Hawzah News Agency- In an extensive and revealing interview with Al-Alam television network, Sayyid al-Hakim reflected on the political life, defining characteristics, and transformative impact of the martyred Imam on both Iran and the wider world. Speaking on the occasion of the historic funeral processions across the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf, he offered a deeply personal and strategic account of the Leader's legacy.
A Comprehensive and All-Encompassing Personality
Sayyid al-Hakim stressed the unparalleled comprehensiveness of the martyred Imam's character. "While the political dimension was certainly a prominent facet of his personality, he possessed a comprehensive, all-encompassing character that embraced diverse dimensions—scientific, intellectual, social, cultural, security-related, and much more," he stated.
He underscored that what stood out most was the martyred Leader's principled approach and unshakable foundational constants. "His principled approach was the extension of the school of thought of Imam Khomeini (RA). These fixed principles and constants remained unchanged throughout more than three decades of his leadership over the Islamic Ummah," al-Hakim said. "Even in private gatherings that brought us and many other leaders of the Islamic world together with him, we would always return to these fundamental principles. They were consistently recalled and reaffirmed."
He continued: "In his public addresses aimed at enlightening public opinion, we would always see him emphasizing these fixed principles grounded in Islamic foundations and Quranic verses, and then, based on changing political circumstances, making the necessary adaptations. The fusion of unshakeable principles with flexible application suited to conditions was one of the most outstanding features of Imam Khamenei's political personality."
Inside the Private Meetings with the Martyred Leader
Recounting his private audiences with the martyred Leader, Sayyid al-Hakim revealed: "The truth is, we had numerous private meetings with him. Some were lengthy, lasting an hour and a half or more. These sessions were rich with discussion and consultation on various issues and affairs."
He continued: "The memories are countless, but what is fitting for this occasion is Imam Khamenei's profound dedication to Iraq. I have personally not encountered, among any senior officials in the Islamic Republic, including those tasked with Iraqi affairs, the depth of vision and understanding I found in Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei."
A Special Devotion to Iraq and Deep Grasp of Its Complexities
Sayyid al-Hakim elaborated on the Leader's exceptional attention to Iraq. "He placed great importance on directing Iran's foreign policy towards Iraq. From this perspective, and given that he lived briefly in Najaf at the beginning of his scholarly path, and was later tasked by Imam Khomeini with the Iraq file during his presidential years, he was intimately familiar with the complexities of the Iraqi scene. He grasped its details in an astonishing manner, and his observations in this regard were immensely valuable."
He added: "He would always advise that Iraq's unique characteristics be taken into consideration—that Iraq is an Arab country, the majority of its citizens are Arabs with their own customs and traditions. His dedication meant constant engagement with Iraqi leaders at a level and intensity I do not believe existed for leaders of any other country."
Unwavering Support for Iraq's Sovereignty and Political Process
Sayyid al-Hakim highlighted the Islamic Republic's principled support for Iraq even when it appeared to contradict immediate political calculations. "You know, the United States toppled Saddam's regime and formally occupied Iraq under the cover of resolutions and legal pretexts, forming a Governing Council under those conditions. It is natural that the Islamic Republic's policy stands in opposition to the United States. Yet, the Islamic Republic was the first country to recognize that Governing Council, which marked the beginning of an Iraqi political system rooted in the will of the Iraqi people. This has remained consistent under all circumstances."
He explained the significance: "Recognizing the Governing Council under American occupation was, in a sense, an effort to help Iraqis strengthen their independence and empower them in their own country—to place Iraq on the path to sovereignty. The Islamic Republic supported this process from the very beginning."
Sayyid al-Hakim further revealed that his late father, Sayyid Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, had from the outset called for direct dialogue between the United States and Iran concerning Iraq. Despite the Islamic Republic's clear and principled stance on dialogue, the martyred Leader, responding publicly to the Iraqi request during a speech in holy Mashhad just days later, declared his agreement to initiate talks. "This led to the first trilateral face-to-face dialogue sessions between America, Iran, and Iraq in Baghdad, aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring that the dispute between Iran and America would have no negative repercussions on the Iraqi arena."
