Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Nourmofidi in an Advanced Jurisprudence Class: Martyr Soleimani Was a Thoroughgoing Revolutionary Believer

During his advanced jurisprudence class on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, marking the anniversary of Commander Qassem Soleimani’s martyrdom, Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Nourmofidi spoke about the value of jihad and martyrdom in the path of God.

He described Martyr Commander Qassem Soleimani as a clear example of a mujahid in the path of God and referred to some of the distinguished martyr’s characteristics.

A narration from Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) concerning martyrdom and jihad in the path of God states that he said: “لِلْجَنَّةِ بَابٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ بَابُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ يَمْضُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ مَفْتُوحٌ وَ هُمْ مُتَقَلِّدُونَ بِسُيُوفِهِمْ وَ الْجَمْعُ فِي الْمَوْقِفِ.” Paradise has a gate called the Gate of the Mujahideen. They proceed toward that open gate with their swords—their weapons—slung over their shoulders, while everyone else remains standing on the Plain of Resurrection.

This is a very important point concerning those who fight in the path of God, those who strive and struggle for God’s religion and in defense of the path of God, Blessed and Exalted. God has assigned such value to the mujahideen in His path; this is one aspect of the value of their deeds. If we wished to speak about the value of fighting and jihad in the path of God and the greatness of this deed, there would be much to say. Both the verses and the narrations contain abundant material concerning the greatness of striving and martyrdom in the path of God.

For example, the Noble Messenger of Islam (peace be upon him and his family) says that going to the front and into battle once in the path of God is better and greater than the entire world and everything within it. Participating in jihad with the intention of seeking closeness to God—meaning that a person strives in the path of God, genuinely for God and in obedience to the divine command—is greater than the entire world and everything within it. The reason is that someone who, for God’s sake, is prepared to relinquish the dearest of all things—his life—has reached the ultimate end. Suppose the world and everything in it were given to a person; what value would that have for him? It would provide pleasure for a few days, but if the whole world were at his disposal and did not help elevate his character in the slightest, what value or benefit would it have? If the entire world were given to him and he used it in the path of God, it would bring him closer to God. The ultimate degree of closeness, however, is attained when a person relinquishes his own life in the path of God.

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) says: “بانفاق المهج یصل العبد الی حبیبه”—through offering his lifeblood, meaning through martyrdom and the shedding of the servant’s blood, he attains union with his Beloved and becomes connected to the One he worships. This is not merely a devotional matter. If someone is prepared to shed his blood and give his life, he attains the station of union. What do union and the station of closeness mean? They mean seeing God and not seeing oneself. This is the meaning of annihilation in the path of God. When someone attains this station and loves God so deeply that he no longer sees himself and sees only God, this is closeness. It is true that closeness has different degrees, and the martyrs are not all of the same rank. In general, however, one who reaches the stage at which he relinquishes his life and his blood is shed in the path of God—yasilu ila habibihi—becomes united with his Beloved and attains that station. Closeness and proximity to God are nothing other than this. Closeness to God Most High means overcoming the self. Whoever overcomes himself draws closer to this station as egotism, selfhood, and selfish desires increasingly recede. Someone who is prepared to annihilate his entire existence all at once, who has attached no importance to the world, who has left his wife and children behind, and whom none of these things have prevented—this is the station of closeness.

There is much to say about this subject. I have mentioned it because these are the days marking Commander Soleimani’s martyrdom. He was truly an outstanding example of a mujahid in the path of God—a thoroughgoing revolutionary believer. I believe that throughout his life, he cultivated within himself the readiness that enabled him to reach this point. At times, one encounters unfairness and unjust judgments in cyberspace. It is truly wrong for a person to abandon fairness. Martyr Soleimani was tireless, compassionate, courageous, broad-minded, and deeply connected to the people. He cared for the people, the Revolution, and the Islamic Republic; he cared for the leadership and devoted his entire life to this path. He is undoubtedly an example of what the Noble Messenger of Islam (peace be upon him and his family) and Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) described. The services this martyr rendered in various fields and the sacrifices he made cannot be ignored. Throughout the history of this land, individuals have been introduced under various names as national heroes. We must honor our national heroes, whether legendary or real, throughout the history of this country. There is no reason to deny one national hero in order to elevate another. They are all valuable; they all served this country… Each in their own way, our national heroes throughout history made sacrifices. We must appreciate the courage and struggles of all of them. Yet the veil of contemporaneity prevents us from properly recognizing some of our national heroes. Martyr Soleimani is undoubtedly an enduring national hero in the history of Iran. He is certainly a highly honored commander in the history of Islam. God Almighty willing, may He raise this martyr alongside His saints, the Master of Martyrs, and the late, illustrious Imam, and grant all of us the ability to comprehend, understand, and recognize the path of truth so that we may at least appreciate the efforts of these distinguished figures and martyrs