Detailed Statement of Ayatollah Shab-Zendeh-Dar Regarding the Third Leader of the Revolution

The Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Seminaries, in an interview with IRIB news agency, elaborated on points related to the principle of the Guardianship of the Jurist (Wilayat al-Faqih) and the selection of the third leader of the Islamic Revolution.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and may blessings and peace be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and immaculate family, especially the Awaited Savior (Baqiyatullah fi’l-ard), may our souls be sacrificed for him. May Allah hasten his noble reappearance, and may eternal curse be upon all his enemies.

On the nineteenth night of the blessed month of Ramadan, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, was subjected to a cowardly and brutal attack by the enemies of Islam. I extend my heartfelt condolences for this great tragedy to the presence of the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him, to all Shiites and devotees, and indeed to all Muslims and the oppressed people of the world.”

We are in a period marked by the painful loss of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, which has deeply affected the revolution, society, and the Shiites. His blessed body still rests on the earth, and due to the difficulties created by the enemies of Islam and the resulting insecurity, this pure body remains on earth. Hearts and souls are heavy with grief. However, thanks be to Allah, this loss has been alleviated by last night’s announcement and the Assembly of Experts’ selection of a worthy successor, who will serve as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic. This choice has been a balm to the accumulated sorrows and grief of the people of this country. As we have seen, many expressed that this selection has brought them peace and has somewhat eased the profound and layered sadness.

The pillar of the Islamic system is the Guardianship of the Jurist (Wilayat al-Faqih). After the era of the Imams, may peace be upon them, when these great leaders are not visibly present among the people, the responsibility, as ordained, rests upon the qualified jurists (faqihs) who meet the necessary conditions. The central support (pillar) of this system will be raised and upheld by a jurist who fulfills these qualifications.

Thanks be to Allah, just as after the passing of Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Revolution, God had ordained and prepared a reserve. Before that great leader was chosen, these aspects of the successor were hidden and not apparent. Yet, Allah guided the minds of the Experts at that time to select a personality whose virtues, strong management, and merits became increasingly evident to the world over time. God willing, this current selection will be similar, and God willing, this esteemed figure, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei (may his shadow be extended), will, like his father, uphold this banner. God willing, the hope that the revered father had to entrust this banner to the Awaited Savior (Baqiyatullah al-Azam) will be realized through this son and worthy successor.

For a scholar to be successful, several essential elements must be considered.

The first pillar for a scholar is jurisprudential expertise, being learned, and having familiarity with the various aspects of Islam. In a well-known narration from Umar ibn Hanzah, Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said: ‘Someone among you whom I have appointed as ruler, who understands our lawful and prohibited matters and the customary practice of our laws’  ("و نظر فی حلالنا و حرامنا و عرف احکامنا" ). He further explained that anyone who opposes this appointed person is, in effect, opposing Imam al-Sadiq himself, and such opposition is considered akin to associating partners with Allah. Thanks be to Allah, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei (may his shadow be extended) has attained the status of “observing their lawful and prohibited matters and customs of their rulings” ("نظر فی حلالهم و حرامهم و عرف احکامهم").

Thanks be to Allah, he possesses this first condition and pillar. He has studied for many years under the guidance of prominent scholars and masters in Qom, completing the prepatatory stages before Dars-e-Kharij under trusted professors. I know these professors personally, and they all highly praised his exceptional aptitude and intelligence, noting that he passed those years admirably. For many years, he has taught Dars-e-Kharij, the highest level of study in the seminaries. Naturally, this educational and teaching background has enabled him to attain this most important pillar of his position and office: insight into what is lawful and prohibited and an understanding of customary practices (“نظر فی حلالهم و حرامهم و عرف احکامهم”).”

According to the supplications of the Awaited Savior (Baqiyatullah al-Azam), he prayed for the success of all groups, especially scholars, requesting two key qualities: asceticism (zuhd) and sincerity (nasiha). Asceticism refers to detachment from the fleeting material world, including worldly honors and positions. This quality, thanks be to Allah, is present in this family: the late Ayatollah Seyed Javad Khamenei, the late Supreme Leader, and his son, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

By the grace of Allah, we had the opportunity to visit the late Supreme Leader weekly, and it was clear that his life was one of ascetic devotion. His children were raised similarly, embodying asceticism, piety, God-consciousness, and dedication to struggle.

For assuming leadership in Islam, asceticism is a crucial condition. As mentioned in the Du‘a Nudba: “After making them detached from the lowly things of this world…”—God grants the Imams their leadership after testing their asceticism, and their success in these trials is what allows them to attain high stations. Similarly, the success of a religious scholar is measured by this quality, according to narrations concerning the Awaited Imam.
Thus, we testify unequivocally that Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei possesses both the first pillar, knowledge of lawful and prohibited matters, and the second pillar, asceticism and detachment from worldly desires.

I have also heard that he accepted this position, which the Assembly of Experts insisted upon, out of a sense of duty, despite being in the midst of great personal sorrow—the loss of his esteemed father and mother, his honorable spouse, some sisters, and other relatives. Yet, understanding the country is under attack by the enemies of Islam, Iran, and humanity, he recognized the obligation to uphold the system, keep it dignified, active, and courageous, and to maintain its central pillar.

Thanks be to Allah, he accepted this responsibility, responding to the wise choice of the Experts. We also express our gratitude to the Assembly of Experts for performing their duty well and making a sound choice, and to this esteemed scholar for accepting the position. We pray that he is continuously under the guidance and blessings of the Awaited Savior, who is the source of this viceregal authority, and that he may fulfill this responsibility in the best possible way.

