meaning that it is important to look into their
way of living. Personally, Im interested in this post and I have found
that their way of living arouses and holds my attention. And it is not
bad to say that this notion for me developed during the year 1350, the
period of baleful and affliction and affection to difficulties. Though,
being that this great combats were done in position of sacrifice the
propagation of the oneness of God and his kingdom, I became
concerned but one point which just came abruptly into my realization
was the life of these infallibles in addition to its wide disparities in
such a way that others in some areas of this biography have felt
inconsistence- has continual progression and it is all the way starting
from the year of tenth and eleventh hijr to 250 and having a
continuance reaching to 260 - which is where the first minor absence
1. Al-kafi, V. 4, P. 466.
1. Surah al-Anam:125
2. Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon: 45
1. Surah Al-Jumua: 2
1. Surah Al-Hijr: 91
2. Tuhful Uqul, P. 485
3.
1. Surah al-Anfal: 8
1. Surah al-Tawba: 77
1. Nahjul-Balaghah: 92
1. Tasnif Ghurar-Hikam
1. Al-Hayaat, V. 2, P. 714
2. Daaim Islam, V.2, P.443
1. Surah al-Kawthar: 1
2. Surah al-Saff: 8
1. Al-Kafi, V. 2, P. 254
2. Routhatul mottaqeen in elaboration of a book Man La Yahdhuruhul
Faqeeh, V. 5 P.343.
1. Quran, 3: 54
2. Tuhaf al- Uqul, P. 308 (O the Humiliater of believers)
1. Pasdar Islam S. 6
2. Al-Kafi, V, 1, P. 368
3. Al- Kafi, V. 1, P. 368
Among the people is he whose talk about worldly life impresses you,
and he holds Allah witness to what is in his heart, though he is the
staunchest of enemies.
Because Muawiyah was confronting the [golden and eloquent]
words ofthe Believers' Leader and Chief (Amir al-Mumineen)
1. Al-Baqarha: 204.
And among the people is he who sells his soul seeking the pleasure
of Allah.
1. Al-Baqarah: 207.
1. Al-Kafi, V. 8, P. 24.
1. Quran, 9:73
1. Quran, 57:20
1. Al-Kafi. V, 2. P.73
1. Quran, 5:54
1. Al-Kafi, V. 3, P. 530
2. Bihar, V. 44, P. 316
1. Bihar, V. 45.P.117
1. Ansab, V. 7, P. 209
O the incomplete moon that experienced the lunar eclipse and
turned dark. O part of my soul! I never thought that this was also
decreed and predestined.
Suddenly people felt that the politics was a different one altogether.
Oppression had gone to a higher level. Things that could not even be
imagined were imagined and done! So, a great terror had hit the whole
Islamic world except Ku fah. This was because of the blessing from
the repentance of people and later on due to the emergence of
Mukhtar.
Were it not for these, that terror that started from the event of
Karbala was present in Medina and other places. It was even in Mecca
with the fact that Abdullah ibn Zubeir led a revolution after some
times. This was a terror that had never been experienced in the history
of the Islamic world.
Therefore, the manner of thinking, this moral corruption, and the
political corruption was also another factor. Most of the great people
had been drowned in the pompous world of materialistic gains. This
was being accomplished by the officials of the oppressive dynasty.
Great personalities like Muhammad ibn Shahab Zahri who was at
one time one of the students of Imam Sajjad (A.S) was connected to
Surely the sign of the pious people in the world is that they are
aspiring for the hereafter.
In that saying, there is a famous motive that we had mentioned.
2
.
Is there no free man to leave this left-over of the dog to the
people that deserve them?!
The definition of the Islamic ideology in this statement is:
Considering the spiritual gain as the main aim, moving towards
achieving it and creating a relationship between man and Allah and
his religious responsibilities. This was an issue that served as a
stumbling block in the peoples quest for the materialistic benefits.
This is just an example that I have sighted and the Imam ought to have
done more of this.
This was in order for the right Islamic ideology to be retained in the
environment of the Islamic society to an extent that it will never go
away. This was the first task of Imam Sajjad (A.S).
2. Informing the people concerning the right person that
should be in charge of the government. This was while
propagation against the holy progeny (A.S) in the span of tens of
years till the time of Imam Sajjad (A.S) had been going on. The
Islamic world was filled with numerous forged traditions
ascribed to the Holy Prophet of Allah (s.a.w).These traditions
opposed the actions of the holy progeny (A.S). Some of them
were in fact abuses and curses to the holy progeny (A.S) and
had been spread amongst the people. On the other hand, people
did not also know the true spiritual position of the holy progeny
(A.S). With all of this in mind, how was it possible to form an
Islamic government?
