The Elements of Strength

The Element of Strength

Strategic work or Jihad is built upon the accumulation and the activation of some elements of strength. Sayyed al-Khamenei lists the following elements:

Being Connected to Almighty Allah

Being connected to Allah is the most basic element; nothing would replace such a connection. Almighty Allah says in Surah al-Rum (Byzantium), verse 37:
{…and it was a must for Us to help the faithful.}

As the verse declares: victory depends on faith.

“All of the capacities of the purest believers backed by the natural and logical laws of victory will be supporting you as long as you are faithful, pious and doing the right deeds. Take care of your spiritual side, supplicate to Almighty Allah, let your hearts be attached to Allah, consider the acceptance of Allah as the utmost goal of your life, don’t be cheated by appearances, life’s charming or attractions; it is only in this way that the group of the few people will be identified and be truly the manifest of the verse {How many a small party has overcome a larger party by Allah’s will!}1 So if we want to reserve the revolution in its confrontation against its enemies, we need a lasting Divine power- a power that is originated from the absolute faithfulness. This must be a basic concept to the military troops. Once the issues related to humanity, faith, values and good traits are available; their effects will be shown immediately. These effects are unusual! Moreover, they are critical in a way that they could determine the fate of the conflict! Imam Ruhu Allah al-Musawi al-Khomeini said: the skeleton of the Revolutionary Guard is based on its youths’ revolutionary feeling and faith.

Moreover, Sayyed al-Khamenei puts emphasis on the requirement that man has to always develop in order to deepen his connection to Almighty Allah.

“Whenever one gets greater responsibilities or occupies a higher position, the deeper his faith has to become. By faith, I don’t mean the apparent features of faith or Islam, but rather the truthful belief. Whenever you are on the fighting fronts, you have to always keep in mind that such places are the most perfect spots where you may ever worship Almighty Allah. In the process of developing one's spiritual side, apparent deeds must not dominate the content; that’s why great concern must be paid to purifying and changing the internal side. Be constantly eager to purify yourselves from inside. Only by this way will you stop the enemies’ leakage into this revolutionary foundation.”

The Strength of the Islamic Path

Islam is the enlightened path; the greater the light we are seeing and the clearer the path we are taking, the more accurate and fruitful the deeds we are doing will be!

“Thanks to Islam that has made your enemies cautious when it comes to considering you. But don’t ever think that what we’ve already done will be lasting; actually we have to make our own efforts to keep all achievements well- reserved!”

The Revolutionary Sense

True Islam reflects the revolution that does not accept any humility or surrender to oppression. It is the revolution that is taught by the Lord of Martyrs Imam Abu Abed Allah al-Hussein, peace be upon him and his martyred companions. It is the revolution that refuses oppression and confronts challenges no matter how costly the price is- all that really matters is accomplishing Almighty Allah’s satisfaction and acceptance and achieving the general Islamic interests through fulfilling the obligatory deeds.

“What is the reason that has backed up our victories and developments? It is the sacrifice that originated from the commitment to the revolutionary religion- not the religion that is spiritually vacuumed- but rather based on the Quran. The spirit of sacrifice is the spirit that leads you to excellence as the verse mentioned earlier indicates: {How many a small party has overcome a larger party by Allah’s will!}”

Being Committed to the Guardianship (Al Wilayah)

The Guardianship of the Jurist Guardian (Al Wali Al Faqih) in the time of the occultation of Imam al-Mahdi al-Montathar, may Allah grant him good health and expedite his arrival as soon as possible. This guardianship manages the affairs of the Muslims and identifies their interests so that the entire Ummah goes on and develops in one identified direction. Thank Allah, this has been truly achieved!

“Had not the Revolutionary Guard been guided and constantly observed by the Jurist Guardian, this body would have been subjected to a great extent to the enemies’ leak and domination to divert it from its path.”

Accordingly, the Mujahideen have to have a strong and special connection with the Jurist Guardian since he is the leader who can guarantee the continuity of this path and its reservation from being diverted or getting lost.

“The issue of the Jurist Guardian is the blood of the Revolutionary Guard. This relation should be reflected in reality as well as the practical life of this body.”

The Spirit of Fulfilling the Obliged Deeds

Fulfilling the obliged deeds wherever a Muslim is, works or studies or lives will certainly lead him to a great victory and spare him from getting trapped in situations like vibration or hesitation- his path will be as clear as seeing one of the two excellences (ihda al Husnayayan!): victory or martyrdom!

“Should a man follow the Sharia’ and fulfill the obligatory deeds, he will certainly achieve a victory!”

The identity of a man and his Jihad is well determined only through following the Sharia’.

“The advice that I state for myself, first, and you my dear whatever posts you occupy is that the second step that follows the belief in Allah is knowing His canons and principles so that to respect and reserve them, and above all, not transgress any of them: {and whoever transgresses the bounds of Allah- it is they who are the wrongdoers}2. Thus, none is allowed to transgress any of the bounds of Allah. Islam has obviously illustrated these bounds. And the one who follows them will certainly stay victorious and full of pride!”

The Potential Capacities

“Any military foundations must make the utmost benefit of all of the human and potential “Among the members of the Revolutionary Guard, there are amazing and various capacities and potentialities; such human jewelries must be activated to be serving the ultimate values of the revolution.”

Self-Sufficiency

To be in need of the others is generally and universally considered as a deficiency and a weakness, speaking especially at the military and strategic level.

“The greatest crisis is when the supplies of a certain military foundation must be provided by external sides- however, the real glory lies in independence! Keep the trend of your self-sufficiency and independence heading upward. I really accuse everyone who says that such an aim is impossible. Nothing is impossible. Every human being has amazing capacities.”

Such an aim requires great effort. But it really deserves it.

Reserving the High-Esteem

A human being is a man with two dimensions: a body and a soul. Thus, he is supposed to get physically and spiritually satisfied in a way that he activates his powerful elements and empowers his weaknesses. He has to keep his self-esteem high for it nourishes his powerful elements.

“A human being has the potential to change and react. And due to the daily affairs, his spiritual aspects might be subjected to the change, too; thus, he must keep observing his overall aspects so that he prevents any decline or destruction.”

Despair or doubt is the most dangerous spiritual disease that may cause harmful effects- none the least: becoming ineffective.

“Prevent the leakage of the states of despair and doubt into the military body of the Revolutionary Guard. Fight these diseases before taking place.”