Hawzah News Agency, the weekly ethics lecture of Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli was held on Wednesday morning, October 21, 2026, with various segments of the public in attendance at the Grand Mosque of Qom.
In this session, Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli elaborated on three fundamental principles emphasized by Imam Ali (peace be upon him)—freedom and liberty, honor and manliness, and bravery on the battlefield—and, referring to the current circumstances, stressed the need to pay attention to these teachings, particularly in safeguarding the security and dignity of society and supporting combatants.
Stating that Islam, in addition to beliefs and rulings, has numerous ethical principles—some of which have received more attention and others less elaboration—he said: In the illuminating words of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), special emphasis has been placed on certain ethical principles, including freedom and liberty, honor and manliness, and directives concerning bravery on the battlefield.
"Freedom and Liberty" Are Incompatible with Corruption, Embezzlement, and Price Gouging
In explaining the principle of freedom and liberty, Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli referred to the wise saying of Imam Ali (peace be upon him): "Is there no free man who would leave this morsel to its people? Indeed, your souls have no price except Paradise, so do not sell them for anything else."
Explaining the meaning of "lumaza" (morsel), he stated: Lumaza refers to the remnants of food left between the teeth. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) asks whether there is a free man who would leave this remnant to its people and not pursue it.
Applying this teaching to social life, he emphasized: A person must not pursue what has been passed around and consumed by others, nor build his life on the leftovers of others. The Imam says, "Who is a free man who would not search through the trash bin of the previous generation?" This corruption, abuse, and embezzlement is that very trash bin! A free human being must not resort to such behaviors to achieve material interests.
Referring to certain economic and social harms, including price gouging, embezzlement, and financial abuses, he noted: Freedom is incompatible with embezzlement, corruption, and price inflation. A person must earn his living through legitimate means and his own efforts, and must know that his existential worth is far greater than to sell himself to base and improper pursuits.
Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, emphasizing that the discussion of freedom and liberty is an independent chapter in Islamic ethics, reminded: Just as religious rulings and recommended acts each have their own place, freedom is also a fundamental issue that must be properly explained.
"Honor and Manliness" Mean Safeguarding One's Domain and Standing Against Aggression
Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, referring to narrations concerning honor and manliness, stated: In narrative sources, emphasis has been placed on the necessity of defending one's domain and confronting armed aggression; however, this portion of religious teachings has not received as much attention as some other topics.
Citing narrations from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) and Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) regarding one who enters a person's domain with the intent to assault his life and property, he said: In these narrations, emphasis is placed on defending against the aggressor. The Imam says, "If a thief enters my house intending to harm my life and property, kill him, and I call God and all who hear to witness." It is also stated, "Kill him, for whatever he does to you is upon him"—meaning if an armed stranger enters your home intending to harm your life and property, kill him; his blood is upon me. This is honor and manliness.
Referring to narrations transmitted from the infallible Imams (peace be upon them), he stated: In these narrations, the responsibility to defend against aggression and assault has been addressed with explicit language; therefore, the issue of honor and manliness is among the important topics of Islamic ethics that must be discussed further.
Referring to the bullying aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime against Iranian soil, he brought these teachings into serious consideration in relation to current conditions and stressed the necessity of safeguarding the country's domain and standing against the blatant aggression of these two.
Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, stating that honor means "de-alienation" and signifies not permitting strangers to enter one's domain and confronting aggression, noted: Just as much has been said about prayer, fasting, Hajj, and other religious rulings and recommended acts, it is necessary that teachings concerning honor and manliness also be explained further, because these narrations address one of the important issues of social life and man's responsibility in safeguarding his own and society's domain.
The Necessity of "Bravery" on the Battlefield and "Vigilance of Combatants" in Guarding the Borders
In the third axis of his remarks, Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli addressed Imam Ali's (peace be upon him) directives concerning combatants and the necessity of vigilance on the battlefield, and referring to Letter 11 of Nahj al-Balagha, considered this portion of Alawi teachings relevant to current conditions.
While expressing gratitude for the efforts and steadfastness of combatants present on the battlefield defending the country, he stated: These dear ones serving on the battlefield do so in conditions where the enemy may launch an attack at any moment; therefore, they must always be watchful, maintain their defensive readiness, and keep their fingers on the trigger. The reason we have repeatedly said "peace be upon them" about these individuals is: which companion would support his Imam in this manner?!
Referring to Imam Ali's (peace be upon him) advice to combatants in Letter 11 of Nahj al-Balagha, he cited the phrase: "And do not taste sleep except briefly or as a rinse"—the Imam advises combatants not to allow themselves sleep except in small amounts as necessary. Just as a fasting person may rinse water in his mouth but must not swallow it, a combatant on guard and protecting his position must avoid the sleep of negligence and always maintain his vigilance.
Emphasizing that this directive concerns the conditions of combatants' guarding and responsibility on the battlefield, he noted: A person cannot spend night and day without rest, and fatigue is natural; however, a combatant during his responsibility and guard duty must not take his finger off the trigger and must be careful that sleep and negligence do not overcome him. In such conditions, rest must be such that the necessary readiness and vigilance for defense are not lost.
Following the Example of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him): Fighting Idolatry and Standing Against the Enemy
In another part of his remarks, Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli referred to the noble verse "And follow the religion of Abraham" and emphasized the necessity of following the conduct of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him).
Referring to Prophet Abraham's (peace be upon him) struggle against idolatry and the breaking of idols, he stated: The Holy Quran invites followers of Islam to follow the religion of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), saying: When you have embraced Islam, you are born of the Prophet, you are of noble lineage, you are from the descendants of Abraham, the Friend of God, and his children. Just as Abraham, the Friend of God, stood against idolatry and fought the idols with an axe, you too must take up the axe and break idols.
Applying this teaching to today's conditions, he stated: Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) fought the idols with an axe, and today too, one must confront the enemy with the necessary tools and means, such as missiles, in accordance with the circumstances. Just as that prophet stood against idolatry, his followers too must be people of steadfastness and resistance on the path of safeguarding their religion, dignity, and independence.
In conclusion, Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli prayed for the people of Iran, combatants, scholars, and all servants of society, asking God Almighty to encompass all under the grace of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and to bestow dignity, honor, nobility, and happiness in this world and the Hereafter upon the people of Iran.
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