.
The statement begins in a lecture tone and it says: You shouldbe
fearful of Allah and you should know that you shall return to Him.
.
They shall also ask you concerning your prophet that was sent to
you by Allah.
Here the urge to know about the matter of prophet-hood is also
ignited in the hearts of the listeners.
.
You shall also be questioned concerning your religion.
.
And you shall also be questioned regarding your book.
Then while mentioning these pillars of religion; oneness of Allah,
prophet-hood, Holy Quran and religion, he also elaborates his major
agenda
.
1. These are the two angels in charge of interrogating the dead person in the
grave.[Trans.]
May you not be duped by the oppressors, their followers who are
the people that are after the manifold worldly pleasures and carnal
desires and let them deviate you from the right course? These are the
people that have been cheated by the world.
Here the main agenda is to protect them and prepare the framework
for the future. It is clear that there was a great conflict between the
followers of the Imam and the followers of the regime. The followers
of the Holy progeny (A.S) used to suffer a lot. Naturally those who
were against the regime had a difficult life while those supporting it
1. Tuhf al-Uqul, P 252
.
And from the imposing presence of the Caliph and the whispers of
Satan.
The Imam immediately mentions the whispers of Satan after
mentioning the Caliph. Here he explicitly mentions the current Caliph
and put him next to Satan!
He goes ahead and narrates a very interesting statement. I will
mention it because it is very important. This statement is indicating
what we had earlier on said.
.
These incidents that are happening in the days and night in these
fearful periods - are taking away the hopes from the hearts. And they
decrease the urge to fight against the oppressive regime.
.
And they want to eliminate the presence of guidance from the
community the guidance that is within the community.
1
.
They want to hinder people from recognizing the people who are
on the right and they do not want the righteous people to remain in the
community.
Just like I had said before, Imam Sajjad (A.S) is admonishing his
people: You should not allow these incidents to alter your position.
1. Al-Kafi, V. 8, P. 15
.
You should avoid sitting with the wicked people.
What does he means by the wicked people? They are those that
were attracted to the regime of 'Abdul-Malik. You should not go near
them. You should not help the oppressors.
Right now look at Imam Sajjad (A.S) from this point of view and
see what kind of a person does he appear in your brain? Does he still
appear to be that oppressed Imam who is less- talkative, sick and has
nothing to do in life?
The Imam has gathered some of his companions, friends and
relatives and is warning them in this manner. He is admonishing them
against helping the current oppressive regime as he does not want
them to be deviated in their struggle against them. He is preparing
them in order to be ready when they shall be needed to form an
Islamic regime.
One of the most interesting things according to my opinion that can
be derived from these expositions of the Imam is whereby he reminds
people of the afflictions of the Holy progeny (A.S). In this part Imam
Sajjad (A.S) says: Can you remember, or are you aware of how much
pressure was exerted to you by the past oppressive regime?
By pressure he is referring to the afflictions and calamities that the
followers of the Holy progeny (A.S) went through. This was during
the reigns of Muawiyyah, Yazi d and Marwan. Events like the
tragedy of Ashu ra, the martyrdom of Hujr ibn Udey and Rushaid
Hijri . These and many other bitter experiences that the Shiites went
through are still fresh in peoples memories.
You should give priority to the orders of Allah and also obey the
person that Allah Has made it compulsory for you.
Here the Imam explains the philosophy and the basis of imamate
according to the Shiite viewpoint. Who is the right person to be
followed after Allah? It is no one other than the person whose
obedience has been made compulsory to us by Allah. If the people of
that era wanted to reflect on this issue, then it would be very clear to
them that obedience to Abdul-Malik was not compulsory. This is
Do not give priority to the affairs that will come upon you from the
oppressor Abdul-Malik over the obedience to Allah, His prophets
and chosen guardians over you.
We see again the Imam explicitly talks about the matter of
imamate.In the first exposition and this one too, the Imam pays heed
to two vital issues. In these two expositions, two matters from those
three that I had earlier on mentioned have been said. One of them is
reminding people concerning the beliefs of Islam and encouraging
them to go back to their religion. The second one is about the political
issue is the governorship of the Imam. This means the Islamic
administration.
On that day, the Imam informed people on these two matters and in
reality he was propagating the Islamic governorship. Another type of
exposition from the Imam which is more interesting than these two, is
that one whereby the Imam explicitly summoning the people
concerning having a special Islamic governorship. Of course this
address is only meant to his close companions otherwise if he wanted
to address the common people about this, it would have turned out to
1. Tuhfal-Uqul, P. 254
The sign of the ascetics in the world those who pay no heed to
the world this means that they separate from anybody whose belief
and thought does not tally with theirs.