Standing with Iraq in Its Darkest Hour Against Daesh
Sayyid al-Hakim spoke at length about Iran's decisive role in confronting the Daesh terrorist onslaught. "When Daesh attacked Iraq and the world stood in stunned silence, at the very moment the army and armed forces suffered collapse and no country would come to Iraq's aid, it was the Islamic Republic of Iran, by the command of Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei, that dispatched the commander of the field, Martyr Hajj Qassem Soleimani, to the scene. He provided complete support to all the people of Iraq across all regions, drawing on the experience he possessed."
He added: "In this same context, His Eminence Ayatollah Sistani issued the fatwa of defensive jihad, and hundreds of thousands of youths mobilized. Who could organize these individuals, and how would they be deployed in combat operations against Daesh? This required a high level of expertise that Iraq, under those circumstances, simply did not possess. It was here that the Islamic Republic, Martyr Soleimani, and his team stood with all their might, offering help. They even opened the strategic depots of the Iranian army and armed forces, transferring weapons on a massive scale to assist the Iraqis in confronting Daesh."
He then recounted a deeply moving testimony from the Leader: "His Eminence once told me—and he invoked God's name—'Sayyid Ammar, God knows, if someone were to tell me that doing such-and-such would elevate Iraq's stature by a hundred degrees, and it were within my power, I would not hesitate for a moment to do it so that Iraq's standing rises a hundred degrees above what it is. We want Iraq to be mighty, we want it strong, we want it effective and influential.' This was his vision. His approach was to see Iraq powerful and dignified, and he strove to achieve this."
The Two Blessings Iraqis Must Cherish
Sayyid al-Hakim disclosed the two blessings the martyred Leader consistently urged Iraqi leaders to safeguard. "Every time Iraqi leaders met with him over the years, he would tell them: You have two blessings in Iraq, and you must appreciate them. The first is the Marjaiyyah of Ayatollah Sistani. This is a great blessing from God. Learn from a personality of such knowledge, depth, and insight. He would say that if my opinion differs from the opinion of Ayatollah Sistani, prioritize his opinion over mine in Iraqi society."
He continued: "Whenever he was asked about an issue concerning Iraq, the first thing he would ask was: 'What is the opinion of Ayatollah Sistani on this matter?' to ensure that any view he might offer would not contradict that of Ayatollah Sistani."
"The second blessing," Sayyid al-Hakim stated, "was the Hashd al-Shabi. He emphasized that the Hashd al-Shabi organization was born from the fatwa of Ayatollah Sistani, and that these sincere, believing youth took to the field, fought Daesh, and confronted it. His Eminence considered the Marjaiyyah and the Hashd al-Shabi as two fundamental blessings that must be preserved and protected, and that Iraq's dignity resides in them."
National Interest Above All Else
Sayyid al-Hakim underscored the martyred Leader's insistence that Iraqis prioritize their own national interests. "On several occasions, when we asked His Eminence for his view on certain details, he would respond: 'You are Iraqis, and you must prioritize the interest of your country. Look to the interest of your nation, evaluate and study it, and see what serves your country's interest. Even if your assessment differs from the view of your brothers in the Islamic Republic of Iran, prioritize your country's interest.'"
He added: "His Eminence would point out to the brothers in charge that, in the event of conflicting interests, the Islamic Republic might not support you on that specific aspect due to its differing interests, but it would continue to support you on the overall path and would always desire Iraq to be mighty. To this extent, His Eminence demonstrated flexibility and a realistic approach in respecting and reinforcing Iraq's unique characteristics."
The Profound Messages of the Funeral Processions in Iraq
On the significance of the Leader's body being brought to Karbala and Najaf, Sayyid al-Hakim remarked: "I do not believe the pure body of His Eminence is being transferred to Iraq for burial as the leader of a country in another country. Rather, his body is being brought as a Marja, a supreme religious authority of the Muslims."
