Statements by Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi on the Birth Anniversary of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (PBUH) and the Anniversary of the Victory of the Islamic Revolution During His Advanced Jurisprudence Class

✅ The existing shortcomings, problems, and public dissatisfaction do not diminish the significance and value of the Revolution; rather, they redouble the responsibilities for resolving them, and the causes of dissatisfaction must be eliminated.

✅ The people’s economic and living conditions have become extremely difficult, and serious measures must be devised to address them.

✅ The entire Iranian nation is one family that must continue along this path through unity, solidarity, patience, resilience, and a sense of responsibility, centered on the Leader of the Revolution and with hope for the future.

✅ Treating one another with affection and respect, exercising broad-mindedness and tolerance, and avoiding spiteful and malicious attitudes are the essential conditions for the survival of this family.

We are observing several occasions during these days. Tomorrow, the 20th of Jumada al-Thani, marks the birth anniversary of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (PBUH) and Women’s Day. It is also the birth anniversary of Imam Khomeini, and these days mark the anniversary of the victory of the Revolution. Furthermore, two days ago was the anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s return to this land, which was followed by the collapse of the monarchical regime. These occasions share a connection and affinity with one another.

Much can be said about the personality of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (PBUH), and we have discussed this subject on various occasions. It is no ordinary matter for a woman—chosen, of course, by the Divine Will—to attain the highest conceivable levels of human perfection. The fact that Almighty God presented a woman—the daughter of the Prophet (PBUH) and the foremost woman of all ages—as a role model for humanity makes her birth anniversary the most fitting occasion to be designated as Women’s Day.

In other countries, a particular day may also be designated as Women’s Day on various occasions. There may be an international day or a symbolic day intended to draw attention to women, the fulfillment of their rights, and recognition of their status. However, designating the birth anniversary of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (PBUH) as Women’s Day conveys a profoundly important message: this personality represents the pinnacle of a woman’s aspirations and the ultimate goal she may envision for herself. Indeed, I wish to state that if this day is carefully analyzed and the lady to whom this day belongs is properly understood, then women have truly been accorded dignity in the fullest sense of the word. Naming such a day Women’s Day means that gender imposes no limitation on a woman’s advancement and attainment of human perfection. The efforts of many countries and those who claim to champion and defend women’s rights—and who believe they are accomplishing great things—are limited to freeing women from certain restrictions arising from gender. Ultimately, what rights do they seek to secure? I do not deny that, in various societies, certain unjust restrictions may have been imposed upon women and that addressing them may, in itself, be necessary.

However, beyond a number of secondary rights—which are also important—we must show women a status, and expect of them a standing, that represents the highest level of human perfection. This means saying: “O woman, you face no limitation in attaining any human virtue, in allowing your humanity to flourish, or in reaching the summit of humanity. You face no limitation, and in this respect, there is no difference between you and a man.” This is the most important point in this matter: a woman can be a scholar in the true sense of the word, participate in society, remain modest and chaste, be a mother, serve the people, become a source of support for the afflicted, the destitute, and the oppressed, be sensitive to social and political affairs, and be concerned about her people’s culture and the problems of her society, while preserving those attributes and responsibilities that pertain to women and, at the same time, engaging in all those other fields and spheres.

Therefore, the first point I wish to make is that designating such a day conveys an important message. The important message of Women’s Day, celebrated on the birth anniversary of this unique and incomparable lady, is that human perfection and the summits of humanity recognize no boundary or limitation called gender. This is the greatest capacity possessed by a Muslim human being and a Muslim woman. By placing this woman in the care of the Prophet (PBUH) and within the Prophet’s household, Almighty God intended to make women understand that no one should imagine that, simply because she is a woman, a woman has a ceiling on her growth and advancement or is inherently limited. This is the fairest, most progressive, and most comprehensive perspective on women. If we present this perspective properly, I do not believe that any school of thought or theorist will be able to rival it.

These days also mark the birth anniversary of Imam Khomeini, his return to Iran, and, ultimately, the victory of the Revolution. On various occasions and in numerous speeches, Imam Khomeini expressed his devotion to this personality and noble lady. Imam Khomeini used remarkably exalted expressions in reference to Fatimah al-Zahra (PBUH)—profoundly significant expressions that some gentlemen might not even be able to utter. Such was Imam Khomeini’s devotion to this personality and noble lady, and he himself was one of her descendants. We can say with certainty that Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (PBUH) was a role model for Imam Khomeini. He was nurtured in this school; through self-purification and spiritual refinement, he strove to reach these summits of human perfection.

