Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at a meeting with the board of directors of Bushehr province’s universities on the occasion of the third decade of the Month of Safar, Safaei Bushehri underlined that although diplomacy is usually considered the least costly way to resolve issues, history has proven that dialogue with an unfaithful enemy often ends in damage and loss.
Historical Lessons
Citing examples from early Islamic history, the Friday Prayer Leader noted: “In the Battle of Siffin, when the army of Imam Ali (AS) was on the verge of victory, the enemy halted the war by raising the Quran on spears and forcing negotiations. Their aim was not to resolve the issue but to save themselves, which ultimately inflicted a heavy blow on Islam.”
He added that Imam Hassan (AS) also experienced betrayal in negotiations with Muawiyah, who signed a treaty but later openly disregarded its terms. “This showed that trusting a side that does not adhere to religious values is a grave mistake,” he stressed.
Imam Hussein’s Choice
According to Safaei Bushehri, Imam Hussein (AS), considering these precedents, realized that the Umayyads sought only to consolidate power, not to resolve conflict. “For this reason, he chose the highest form of resistance—jihad and sacrifice—through which he revived pure Islam and prevented its distortion,” he said.
He emphasized that although the Karbala incident appeared as a military defeat, in reality it was a historic victory that ensured the survival of true Islam. “Ashura teaches us that negotiations with a deceitful front will only lead to losses. The path to victory is resistance and steadfastness on principles,” he noted.
Lessons for Today
The representative of the Supreme Leader underlined that this lesson is vital for the Islamic world today. “The Islamic Republic of Iran, under the guidance of the Supreme Leader, engages in negotiations only as a tool for managing global interactions, not as a reliance on the other side. The real path forward is strengthening national power in all dimensions,” he said.
He described power as having both soft and hard aspects, explaining: “Soft power comes from science, technology, national unity, social cohesion, people’s satisfaction, and an efficient administrative system, while hard power lies in a strong deterrent military capability.”
Pointing to the role of universities and seminaries, Safaei Bushehri concluded: “These institutions are the backbone of power as they produce knowledge, technology, and capable human resources. Without them, achieving influence in global political geography is impossible. As the Holy Quran says: ‘And prepare for them whatever strength you can muster so that you may deter the enemy.’”
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