He explained: "Therefore, the arrival of this pure body to pay homage at the shrines of the Imams (Peace Be Upon Them) as a prelude to burial in holy Mashhad, beside Imam Reza (Peace Be Upon Him), represents, from one perspective, the conduct of Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei, his loyalty to the Ahl al-Bayt, and his lifelong wish. We heard him repeatedly express his desire to visit the Imams, but circumstances never permitted it. What was not realized during his life is now being fulfilled after his martyrdom and before his burial."
He added: "But there is another dimension to this funeral, connected to shared cultural, religious, and social bonds across the vast sweep of history. There is no doubt that all these messages are present in the heart of such a funeral. We know that the Iraqi people spontaneously reacted after the martyrdom of Imam Khamenei. People, tribes, and hundreds of thousands poured into the streets for days on end without anyone calling them, donning black and holding thousands of mourning gatherings in large and small venues, in villages and cities alike. A tremendous sense of sympathy and solidarity was born. I believe this immense emotional bond will manifest itself in the funeral of the pure body of Imam Khamenei among the Iraqi people."
Fusing Revolutionary Idealism with Political Realism
Addressing how the martyred Leader balanced ideology with international and regional mechanisms over three decades of leadership, Sayyid al-Hakim stated: "In truth, it is the evolution between the jurisprudence of revolution and the jurisprudence of state. He saw the position of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution as distinct from the performance indicators of the president and the government, because the state has specific metrics, whereas the position of the Leader enjoys greater flexibility in revolutionary discourse and the affairs of the Ummah."
He added: "The cause of Palestine was clearly within the framework of the Islamic Republic's unwavering policy over the decades, extending the policy of Imam Khomeini. This was evident and unmistakable in His Eminence's approach. He safeguarded the revolutionary discourse, mobilized the nation, and infused it with spirit, optimism, and hope. This is the position of leadership at decisive junctures and turning points during the difficult circumstances facing the Islamic Republic or the region. We found in His Eminence the firmness that is the hallmark of true leadership. He possessed firmness coupled with wisdom and realism."
Regional and International Impact
Sayyid al-Hakim elaborated on the Leader's regional and global influence: "Firstly, Iran, with its size, weight, and capabilities, occupies the position of a continent. Secondly, the Islamic Republic's discourse and concerns have never been confined to its borders. They have extended beyond, encompassing the general affairs of Muslims and even oppressed non-Muslims."
He pointed to the Leader's hallmark of institution-building: "One of his defining characteristics from the very beginning of his leadership was the establishment of institutions over three decades. These institutions grew and became profoundly influential, achieving a significant presence in the Islamic world." He cited the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly, the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, Al-Mustafa International University, and the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization as prime examples.
The Ultimate Test: Institutional Fortitude Against the World's Greatest Military Power
Concluding with the martyred Leader's most enduring legacy, Sayyid al-Hakim declared: "He designed a methodology and a mighty current within the Islamic world. This current, believing in the values of the revolution, emerged across different regions, and he built the institutions. After the grace and success granted by God, had it not been for these institutional structures—sustained over three decades on the principle of 'Arise and place your trust in God'—the steadfastness and resilience in the face of the recent military aggression against the Islamic Republic would not have been achieved. The most powerful army in the world and the most powerful army in the region, along with many countries, stood on one side, and the Islamic Republic of Iran stood alone on the other."
He concluded: "That two hundred and fifty senior political and military figures from the first, second, and third ranks of the system were targeted, and yet the system stood firm, its readiness remained at the highest level, and its institutions continued to function—this is the greatest test and the ultimate seal of approval on the robust institutional structures that astonished observers across the globe. The martyred Imam built a system that does not depend on individuals; it rests on a foundation of faith, sacrifice, and institutions that will carry his legacy forward for generations to come."
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