Hawzah News Agency- In his Friday prayer sermons delivered at the Grand Mosalla of Qom on October 23, 2026, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, the head of Iran's Islamic Seminaries and a member of the Guardian Council's jurists, laid out ten weaknesses of the United States that he said were laid bare during the recent war imposed on Iran and the Axis of Resistance.
The War and Its Aims
Ayatollah Arafi described the war as one "imposed by Trump and Netanyahu — the butchers and executioners of our time — on Islamic Iran and the Axis of Resistance."
"The whole world knows we were not the initiators," he said. "They were even at the negotiating table when they broke their agreements, trampled on values, and stood against Iran, the Revolution, and the Islamic Ummah. This war was unwanted by us."
He said the enemy had multiple objectives, including "bringing the Islamic Ummah and the Iranian nation to their knees." While in the past they did not openly state this goal, "today they openly declare it."
The senior cleric noted that more than eight months have passed since the war began, and the enemy's goal of destroying Iran in a one-week campaign has not been achieved. "For more than 250 nights, our people have been in the streets and our fighters in the trenches, ready to act at the command of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution."
"America, with all its capabilities and power, is a glass palace and a spider's house," he said. "We are at a historic turning point. We have no way but to stand firm against this predatory beast."
The Ten Weaknesses
First: Unprecedented global hatred of America. Ayatollah Arafi cited analysts who speak of "the most unprecedented collapse of social capital and trust in America," with anti-American sentiment reaching an average of over 60 percent worldwide. "They have destroyed their already tarnished reputation more than ever before."
Second: America is weak despite all its assets. "The war showed that America, with all its fleets and massive military and intelligence power, is very weak and vulnerable in an asymmetric war."
Third: New winning cards against America. "New cards have been revealed that America had not seen before," including the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices, global commodity prices, and global economic lifelines. "America realized it is highly vulnerable in this area, and Iran's power and that of the Axis of Resistance is high."
Fourth: Intensified internal rivalries in America and Israel. "Their internal rivalries make no difference to us because they are all the same. But today these rivalries have become very heavy, and severe polarization has emerged that did not exist before the war."
Fifth: Expansion of the target bank. "Their target bank is larger than what was hit in the imposed war and the Ramadan war. If they don't believe it, when they dare to attack again, they will see these rich target banks. Time bombs are active inside your system. The enrichment of the target bank is the result of your aggression in the recent war."
Sixth: The era of hit-and-run is over. Ayatollah Arafi stated the words of "the martyred Leader" that "the era of hit-and-run is over," adding that "the Iranian nation and the armed forces, obeying the Commander-in-Chief, will continue this policy, and you will be dealt heavy blows again."
Seventh: The end of Iran's strategic patience. "The era of strategic patience and Iran's considerations is over," he declared. "The era of saying a country is a neighbor and must be accommodated is finished. We will not continue compromising with you for the sake of these considerations."
Eighth: The shaky foundations of the usurping Israeli regime. "The usurping Israeli regime may appear to have had successes in Syria and Gaza, but its foundations are far shakier. The usurping Israeli regime is not a number you can count on for the future."
Ninth: A vulnerable economy. "Your economy is large but very vulnerable. Moreover, you harm the economies of other countries, and the world is terrified of the vulnerability of the economy."
Tenth: The exposure of America's oppression of the world. "America's civilizational arrogance and oppression of nations have been exposed more than ever. The arrogant words Trump speaks show the collapse of a civilization and the disgrace of a country before the world."
"These are your ten new weaknesses that you experienced through war," Ayatollah Arafi said. "Today you threaten, but know that if you enter a new battlefield, you will harm yourselves. This nation will continue to resist for dignity and greatness, and will strike your forehead to the ground."
Key Points
Ayatollah Arafi outlined four key principles:
- No weakness before the enemy. "Officials must know that authority and steadfastness must be shown before the enemy. We are in the middle of a great battle and at a crossroads between humiliation and dignity. The enemy must not be underestimated and must be known — but we must not fear. This is our main guideline."
- All necessary measures must be considered. "Economic and livelihood issues must be taken into account. The measures being taken deserve thanks, but we must plan more strongly so as to deter the enemy from any illusion."
- National cohesion and sacred unity around Iran, Islam, and obedience to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution must take shape. "Cohesion, convergence, and synergy are the definite need of today."
- The armed forces must be ready — but so must the streets. "You, the Iranian nation, have illuminated the streets with your light and continued. This presence in congregations, Friday prayers, preserving religious rituals, and standing under the banner of Islam, revenge, and the dignity of Islam will continue."
Remarks on Azerbaijan
Ayatollah Arafi addressed a warning to the government of Azerbaijan regarding the observance of divine values, particularly the hijab. "This behavior is very reprehensible for the Islamic Ummah and the brave nation of the Republic of Azerbaijan — that orders contrary to the pure Sharia and values agreed upon by all Islamic scholars are issued and people are harassed because of it."
He expressed hope that "this improper current against the hijab will stop," describing the hijab as "a fundamental issue that all women throughout the Islamic world must regard as a sign of Islamic identity and a guarantor of happiness in this world and the Hereafter."
Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Urged Not to Imprison Scholars and People
The Friday prayer leader also raised concerns about the imprisonment of scholars and young people for long years in some regional countries, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. "These widespread imprisonments in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have caused distress among religious authorities and scholars. It is expected that the government will abandon this oppressive practice, and it is expected that the diplomatic apparatus of the Islamic world and Iran will take action to free the people and scholars in these countries."
The Lofty Status of Lady Fatima Zahra (PBUH) in the View of Both Sects
In his first sermon, Ayatollah Arafi discussed the lofty status of Lady Fatima Zahra (PBUH) in the view of both Shia and Sunni Muslims, noting that while there are differences in perspective, there are many commonalities regarding her personality.
He cited the book Al-Sunnah Al-Nabawiyyah fi Masadir Al-Madhahib Al-Islamiyyah (The Prophetic Sunnah in the Sources of Islamic Schools), compiled by a group of professors and scholars under the auspices of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought. The seventh volume, dedicated to the Imams (PBUT), contains over 350 pages with more than 800 narrations from both Shia and Sunni sources addressing the characteristics of Lady Fatima (PBUH).
The book documents over 100 virtues and characteristics of Lady Fatima (PBUH), all drawn from authentic Shia and Sunni sources, "demonstrating the greatness and exalted personality of the Truthful One (PBUH) and the many commonalities we share with our Sunni brothers in this regard."
Lady Fatima as a Model for Muslim Women
Ayatollah Arafi described Lady Fatima (PBUH) as "a model of a mujahid Muslim woman and a great scholar who should be the focus of attention for the women and men of today's society."
"In the life of Fatima Zahra (PBUH), knowledge and learning, devotional and spiritual stations, social and educational roles — all are manifested alongside inner purity and outward adornment, hijab, and chastity. The combination of these elements in the personality of Fatima Zahra created an eternal model for the women of the world and a model different from material and non-divine models."
He noted that when Lady Fatima (PBUH) is seen in the prayer niche, "the light of her worship splits the heavens," and when she sits on the seat of disseminating divine knowledge, "knowledge, learning, and thought surge from her words, such that great companions like Abu Dharr and Salman gather around her." Historical reports indicate that not only the women of Medina but also men would ask her questions and receive answers.
Social and Political Role
Ayatollah Arafi highlighted Lady Fatima's social role, describing her as "a supporter of the Messenger of God (PBUH) and a defender of Wilayah," who even participated in wars alongside other women of Medina to support the Prophet and treat the wounded.
"Some mistakenly imagine that a woman in Islam cannot have exalted roles, while numerous roles are manifested in the image of Lady Fatima (PBUH) and in her luminous life, making her a model for both women and men."
He cited the historical account of Lady Fatima's sermon in the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, where "she came out of the house with grief and sorrow, wearing a garment that covered her entire being, entered the mosque, and began to speak from behind a curtain. With her first moan, the entire assembly burst into weeping."
"This social role and leadership in crises was accompanied by inner purity, outward adornment, and observance of divine boundaries — which women and girls should learn."
The Third Way
Ayatollah Arafi emphasized that "the path of women is neither withdrawal from science, knowledge, and learning, nor the path that the West has opened for us to turn women into a commodity for men's exploitation. The value of a woman is higher than being an object of desire for the lustful, attracting others through display, so that the attractions of her knowledge, learning, and spirituality are eclipsed."
"This is the third model that the Islamic Revolution presented on the issue of women," he said. "Lady Fatima Zahra (PBUH), by ensuring that the sacred boundary of womanhood was not violated, was able to attain a scientific station and spiritual purity, and today she is a living model for us."
"Chastity and hijab are not ordinary matters but the raised banner of Islam and the symbol of Islamic civilization. Observing boundaries and limits with non-mahrams is an important principle in our package of faithful conduct. Everyone must pay attention to this."
Leadership in Crisis
Ayatollah Arafi noted that beyond her various roles, Lady Fatima (PBUH) was "a champion and manager in crisis" after the Messenger of God (PBUH). "When Medina was turned upside down, equations were disrupted, deviations spread, the majority fell silent, society was afflicted with sedition, and divine values collapsed — a woman champion took the place of all men."
"A great lady took upon herself a great divine mission and managed the greatest crises. Lady Fatima (PBUH) raised the banner of prophethood and Wilayah, and by bearing oppressions and hardships, she prevented great deviations, safeguarded the continuity of the prophetic mission, and stood against hypocrisies. Lady Fatima's action in Islam is unparalleled, and she is the unique figure in the world in changing equations and playing a political role in favor of Imamate and Wilayah."
The Caravan of Lady Fatima on the Day of Judgment
Ayatollah Arafi noted that numerous narrations from both Shia and Sunni sources speak of Lady Fatima's station on the Day of Judgment. Among them is the grandeur of her caravan, when a caller from within the Throne will proclaim: "O assembly of creation! Lower your heads and close your eyes so that Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad (PBUH), may cross the Sirat." She will then cross "swift as lightning, accompanied by seventy thousand maidens from the houris of Paradise."
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