The Islamic system persists
Principles and criteria for selecting the Leader by the Assembly of Experts from the perspective of the martyred Leader, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei (may God be pleased with him)
Imam Khomeini (ra): "The Guardianship of the Jurist [Wilayat Faqih] is something that Almighty God has established. It is the same guardianship as that of the Messenger of God."
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei: "The Islamic system and the Islamic Revolution are not dependent on individuals. Individuals have roles, missions to fulfill, and they play important parts. However, the system is not dependent on them and can continue on its path, even if that particular individual is no longer among them." (November 7, 2024)
No void in leadership is created
June 4, 1989 is a special day in the history of the Revolution and the system of the Islamic Republic. It was a day on which the enemies were greedily watching, in order to take advantage of a void in the leadership of the Islamic system. However, by the will of God and through the timely action and measure taken by the Assembly of Experts, an entirely different equation was realized: "All eyes were fixed on Iran, waiting for the day when our magnanimous Imam would be taken from these people. Plans had been laid, hopes pinned, and ten years were spent in anticipation of that day. For the enemies of this nation and the Revolution, June 4, 1989 was a crucial and decisive day. The Assembly of Experts did not allow this void to occur."
Thus, the reason for the opposition and hostility of the arrogant enemies towards the Assembly of Experts is precisely the Assembly’s unique role in preventing a void in the leadership of the Islamic system:
"The reason the global arrogant enemies oppose the Assembly of Experts is this: Their swift action and their rebuffing of the enemy’s conspiracies was extremely significant for the world. That is why they oppose the Assembly of Experts. No, it is not that the impact of the Assembly of Experts has not been made apparent yet. Quite the contrary – they oppose it this much because the Assembly of Experts’ impact has been made apparent and it has performed such an important action against the enemy at a critical juncture." (October 21, 1998)
The Leader’s primary duty: Maintaining the revolutionary orientation of the system
"Leadership is the central pivot of the Islamic system." (September 6, 2007)
The reason leadership is central in the Islamic Republic is that:
"The most important duty of the leadership is to monitor and preserve the general trajectory and the movement of the key sectors of the system in alignment with the Revolution, so that no deviation will occur from the main path and that the Islamic Revolution will not deviate like other revolutions." (Feb. 23, 2023)
In essence, "the leadership’s responsibility arises when it perceives that a movement is taking place which is diverting the system from its path. Here, it is the Leader’s duty to step in and prevent this diversion from occurring in every way possible, no matter how small it may be." (July 2, 2016)
"In fact, leadership is a macro-level, value-based management. As I mentioned, pressures, constraints, and necessities can sometimes compel various managements towards unnecessary or impermissible flexibility. The leadership must ensure that such occurrences do not happen. This is an extremely heavy responsibility." (Oct. 16, 2011)
Of course, preserving the correct, undistorted course of the Revolution is tied to: "Maintaining the orientation towards the Revolution’s objective. In the structure of the Islamic system, the leadership’s position primarily exists to preserve the orientation towards the Revolution’s goal. This constitutes the leadership’s main responsibility. The Revolution was established for a specific purpose. The Islamic Revolution’s goal is to establish Tawhid [monotheism] in people’s lives in the country. In order for an Islamic society to approach this goal and to establish a monotheistic society, certain efforts are required and there are obstacles that exist.
