AhlulBayt News Agency: Iranian scholar Dr. Mohammad Fanaei Eshkevari recently delivered speech on the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
Ayatollah Khamenei was martyred in a US-Israeli attack on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Following is a summary of the transcription of Dr Fanaei Eshkevari’s speech:
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
I extend my condolences on the heartrending martyrdom of the courageous leader, the tireless warrior, and the exceptional guide, the martyred Imam Ayatollah Khamenei.
He was, in numerous respects, an unparalleled and irreplaceable figure in history. His multifaceted personality traits were truly rare and incomparable, leaving behind a rich, luminous life and a precious legacy for us and all those who seek truth, justice, societal reform, and civilizational advancement.
Scholarship
He possessed an exceptional intellect and a distinguished scholarly aptitude, achieving remarkable success in his studies. In a short span, he swiftly and successfully ascended the academic ranks. Even in his youth, his scholarly comprehensiveness was evident—mastery in traditional seminary sciences, religious studies, literature, contemporary thought, and the intellectual discourses of his time, ranging from jurisprudence (fiqh), principles of jurisprudence (usul), biographical evaluation (rijal), hadith, exegesis of the Quran (tafsir), and literature to theology (kalam) and social thought.
He was not only deeply versed in traditional religious sciences, but also well-acquainted with modern knowledge, global literature, and the intellectual currents of his era. He had an extensive familiarity with philosophical schools, political and social thought, and conducted profound studies across various fields of knowledge—a rarity in itself.
His speeches in the year 1974 (1353 SH), compiled in the book “An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran”, demonstrate that Ayatollah Khamenei, even in his thirties, had reached the pinnacle of mastery over Islamic thought. His method of presenting Quranic and doctrinal discussions, along with his interpretive approach, reflected his comprehensive and civilizational vision.
He was a pioneer in articulating the social dimensions of religious teachings. He spoke of monotheism (tawhid), prophethood (nubuwwah), and the Imamate (Imamah), among other doctrines, in a manner that not only addressed their creedal and metaphysical aspects but also pursued their social implications.
In his view, religious beliefs were not merely abstract or heartfelt convictions but carried practical consequences for individual and societal life, serving as the foundation for societal and civilizational development.
Accordingly, through a critical examination of philosophy, he introduced the concept of the "social extension of philosophy" and earnestly urged researchers and philosophers in seminaries to explore this dimension.
By synthesizing religious teachings with extraneous intellectual traditions—from literature to history, philosophy, and social sciences—he distilled profound insights into religious knowledge. He formulated theories on civilizational development and the governance of human life, which can be traced in his various speeches and statements on different occasions.
Based on his thought, one can reconstruct a worldview and intellectual framework with a civilizational approach.
Morality
He embodied noble and magnanimous character. Chivalry and open-mindedness were among his defining traits.
Those who interacted with him witnessed these qualities firsthand—a man of free spirit, affability, optimism, and a positive outlook. Companions who associated with him were captivated by his demeanor and moral excellence.
Even Marxists imprisoned alongside him were drawn to his open-minded personality and sublime ethical virtues.
He possessed remarkable tolerance for diverse thoughts, beliefs, inclinations, and tastes. While firmly grounded in his own unwavering principles, he exhibited broad-mindedness, attentively listening to differing viewpoints and engaging in amicable dialogues with thinkers of various schools.
His unifying and ecumenical outlook was so evident that it scarcely required elaboration. Fundamentally, his vision was global, and his leadership encompassed a vast, universal horizon.
Spirituality
He took immense strides in self-refinement, spiritual wayfaring, and drawing nearer to the Divine Presence—efforts whose traces were evident in his very being. His detachment from the world, from rank and position, despite holding the highest social stature; his ascetic life, which no fair-minded person could overlook—all bore witness to the richness of his inner self and his freedom from worldly allure.
Our martyred Imam was a mystic (‘arif). He was a man of remembrance and worship, of spirituality and purity, of supererogatory prayers and vigilance, of devotion and supplication, of tears and sighs, of seeking intercession, and of Quranic recitation—so much so that rarely could one find a soul so devout in spiritual discipline and conduct, especially one bearing the heaviest social and administrative responsibilities, yet never faltering in this aspect.
He was a believer in the truest sense—spiritual, yet not sanctimonious or dogmatic, embodying the pinnacle of magnanimity and open-mindedness.
He harmonized mysticism and intellect, worship and spiritual journeying, contemplation and reflection, as well as struggle, epic valor, and social leadership.
Who else can you find, at such a level, possessing all these qualities?
Struggle and Jihad
Our martyred Imam (leader) had been on the path of struggle and jihad since his youth—a courageous, passionate, and tireless warrior. He was repeatedly arrested, imprisoned, and exiled. He endured unbearable tortures and faced execution multiple times. He feared not SAVAK (the Shah's secret police), though the very name of SAVAK sent shivers down spines.
This struggle and jihad continued even after the revolution until the end of his blessed life.
His presence in the Sacred Defense (Iran-Iraq War), his assassination at the hands of the hypocrites (Monafeqin/MKO), and his relentless battle against arrogance and Zionism need no elaboration.
Unparalleled Experiences
He had amassed a mountain of experiences:
- A precise understanding of two critical periods in Iran’s history (pre- and post-revolution) through active, decisive, and influential participation.
- Years of experience in fighting against tyranny.
- The experience of a prolonged war and presence on battlefronts in high-ranking command positions.
- The experience of presidency and executive leadership of the country during critical conditions.
- Nearly four decades of leadership in the Islamic Republic and the Resistance Front, successfully managing various crises.
A captain who steered the ship of the revolution through stormy and turbulent seas to the shores of salvation.
A leader who transformed Iran from a weak, backward, and dependent country into an independent nation that has conquered great scientific peaks and, militarily, has brought global superpowers and arrogant powers to their knees.
His final honor was attaining the great triumph of martyrdom, which he received as a divine gift after a lifetime of blessings.
What a fulfilling life!
What felicity!
What a blessed end!
May he rest in peace.
The illustrious name of the martyred Ayatollah Khamenei will forever remain in world history as an exceptional leader.
And the pain of his loss will eternally reside in our wounded hearts, and our burning livers will blaze in the flames of separation until the day of reunion!
He departs, dragging the hem (of his cloak),
I taste the agony of loneliness,
Ask me no more of my state,
For my heart’s mark departs with him.
Alas!
Woe is me!
O my Imam!
O my Father!
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