Praise God, the Almighty and Wise, for once again having made the blessed month of Dhu al-Hijjah a meeting place for the Muslim nations and for having made this path of His grace and mercy available to them. The Islamic nation can once again observe its unity and harmony in this clear, timeless mirror, and [take this opportunity to] turn away from factors that lead to disunity and division.

One of the basic principles of Hajj that both Hajj pilgrims and those who serve them should pay attention to is the importance of this congregation (Hajj) in the Islamic system and what is the importance of the acts of worship that the pilgrims perform. The importance of Hajj must be well perceived.

The unity of the Muslim Ummah is one of the two basic foundations of the Hajj Pilgrimage. When combined with spirituality and the remembrance of God (dhikr), which comprises the other basic foundation of this religious duty that is so full of secrets, they can lead the Islamic Ummah to the heights of honor and bliss.

Islamic awakening is the first reason that the elites and much of the general population in Islamic countries are now aware of the great wealth of their religious understanding and spiritual heritage, and its significance and value. Today, liberalism and communism, the most significant contributions of Western civilization, no longer have the same appeal they did 100 or 50 years ago. The credibility of capital-driven Western democracy is being seriously questioned, and Western thinkers admit they are at a theoretical and practical loss. By observing this situation, young people, intellectuals, scientists, and religious scholars within the world of Islam are able to gain new perspectives on the wealth and value of their own knowledge, as well as on the mainstream political currents in their own countries. This is the “Islamic Awakening” that we continually refer to.

There are many verses in the Holy Qur’an about Hajj, and each of them specifies a particular point. But there are two verses that refer to the benefits of Hajj. One of them is this noble verse of Surah Ma’ida, which says: “جَعَلَ اللهُ الکَعبَةَ البَیتَ الحَرامَ قیامًا لِلنّاس” (Allah has made the Ka‘bah, the Sacred House, a (means of) sustentation for mankind; 5: 97) This means, if the absence of Hajj the Islamic Ummah would have collapsed.

The other verse says: “وَ اَذِّن فِی النّاسِ بِالحَجِّ یَأتوکَ رِجالاً وَ عَلی کُلِّ ضامِرٍ یَأتینَ مِن کُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمیقٍ لِیَشهَدوا مَنافِعَ لَهُم” (And proclaim the Hajj to all the people: they will come to you on foot and on lean camels, coming from distant places, that they may witness the benefits for them…; Surah Al-Hajj: 27 and 28). (The verse specifies that the Islamic Ummah should come from all corners of the world for Hajj, to see their interests with their own eyes and to contemplate on them.

It has been narrated that Imam Sadiq (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked if these benefits mean the benefits of the hereafter, that is, divine reward and the like. And the Imam (AS) replied that it includes both worldly and otherworldly rewards.

The Islamic Ummah receives benefits in Hajj that cannot be compared with any other factor. That means such benefits cannot be achieved except through the congregation of Hajj. It is possible only with this universal get-together. Well, one of the worldly benefits of Hajj is the improvement of the level of civilization in the Islamic world, because of the existing understanding and coordination. There are some things that are very apparent, but there are also some things that remain hidden from human eyes and one of them is this case.

The afterlife benefits of Hajj are heart-related and include establishing closeness to and strengthening one’s relationship with the Almighty God, instilling sincerity in action; cleansing the heart from everything that is contrary to the remembrance of God. These are the things that must happen in Hajj. This Ihram, this Tawaf, this prayer, this Sa’y, this Arafat, this Mash’ar, the rituals in Mina, etc.; all of them are enlightening gates towards the world of spirituality and the unseen world.

A fundamentally important point about Hajj is that Islam practically shows that it does not approve of these distinctions that exist in the world and in different countries; such as racial discrimination, geographic discrimination, and class discrimination. This is a very important point to note.

Islamic self-awareness has created an astounding, miraculous phenomenon in the very heart of the Islamic world, and this poses serious problems for the Arrogant Powers. The name of this phenomenon is “Resistance,” and its reality is manifested in the power of faith, struggling on the path of God, and relying on Him.

The world is currently witness to a successful and proud model of power and political Islamic governance in Islamic Iran. The stability, independence, progress, and honor of the Islamic Republic is a great meaningful phenomenon that can attract the thoughts and feelings of every conscious Muslim. The inabilities and at times mistaken actions of the officials of this system —mistakes which have postponed the attainment of all the blessings of Islamic governance — have never been able to shake the solid foundations or to stop the firm steps that have been taken in the path of the material and spiritual progress [of the Islamic Republic], as these are inspired by the basic principles of this system.

The situation in Palestine is one of the manifestations of this amazing phenomenon that has been able to bring down the rebellious Zionist regime from its state of aggression and howling to a defensive, passive stance and impose on it the current, obvious array of political, security, and economic problems. Other brilliant examples of Islamic Resistance can be clearly seen in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and some other places.

Our venerable Imam stressed, and following in his footsteps, I also emphasize that you should definitely participate in the prayers of Masjid al-Haram - the prayers of the Sunnis - participate in gatherings, talk to other pilgrims, and be in touch with them. Yes, there is opposition to such things, we know that. There are obstacles, but the person who obstructs is a human being, you are also human being and you can have conversations.

One of the honors of the Islamic Republic (of Iran) is to have these capacities recognized.

May God Almighty accept the Hajj of all pilgrims from all over the world and grant them success, honor, and respect.