This is a clear invitation to the Islamic Shiite governorship. In this
exposition the Imam teaches that people have to separate and leave
those people whose beliefs and thoughts are different and do not have
the urge to form an Islamic governorship.
Of course there exist an association between them but this type of
association is like that of Iran during the period before the Islamic
revolution. It is like for instance,the grocer in the resting place who
knows that the police are in charge of peoples affairs. The Imam says
that your association with those people that do not share your thoughts
and beliefs must be an inhospitable one and you ought to avoid them.3
1. Unfortunately enough we have to say that none of the title of this kind of
expositions from Imam Sajjad (A.S) which have been chosen by the
narrators points to the issues which we are talking about. Most of them
have been put under the title of asceticism. Of course this is also the real
asceticism, but the normal meaning of asceticism cannot be derived from
these expositions. It should have been mentioned that what the Imam
intended here was political matters. [The Author].
2. Bihar al-Anwar, V. 75, P.128
3. According to my personal view, this kind of exposition from Imam
Sajjad (A.S) can also be found from the other Imams and even in a much
higher number. Of course I have also seen this in the life of Imam Sadiq
(A.S), Baqir (A.S) and three or four other Imams after Imam Sadiq (A.S).
The manner of administering a government can also be found in the
expositions the Believers' Leader and Chief (Amir al-Mumineen) Ali (A.S).
[The author].
.
O my Lord! Make our ending to be a good one.
This supplication revives the thought of the hereafter in your soul
and reminds you concerning the Day of Judgment. At times, man
becomes negligent about the hereafter. At the present time he is living,
enjoying and has forgotten that the hereafter has a major role in
determining the fate and predestination of man.
When you have recited this supplication, it suddenly reminds you of
the Day of Judgment and it revives in you the motive of concentrating
about the hereafter. So this will enable you to struggle in order to
correct your hereafter. But how shall you correct it? This is another
issue all together. All we wanted is to site an example showing how
supplication plays a vital role in directing man to the right motives.
Yes, the book Sahi fatu as-Sajjadiyah from the start to the
end is full of motives for man. Suppose man pays heed to them, this
book is really enough to direct, correct and wake up the nation.If we
leave this aside, there are several traditions narrated from Imam Sajjad
(A.S) of which I have mentioned one of them before;
.
The Umayyad dynasty has opened the way for people to learn faith
but have closed the way for people to learn polytheism. They have
done so in order for people not to realize polytheism, when they drag
them into it.
This means that the Umayyad dynasty used to allow the religious
scholars and in particular the holy progeny (A.S) to teach people
concerning prayers, Hajj, Zakat, fasting, worshipping and so on.
Likewise they also allowed them to teach and propagate the oneness
of Allah, prophet-hood and the Islamic laws concerning these matters.
But at the same time, they never allowed them to teach people
concerning the truth, signs and aspects of polytheism. This was
because if they taught people about these issues concerning
polytheism, people would have realized that they were polytheists. It
would be clear to people that what the Umayyad dynasty was
propagating was nothing other than polytheism.
People would have immediately recognized that Abdul-Malik and
the other Umayyad rulersare nothing but oppressors. These are people
that have raised a flag in war against Allah and anyone that followed
them has actually accepted polytheism. It was due to these reasons
that they never allowed people to learn issues concerning polytheism.
In Islam when we learn about the oneness of Allah, one of the most
important matters that we talk about is polytheism and a polytheist.
What is an idol and who is an idol worshipper? The late grand scholar
Majlisi (r.a) in his book Biharal-Anwar says:
1. During that time, everyone used to get their portions from the treasury.
And the Imamtoo, like everyone else used to get his portion from it.[the
author]
2. Surah al-Hajj: 38
:
.
Zahri has ascribed a tradition to the Holy Prophet of Allah
(s.a.w.a) that he said: One should not walk with honor and grandeur
except
when going to three mosques; Masjid al-Haram, Masjid alMedina and Masjid al-Aqsa . And that stone that is in Masjid alAqsa whereby the Holy Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a) stepped on, takes
the position of the holy Kaabah!
My concern is in this last part of the tradition whereby he is
considering this stone to be Kaabah. He has placed the significance
1. Walid was the eldest son of 'Abd al-Malik Marwan and he inherited the
caliphate after the death of his father.
