Salaam dear young friends. How are you today, hope you are all fine by the Grace of Almighty Allah.
First of all, we would like to offer our condolences for the demise of Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Saafi Golpayegani who passed away in the holy city of Qom at the age of 103. He was regarded as one of the pillars in the field of explaining and promoting Islamic Jurisprudence and a great master in mysticism and practical ethics.
A prolific writer and a source of knowledge in Islamic teachings, the Grand Ayatollah had written scores of books in different fields, and had also trained hundreds of students.
Well friends, as you all know, we would like to congratulate you all on the eve of the Ten-Day-Dawn that this year marks the 43rd anniversary of the resounding triumph of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
This means that those who were during these memorable days in 1979 when Iran freed itself from domestic despotism and foreign hegemony, thanks to the astute leadership of the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA) are completing 42 years and stepping into the 43rd year.
Long life to them; long life to the Islamic Revolution; long life to those who participated in its victory (even as toddlers in their prams during the mass protests); long to all of you youngsters blessed with the Basiji spirit to defend the ideals of Iran’s grassroots movement that is today inspiring people throughout our region against the devilish powers aligned to the Great Satan (the US).
As long as we adhere to the commandments of the One and Only Creator Who sent Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) with the universal mission of Islam to guide all humanity, and the Prophet in turn proclaimed 12 Infallible Successors – the first being the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS) and the last being the Awaited Saviour of mankind, Imam Mahdi (AS) – the Islamic Republic will remain invincible.
Well friends, tomorrow is expected to be the first day of the blessed month of Rajab, the first of the four sacred months. Its first day happens to be a very blessed occasion. It is the birthday of the Splitter and Spreader of Sciences, or to be more precise, Imam Muhammad al-Baqer al-Uloum (AS), the 5th Infallible Heir of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).
A famous statement of the Prophet reads: “Rajab is the great month of Allah. No other month equals it in sanctity and merit. During this month fighting against the infidels is prohibited. Indeed Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha’ban is my month, and Ramadhan is the month of my ummah. Surely, whoever fasts a day of Rajab secures Allah’s greatest pleasure, distances himself from the wrath of Allah, and one of the gates of hell is shut closed for him.”
As for his great-great-grandson, who was born in Medina on the first of this month in the year 57 AH – 46 years after his passing away – the Prophet has given us the tidings through his trusted companion, Jaber ibn Abdullah al-Ansari: “It will happen that you will live until you meet one of my children descended from (Imam) Husain (AS), called Muhammad (AS), who will split wide open Sciences (Baqer al-Uloum) of religion. When you meet him, convey my greeting to him.”
Rajab is a golden opportunity for believers to avail of the special bounties that the All-Merciful has reserved for those who strive to achieve them. Tomorrow, Thursday, is one such occasion that should inspire you youngsters. So don’t miss it. For your information it is the “Laylat ar-Ragha’eb” which occurs on the first Friday Eve of Rajab.
It could be translated into English as the “Night of Desirability”. The word “Desirability” here means the display of the innate desires of dedicated and pious Muslims for attaining the proximity of the Lord Most High. And this is possible only through acts of virtue.
Goodbye and God bless you all.