Another quality that the Awaited Imam (Imam al-Zaman, peace be upon him) desired for the success of scholars is nasiha—sincerity and heartfelt care. Nasiha means genuine concern: that a person cares for the people of his society, for the servants of Allah, and for all social groups, wishing for their well-being, comfort, spiritual growth, and adherence to the path of truth. Thanks be to Allah, we see that this quality is present in this esteemed scholar. I am aware that, alongside his revered father (may Allah have mercy on him), he was an active participant in gatherings held to address various problems. Being present at the heart of these events has given him complete familiarity with theses circumstances and its characteristics, which is a crucial attribute for anyone assuming leadership. He has not been isolated or uninformed; he has been actively present in these critical situations.

From his youth, he was involved in the fronts of the Sacred Defense (Jebhe-ye Defa’-e Moqaddas), serving anonymously and without recognition, and without people knowing that he was the son of the respected President of that time. His other children were raised similarly. I am aware of this. This is a divine quality present in this family; they are not ostentatious or showy about their deeds. Thanks be to Allah, I must say that Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba possesses many virtues. God has blessed him with piety and God-consciousness. His lectures were attended by over a thousand students and continued for many years. Reportedly, last year, he paused his lectures for a spiritual reason. Many might continue teaching in order to maintain prominence, but he suspended his lecture out of a spiritual consideration. Some students even petitioned his esteemed father (may Allah have mercy on him) to instruct him to continue, but he reportedly told his father: ‘Do not command me.’ He explained that the audience was suitable for a Marja’s lecture. This is a very high position to be in for a human to recognize one’s limits before the Almighty.

From the bottom of my heart, i say that these virtues are extremely important and it is precisely these that attract the blessings and favors of Almighty Allah. 

These pure intentions and righteous methods attract the blessings and guidance of the Awaited Savior (Baqiyatullah al-Azam, may our souls be sacrificed for him), and everything we have comes from the favors of the Almighty Allah and His chosen ones, among whom today is the Awaited Savior.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations on this selection to his blessed self, to the wise and loyal people of this country, and indeed to all the oppressed and downtrodden of the world who hope that this revolution achieves its objectives. We hope that, God willing, during his leadership and guidance, affairs will reach a better state of order, and complete security will be established in the country of the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them.

The cultural and economic challenges we face are largely the result of the hostility of our enemies and the problems they have created. Otherwise, this country, with its inherent resources, its God-fearing, highly educated scholars, and its learned citizens, could have achieved remarkable progress.
Even now, those who lived through the era of tyranny (the Shah’s regime) and have also witnessed the present period can see that the difference is as vast as heaven and earth. Having personally experienced that time and seeing the present, the change is profound. Despite all the challenges, sanctions, and hostilities—many of which constrained the authorities—significant advancements have nevertheless been made.

Consider our armed forces; their remarkable achievements in various fields have been realized under the leadership of our late, beloved Supreme Leader, guided by his counsel, and through the tireless efforts of dedicated  scholars who contributed to this path. Other sectors of the country have similarly progressed.

God willing, with the special guidance and support of Almighty Allah in this blessed month, and with the assistance of the Master of the God-conscious (Mawla al-Muttaqin) and the Commander of the Faithful (Mawla Amir al-Mu’minin, peace be upon him), who achieved countless victories during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and afterwards, may God willing these victories be granted to this worthy successor of that great leader.

One of the distinguishing attributes of this esteemed scholar is that he comes from this noble lineage—descendants of the Messenger of Allah and of the Commander of the Faithful and the Imams of Guidance, peace be upon them. As some scholars have stated, the Khamenei family’s status as Sayyids is indisputable.

It is incumbent upon all of us and upon every segment of society—whether the esteemed clergy, scholars in various fields, university academics, men, women, youth and adolescents, and all those living under the banner of Islam in this country—to express loyalty and support. A leader can only advance his work with steadfast steps when he enjoys the support of the people, and this is an essential requirement.

I have heard that in the year 1342 (1963 CE), when Imam Khomeini was arrested and later released, one of those present among the crowds who had gathered to demonstrate support for him was Grand Ayatollah Bahjat. He would come into the crowd to show that we stand in support. Ayatollah Bahjat himself was a highly accomplished faqih of the highest caliber, yet seeing that the banner of Islam was in the hands of Imam Khomeini and that he had raised this flag, he considered it his duty to appear among the crowds who were expressing their loyalty.

From the late Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, may Allah have mercy on him, I heard that some of the prominent scholars of Mashhad who were his teachers, such as Ayatollah Mojtaba Qazvini and Mulla Hashem Qazvini, came to Qom from Mashhad to show their loyalty and support when Imam Khomeini began the revolution.

Today, God willing, all the great scholars, elites, intellectuals, scientists, members of various professions, and the youth—whom we see in these nights expressing their loyalty and participating actively despite the threat of malicious attacks by enemies—are present heroically, raising slogans and expressing themselves in ways that inspire awe. Sometimes, when one sees these remarks - where a teenager says something that a wise person would say - one is truely moved.

Thanks be to Allah, God has granted deep insight to this people and this country. I offer my congratulations and hope that this selection, God willing, will be blessed, and that the void left by the loss of the late great leader will be filled through this esteemed successor. One of his distinguishing qualities is that he is also a Khamenei. This alone continuously evokes the memory and significance of his honored father, who have rendered immense service to this country.

God willing, what the leaders of the revolution—Grand Ayatollah Imam Khomeini (may Allah have mercy on him) and his worthy successor, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah have mercy on him)—intended will continue under the leadership of this worthy successor. Indeed, we hope that, with the blessings of Almighty Allah and the Awaited Savior (Baqiyatullah al-Azam, may our souls be sacrificed for him), things will continue to improve ever more.

And finally, “All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds”.