What mattered to Imam Khomeini was religion, the people, the dignity of Islam and Muslims, and the defeat of the enemies of religion and the people. This was Imam Khomeini’s lifelong aspiration, and he devoted his life to this path. We can truly say that he did not launch the Revolution out of caprice, ambition for office and power, or a desire to rule over the people. From the outset, he would say to the scholars and prominent figures, “You step forward, and I will follow behind you.” He sought to entrust this standard to others. When the late Ayatullah Hakim was in Najaf—as recorded in their discussions, the text of which has also been published—Imam Khomeini told him, “You rise up. Let the prominent figures rise against oppression, injustice, and this desecration of Islam.” Ayatullah Hakim replied, “No one will support us.” Imam Khomeini said, “You begin the movement, and I will be the first to follow you.” He made similar statements to the late Ayatullah Borujerdi. In other words, what primarily mattered was that the banner of Islam’s dignity be raised, not that he himself should be the one to raise it. What mattered was that this banner be raised, because Islam and the Muslim people were what mattered to him: that Muslims should attain dignity, that Islam should be honored, and that the people’s problems should be resolved. He pursued this objective throughout his life, and the Islamic Revolution of Iran took shape through the people’s solidarity and unity.

Today marks the 42nd anniversary of the victory of the Revolution. Over the past 41 years, we have experienced many ups and downs. Some of you may not remember all the events and issues, but from before the Revolution until today, we have gone through many periods of progress and decline. Our society and our people have endured hardships and difficulties, and they continue to do so today. At the same time, great achievements have also been made. There have been strengths on the one hand and weaknesses on the other.

If we wish to make an overall assessment from a broad perspective, setting aside matters that can each be independently criticized, analyzed, and examined, the Islamic Revolution of Iran provided the nation with immense assets: self-belief, confidence, dignity, and independence. These are achievements whose fruits have become evident in many fields. I do not intend to enumerate them one by one, but the groundwork was laid for scientific, military, and defense-related progress, as well as for talents to emerge and flourish, although there have sometimes been obstacles as well.

After all these years, although there are numerous problems, although the people are under economic pressure, although discrimination causes them suffering, although certain matters are not being pursued as they should be, and although the process is not proceeding along its proper course—all of which is true, and I do not intend to defend everything—a family that has embarked upon a journey with a particular goal and has a bright prospect ahead must proceed hand in hand, under unified leadership, while avoiding disputes and the intrusion of personal likes and dislikes, until it reaches that goal. The entire Iranian nation is one family. Every member of this family must play a role in this movement, and that role must be genuine rather than merely symbolic. The leadership of this movement, in accordance with the principles of the Revolution and the law, rests upon the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist. Everyone must work together, refrain from allowing personal motives and desires to interfere, cooperate with and assist one another, and think solely of the bright and honorable future of the Iranian nation and Iran as a prominent member of the Islamic Ummah, dedicating their energy to this path. This requires unity and solidarity. It requires recognition of the enemy, insight, and vigilance. All these are essential.

If we have chosen this objective, and if we wish to preserve Islamic and Iranian dignity, everyone must join hands, strive, work, and endeavor to reduce these weaknesses progressively. Some weaknesses are genuinely indefensible. The people’s current economic and living conditions are indefensible. The people face so many problems that sometimes one has nothing to say and no answer to offer. Nevertheless, we must remain hopeful and use past experiences as the foundation for the path ahead. We must benefit from those experiences, become more forbearing and broad-minded, tolerate one another, and treat each other with affection. Spiteful, hostile, and malicious attitudes are all obstacles to this movement.

There is so much work to be done and there are so many problems that, even if everyone rolls up their sleeves and becomes involved, there will still be insufficient time and manpower. Of course, we must remain vigilant against exploitation, waste, corruption, and discrimination, because these distance the nation, subject the people to pain and suffering, and turn hope into despair. Therefore, every person has a position and standing from which they must strive, according to their own capacity, to fulfill the duty and responsibility they bear at this juncture.

I have repeatedly said that, God forbid, even if 70 percent of people make mistakes, or 99 percent go astray, the matter for which I will be held accountable is this: “Why did you go astray?” Others did not perform their prayers—but why did you not pray? Others engaged in exploitation—but why did you? Others lied—but why did you lie? They must answer for their own actions. Others violated people’s rights—but why did you do so? To say, “Everyone else did it, so I did it too,” is not a valid answer. Every person is accountable for their own motives and actions. We must be concerned about the conduct and positions of others—which naturally may cause distress—but this must never cause us to leave the proper track and path upon which we are required to proceed. If we fulfill all our responsibilities during this period, we can then hold our heads high and say that we did everything we could. In periods when Islam, Muslims, and Shi‘ism were under severe siege and threat, and not even one scholar would raise the banner of uprising and action, if a scholar rose against the oppression and injustice of that era, he fulfilled his duty, even if he did not ultimately achieve the desired result. He fulfilled his obligation, while those who failed to fulfill theirs will be held accountable. We must therefore fulfill our own responsibilities. May everyone strive, according to their own judgment and duty, and, God willing, play the role they are required to play in this era.