Hawzah News Agency- The remarks, published on Monday, come amid heightened regional tensions and the ongoing development of Iran's indigenous defense capabilities, including advanced drone and missile technology.
Two Pillars of a Capable Military
Citing Quranic injunctions from the chapter Al-Anfal (8:60)—"And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war"—the senior Shia Marja and renowned exegete of the Quran emphasized that a capable military rests on two essential pillars: a tested, faithful human force, and state-of-the-art military hardware.
"The Wise God deems a military powerful when it possesses two foundational pillars: experienced human forces with sound thought, firm faith, and strong arms; alongside modern, up-to-date military equipment," Ayatollah Javadi Amoli stated, as cited in his exegesis Tasnim.
He clarified that the Quranic reference to "Ribat al-Khayl" (the tying of warhorses) is not a literal command to raise cavalry, but a timeless principle mandating the maintenance of military bases equipped with the most advanced arsenal of the era.
"This includes fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft, bombers, submarines, various naval vessels, armored vehicles, and all types of missiles, drones, and modern light and heavy weaponry," the Ayatollah noted, drawing a parallel to the use of the Manjaniq (trebuchet), the most advanced artillery of its time, during the Battle of Khaybar.
The Red Line: Deterrence, Not Transgression
Crucially, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli drew a clear boundary for the mission of such a force. He underscored that the objective of military preparation is purely defensive and deterrent in nature, designed to secure the Islamic homeland against foreign incursion.
"The mission of the armed forces is precisely the defense of the Islamic government, the support of the entity of Islam and Muslims, and the instilling of awe in the hearts of the enemies of God and the believers," he said, quoting the remainder of the verse: "By this means you will terrify the enemy of God and your enemy."
The Ayatollah's interpretation firmly establishes that the threshold of Muslim preparedness—both in manpower and equipment—ends where the security of the nation begins. The goal is to make the enemy "fearful" so that the thought of aggression against an Islamic country never materializes.
Aligning Doctrine with Indigenous Capability
The statements from the Qom seminary align closely with the official defense doctrine of the Islamic Republic, which consistently emphasizes that its military advancements, particularly in the missile and drone sectors, serve solely as a deterrent against foreign intervention by the United States and the Israeli regime. Ayatollah Javadi Amoli's exegesis provides a deep scriptural and jurisprudential foundation for this stance, rejecting any notion of offensive militarism or expansionism in Islamic governance.
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