Sheikh Naim Qasem's message on the occasion of the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Khamenei

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

On the 40th day following the martyrdom of the Leader, Imam Khamenei (may God sanctify his soul), we are in a state of both mourning and honor. Although the grief from this loss is immense and its pain is agonizing, the station our Leader attained in the heart of the battlefield — that is, an honorable martyrdom while continuing the path of Imam Hussain (pbuh) — is far more exalted and superior. 

Our Leader firmly established the foundations of the pure Islam brought by Prophet Muhammad in continuation of the line of the founder and reviver of the faith, Imam Khomeini (may God sanctify his soul), and he equipped the Ummah with the principles of steadfastness, jihad, and patience. He guided us to raise the banner of Resistance in support of Palestine and Al‑Quds, and for the liberation of the occupied lands. And in accordance with the divine promise, "O you who have believed, if you support God, He will support you and make your feet firm" (Quran 47:7), he breathed into our beings a spirit of hope for an ultimate victory.

The Martyred Imam, Leader Khamenei (may God sanctify his soul), led the entire Ummah and the Islamic Republic of Iran toward a pioneering experience of righteousness, steadfastness, and a life of dignity and freedom. He emphasized keeping up with the times, scientific advancement, and self‑sufficiency. By rejecting dependence on East and West, he insisted on the right to independence and on reliance on the authentic path that connects us to the heavenly mission of Islam and the way of the Prophet (pbuh) and the Imams (pbut).

With the assassination of the Leader, the Israeli‑US enemy sought to put an end to this noble line and to shake the will of the Iranian nation and the free people devoted to the Imam and his path. But the great Iranian nation, along with the IRGC, the security forces, and the military, remained steadfast in the arena. Backed by the massive presence of the people and internal unity, they rose up on military, political, and cultural fronts. By God’s grace, they succeeded in selecting the Guardian Jurist, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei (may God preserve his exalted presence), as the blessed successor to that righteous predecessor. 

Under his guidance, the Islamic Republic has been able to heal its wounds and take control of the field, and by foiling the US‑Zionist enemy in achieving its objectives, achieve a great victory. This has been to the point that the enemy, humiliated and resigned, has come to the negotiating table on Iran’s just terms.

Hezbollah of Lebanon and all the glorious forces in the region and the world have faith in this Guardianship (Wilayah) that began with the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and passed through the Imams (pbut) and the great scholars throughout history, until the banner is handed over to the Master of the Age and Time (may God hasten his reappearance). On this path of dignity and steadfastness, Hezbollah and its Islamic Resistance have offered the Master of the Martyrs of the Ummah, Sayyid Hassan (may God be pleased with him), and other high‑ranking martyrs for the elevation of the truth, the liberation of the homeland, and human beings’ dignity. 

And no matter how much sacrifice is needed, we will remain on this path. The usurping Israel will never achieve its goals, and it won’t be able to establish itself to the south of our Resistance. The youth of the Resistance, with their martyrdom‑seeking spirit and accompanied by our dear, pure, self‑sacrificing nation, will shatter the enemy’s schemes, because God says, "And He made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of God is the highest" (Quran 9:40). 

Naim Qasem

Shawwal 20, 1447 AHL

Farvardin 20, 1405 AHS

[April 9, 2026]