Obstacles invariably arise on the path leading to this objective and there are incentives for some to want to impede this movement. There are incentives. These incentives are motivated by a desire to prevent the Revolution and the system from moving toward and achieving their goals. They seek to halt and even reverse this progress…An element is necessary to prevent this [regression]. In the Islamic system, this element is the position of the Leader. Such a deviation must be prevented by a leader. This is very important. It is very important! Therefore, the importance of the Assembly of Experts is because appointing the person responsible for this mission is a very important matter." (November 8, 2024)
Accordingly, the Assembly of Experts plays an irreplaceable role as the driver of the uninterrupted movement of the Islamic Republic:
The establishment and creation of the Assembly of Experts signifies the uninterrupted progress of the Islamic system. This means that there will be no pause or interruption in the system. The Assembly of Experts exists to be able to designate a successor. Therefore, this succession will continue with full strength, power, and ability…If the current Leader were to be absent, the Assembly of Experts would immediately take action to select a successor. (November 8, 2024)
Islamic and Revolutionary criteria for selecting the Leader
For the Assembly of Experts to fulfill its unique role in ensuring the continuity of the Revolution and the Islamic system, and to correctly perform its fundamental duty of appointing the Leader at the critical juncture, it must operate according to precise and correct criteria. The first essential principle in this regard is that the nation’s Experts must keep God in mind when selecting the Leader:
"When choosing the future Leader, take God into account. When the time comes to elect the Leader, set aside personal considerations or politeness. Keep God in mind, think about your duties, and consider the country’s needs. The Leader must be chosen on this basis." (March 10, 2016)
Another key point is safeguarding the "principles of the Islamic Republic" in the Assembly’s selection process:
"The Assembly of Experts must ensure that the fixed principles of the Islamic Republic are upheld in their decisions and selections. They should take care that the fixed principles of the Islamic Republic are not neglected. This is very important. This means the Leader must be selected while respecting and considering the fixed principles that are fundamental certainties in the Islamic Republic. There are fixed principles that cannot be changed. We can see such principles in the constitution, in the statements of the late Imam (ra), and in the Islamic teachings. These must be observed. These principles include promoting justice, fighting corruption, increasing Islamic knowledge, and abiding by Islam in society. These are fixed principles that are unchangeable." (March 7, 2024)
Selecting the Leader based on the conditions specified in the Constitution is another key criterion. Chief among these conditions is a "firm belief in the Revolution’s purpose and path":
"The Assembly of Experts must exercise the utmost care and attention in its selection process. The utmost care and attention must be exercised. The Constitution outlines specific qualifications for the position of the Leader and one of the most important is a strong, sincere belief in the path and goals of the Revolution. This belief must exist. A readiness to continuously, tirelessly move forward on this path must be present in someone in order for them to be worthy of this responsibility. These qualities must be identified in individuals and a selection must be made." (November 7, 2024)
In alignment with these criteria, "intellectual independence and freedom from imposed patterns of the hegemonic system" is another essential factor:
"[When the Assembly of Experts select the Leader] necessary care and intellectual independence must be fully observed. The Assembly of Experts must maintain intellectual independence and not become enslaved to the imposed clichés of the global hegemonic system." (September 3, 2015)
Another key criterion is that "Islamic jurisprudence and values" occupy a fundamental role in the selection of the Leader:
"What distinguishes this [leadership selection] from other collective selections is that the standard here is jurisprudence – that is, Islamic values. Therefore, this selection is for establishing the rule of Islamic values, implementing Islamic laws, and for practicing Islam in our lives." (September 3, 2015)
Finally, Article 109 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran clearly outlines the conditions and qualities of the Leader. According to this article, the primary criteria for selecting a Leader include: "Necessary academic qualifications for issuing jurisprudential rulings in various branches of Islamic law", "justice and piety required for leading the Islamic Ummah", and "sound political and social insight, prudence, courage, management, and sufficient power for leadership."
Tranquility and peace in the hearts of the believers
Accordingly, the Assembly of Experts is an unparalleled institution within the governance structure of the Islamic Republic:
"In terms of the concept of the Assembly of Experts and the title given to it in the Constitution and the system, it is one of the most revolutionary institutions of the Islamic Republic. When I say 'most revolutionary' I mean most closely related to the Islamic Revolution. In this sense, this [Assembly] is one of the most revolutionary institutions of the Revolution. The reason I describe it as being the 'most revolutionary' is due to its role in selecting the Leader. This is a very important role. It is a unique role, and praise God, the Assembly of Experts is prepared for this role." (November 7, 2024)
Therefore:
"The Assembly of Experts must remain revolutionary; it must think and act in a revolutionary manner." (March 10, 2016)
Ultimately, the elected representatives of the people in the Assembly of Experts, through their timely action, insight, piety, adherence to fundamental Islamic criteria, and revolutionary thinking, create the conditions for the uninterrupted continuation of the Great Islamic Revolution and the reinforcement of the monumental legacy left by Imam Khomeini (ra) and the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei. It is in this manner through which the descent of divine tranquility upon the Islamic society is made possible:
"It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers so that their faith may increase alongside their faith; and to God belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and God is All-Knowing, All-Wise."
The Assembly of Experts can be the complete manifestation of this divine descent of tranquility, for this tranquility is a sign of faith: "It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers so that their faith may increase alongside their faith." It strengthens and increases people’s faith. Tranquility means calmness in the face of turmoil. Various events, news, enmities, and circumstances naturally cause turbulence in human hearts. This tranquility often stabilizes a person’s thought and mind while reinforcing perseverance on the path they are traversing.
God grants this peace and tranquility to the believers through their faith, assuring them that "to God belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth." Whom should a person fear? All of the forces in the heavens and the earth belong to God; if we are believers, if we are servants of God, these forces will serve the believers. … When this Assembly is formed and demonstrates its readiness, intellectual independence, and awareness, it causes tranquility and peace to flow into the hearts of the believers. As a matter of fact, this divine tranquility flows from this Assembly into society." (September 3, 2015)