1. These are people that do not belief that mankind is free in his actions.
This means that whatever man does whether good or bad is because he has
been forced by Allah to do it. Jabr means that man has no choice in his
actions whatsoever.
2. Surah al-Kahf: 54
.
May Allah protect you and us from sedition and may He protect
you from hell fire.
In the second part of this statement, the Imam addresses him alone.
This is because everybody can be affected by sedition including the
Imam himself. The only difference is that the Imam cannot drown in
sedition. This is while Muhammad ibn Shahab can both be affected
and drowned in it.
As for the hell fire, it cannot reach the Imam and so he relates this
to Muhammad ibn Shahab. Commencing this letter in such a tone, is a
proof to show the attitude of the Imam towards him. It is both
.
You are in such a position whereby whoever knows it, must pity
you.
Pay attention to which person is being addressed here. This is an
address to a person that everyone used to admire. He was one of the
most knowledgeable scholars loved by the rulers. But the Imam
considers him to be so weak and abject that he says: Whoever knows
you in this condition has to pity you.
After that the Imam counts for him the favors that Allah Has
bestowed upon him and the proofs that He has shown him. He then
says: With all these favors that you have been granted by Allah, can
you tell Allah how you benefitted from them or no?
After that, he mentions a verse from the holy Qur'an and says:
Allah will never forgive you for your shortcomings. This is because
Allah wants the scholars to tell people the truth;
1
You shall make it clear to the people, and not conceal it.
After this introduction, he goes ahead:
.
Know that the least thing that you have concealed and the lightest
thing that you have endured is that you have turned the panic of the
oppressors into familiarity. You have also provided a means for them
to go astray. You have done this for the sake of attaining nearness to
him and you answered his call whenever he invited you.
1. Surah Al-Imran: 187
.
And you have come close to a person that has never bestowed any
right upon its owner the oppressive rulers and when they brought
you close to them, you never corrected any of their wrong doings.
This means that you cannot give an excuse by saying that I went
close to them in order to propagate good and to forbid evil! During the
time that you have been with them, there is no evil that you have stood
against. This is while the regime is full of evils.
.
And you have befriended an enemy of Allah.
The most shocking statement of Imam Sajjad (A.S) in this letter is
whereby he says:
.
Was it not like this and were you not aware that when they
brought you close to them, they used you as an axis for them to
accomplish their oppression. And they used you as a bridge for them
to cross over to their evil deeds. They used you as a ladder to climb to
their abjectness. You were the propagator for their deviation. They
have used you to create doubt in the minds of scholars and have used
you to attract the souls of the fools towards themselves.
This means that you are responsible for causing uncertainty in the
minds of the scholars. They are asking whether there is a problem for
them to join the oppressive rulers or no? At times, some of them have
1. For the detail of Imam's praise for Fuzail, cf., Qamos al-Rejal, V. 97, PP.
343-345. (Writer)
1. Hussein bin Ali Hussein Fakh-, is the son of Ali bin Hussein bin
Hassan bin Hassan Mujtaba (Peace Be Upon Him) and his mother was
Zainab daughter of Abdullah bin Hassan. He upraised in the era of Musa
bin al-Hadi, the nephew of Mansoor. Fakh is the name of a well on the
milestone (Farsakh)
1. Quoted from the Verses of 15th and 31st of Holy Surah Maryam.
(O the People! The Holy Prophet of Allah was Imam)
The Prophet himself was Imam, i.e. He was the leader and guide of
society.
(After Him, Ali Bin bin Abi Talib)
It was the very logic of Shia; then Hassan, then Hussein, then Ali
bin al-Hussein, then Muhammad bin Ali and then I am. Introduced
himself as Imam and it needed a lot of bravery. It is not a normal
word, not just simple one, it was the biggest announcement of
disagreement; Imam Sadiq used to do this in the latter period of Bani
Umayyah. But not in the period of Bani Abbas, use to perform with
1. The booty and property that is got in the control of Islamic Government
without any war.
2. Al-Kafi, V1, P 186.
""
""
" ...
1. This situation is comparable in some measure and dimensions with the
context of current society [of Iran] which is being leaded by the Supreme
Leader and regulated by the political parties.
""
1. Al-Ihtijaj Ala Ahl al-Lujaj, Tabarsi, V 2, P 289. There are two Caliphs in a
country and people pay tax for both of them
him and upon his fathers, in this time and in every time Guider,
preserver, leader, helper, and assistor, truth one till you settle him
on your earth comfortable and bestows upon him for longer
period.
1. Bihar al-Anwar, V. 99, P. 108