He expressed satisfaction at meeting what he described as “dedicated and active servants of the seminary,” noting that during significant religious occasions such as the holy month of Ramadan and the months of Muharram and Safar, clerics travel to cities and villages to familiarize people with divine teachings.
Divine Mission, Not Personal Recognition
Ayatollah Karimi Jahromi stressed that the highest motivation for a preacher must be fulfilling a divine mandate rather than seeking fame or public recognition.
Citing Verse 39 of Surah Al-Ahzab in the Quran — “Those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allah; and sufficient is Allah as a Reckoner” — he said fear of God and vigilance over sincerity form the essence of genuine religious outreach.
“A preacher must see his responsibility first and foremost before God, not merely before the audience,” he underlined.
Self-Reform Before Public Oratory
The senior cleric warned against reducing religious propagation to polished rhetoric. “The objective is not beautifying the pulpit, but purifying the soul,” he said, adding that reforming one’s character and intentions takes precedence over refined speech.
According to him, people are not transformed by rapid-fire speeches or decorative language. Rather, they are guided by observing the preacher’s conduct, ethics, humility, and sincerity.
“God’s message is transmitted not only through microphones and pulpits, but through action, respect for people, and moral discipline,” he stated.
Respecting People’s Time and Awareness
Ayatollah Karimi Jahromi cautioned against wasting people’s time with superficial or unsubstantiated content, describing both the people and their time as divine trusts.
He expressed concern over what he called insufficient awareness among some youth regarding fundamental beliefs and primary religious knowledge, urging missionaries to ground their guidance firmly in Qur’anic verses and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT).
He also encouraged reliance on classical sources such as Nahj al-Balagha in shaping methods of dialogue and guidance.
Sincerity Brings Divine Support
Referring to a well-known statement attributed to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH) — “When Allah saw our sincerity, He sent down humiliation upon our enemies and granted us victory” — the cleric stressed that divine assistance is contingent upon truthful intention.
“If sincerity is realized,” he said, “God’s support will inevitably accompany the preacher.”
He explained that when God witnesses genuine devotion — when a preacher entrusts his heart entirely to Him and acts solely for His sake — two outcomes follow: divine victory and the humiliation of falsehood.
Warning Against Three Destructive Acts
The seminary professor advised students and missionaries to fear God and avoid three destructive behaviors:
- Speaking without knowledge or certainty.
- Damaging the reputation and honor of others.
- Neglecting people’s needs and concerns.
Humility Toward the People
Describing the public as “children of the faith” and “beloved of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance),” Ayatollah Karimi Jahromi said that humility in dealing with people is the primary path to drawing closer to the awaited savior.
He urged clerics to demonstrate modesty, compassion, and active concern for the needs of believers, stressing that service to the people is inseparable from service to religion.
“Closeness to Imam Mahdi,” he concluded, “is achieved through humility toward God’s servants and sincere efforts to address their needs.”
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