The Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi described the secret to the Iranian nation’s victory over the usurping Zionist regime as drawing inspiration from the path and steadfastness of Imam Hussein.
Speaking at the traditional Ashura night sermon commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his loyal companions—held in the Grand Prophet Courtyard of Imam Reza Shrine with shrine servants and pilgrims in attendance—Ayat. Ahmad Marvi offered condolences on the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Sayyid al-Shohada or Master of Martyrs. 
He stated: “What transformed the event of Ashura into an eternal and inspiring epic for all of humanity throughout history is the spirit of resistance and steadfastness of the martyrs of Karbala alongside Imam Hussein. This is the great and everlasting lesson of Karbala: recognizing the truth is the beginning of the path; walking in the path of truth is the second step; but remaining steadfast alongside the truth until the last breath is the essence of true faith”.
Referring to recent regional developments, he said: “The Zionist enemy and the criminal America, who today have targeted our religious and national identity, independence, and homeland, had pinned their hopes on breaking the patience and resistance of the brave Iranian people and creating doubt and hesitation in their resolve through their attacks on Iran. But the people disappointed them”.
“They martyred commanders, scientists, and many innocent civilians. They launched bombings solely to crush the spirit of resistance and steadfastness of the Iranian nation. But the faithful, honorable, and courageous people of Iran once again embodied the noble verse: “So it increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best disposer of affairs’”, Ayat. Marvi added.
The Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi stated: “Even the support of global oppressors for the Zionist regime could not shake the iron will of the Iranian nation. Thus, the enemy became hopeless and surrendered. The people of Iran proved that the greatness of their resistance and steadfastness, under the leadership of a wise, brave, faithful, and intelligent leader, triumphs over the bombs and missiles of vile and ruthless enemies”.
The top official described the enemies of Islamic Iran as the embodiment of the Quranic verse: “Deaf, dumb, and blind—so they do not understand,” and said: “These enemies are incapable of grasping divine and monotheistic truths. They do not understand what it means to be the country of Imam Hussein, nor what it means to oppose the country of Imam Reza”.
“Peace be upon the commanders, scientists, children, women, and men who were martyred and brought dignity and power to this nation. God’s peace be upon the faithful people of Iran who stood firm like mountains and, by holding fast to the Quran, the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt, and Ashura, and through unity and solidarity, humiliated and defeated the enemy. God’s peace be upon our powerful, brave, and farsighted Leader, who with the calm and tranquility born of his steadfast faith, is the singular voice of dignity and freedom in today’s world. All this dignity, power, freedom, and unity stems from the uprising of Imam Hussein”, the Custodian stressed.
In another part of his speech, Ayatollah Marvi said: “In Quranic and religious teachings, three stages are outlined for human salvation and a good end. If a person passes through these stages correctly, they will attain divine proximity and eternal happiness. But if they fail at any stage, they will fall into misguidance”.
He identified the first stage as distinguishing truth from falsehood, noting: “The first step in proper and redemptive religiosity is accurately discerning truth from falsehood. Ashura is not merely a historical event—it is a school as vast as history itself, with teachings drawn from the Holy Quran. Ashura and the months of Muharram and Safar are what have kept Islam alive”.
AQR’s Custodian went on to say: “The great Prophet of Islam introduced Islam, and Imam Hussein ensured the survival of pure Muhammadan Islam. During Ashura, some of those who stood against Imam Hussein were people who could not distinguish truth from falsehood. Due to the malicious propaganda of the oppressive Umayyad regime, the truth was obscured, and they mistakenly believed the infallible Imam had deviated from the religion of the Prophet”.
He described the second stage on the path to divine proximity as walking in the path of truth and noted: “After recognizing truth and falsehood, the next step is to walk in the path of truth and be willing to pay the price for reviving it. Many recognize the truth but are unwilling to make sacrifices for it. Finding the path of truth as difficult, they abandon it. An example of this group during Ashura is the people of Medina”.
“The truth of Imam Hussein’s Imamate and the illegitimacy of the Umayyad regime were clear to the people of Medina. They had seen the Prophet and Imam Ali and had learned Islam not from the Umayyad propaganda machine but from the Prophet himself. Yet they were unwilling to pay the price for the rule of truth. That is why Imam Hussein, upon leaving Medina, said beside the Prophet’s grave: “O Messenger of Allah! Bear witness that these people have abandoned me and have not taken a single step in defense of the truth”, Ayat. Marvi continued.
He identified the third stage as “steadfastness in the path of truth” and emphasized: “Recognizing the truth and moving toward it is not enough; perseverance in the face of divine trials is the final condition for salvation. A person may begin the path well but falter when faced with hardship”.
Referring to the behavior of the people of Kufa during Ashura, Ayat. Marvi said: “The people of Kufa were not like the people of Sham, who were confused and unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, nor like the people of Medina, who refused to support the Imam from the outset. For the people of Kufa, truth and falsehood were entirely clear. They sent hundreds of letters and thousands of signatures inviting Imam Hussein, saying, “Come to us, for we have an army ready to support and sacrifice for you.”
Analyzing this situation, he added: “The problem of the Kufans was that although they had passed the first two stages—recognizing the truth and taking action—they failed in the third stage, which is steadfastness, and they retreated”.
The Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi stated that steadfastness is the most important duty of believers and asserted: “Recognizing the truth and moving toward it are only the initial steps. True salvation lies in steadfastness. God says in verse 112 of Surah Hud: “So remain steadfast as you have been commanded, and those who have turned back with you, and do not transgress. Indeed, He is Seeing of what you do” ”.
He referred to a historical narration: “It is reported that after the revelation of this verse, the Prophet constantly advised Muslims, “Be steadfast, for now is the time for action.” It is also narrated that after this verse was revealed, no one ever saw the Prophet smile again, because the heavy responsibility of steadfastness had been placed on the shoulders of Muslims”.
The head of AQR stated that the enemies’ main hope is to break the steadfastness of believers and maintained: “Enemies always try to undermine the perseverance of believers. After the Battle of Uhud, Abu Sufyan told the Prophet, “Next year, at this same place, we will confront you to avenge the dead of Badr.” But when the appointed time came, the Quraysh polytheists were not ready for battle. At that point, Abu Sufyan’s only hope was to break the resistance of the believers. So, he sent spies and infiltrators to Medina to instill fear and prevent the Muslims from confronting the disbelievers”.
The Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi went on to say: “Those spies tried to exaggerate the power of the polytheists and instill fear in the hearts of the believers. But the Muslims, trained in the school of the Prophet, stood firm with unwavering faith and perseverance. The Holy Quran states that the more the enemy’s infiltrators boasted of the military strength and numbers of the polytheists, the more the faith and steadfastness of the Muslims increased, and they said: “God is sufficient for us, and He is the best guardian” ” .