An Interview with Hojat-ol-islam Saleh Abadi (Bridegroom of Ayatollah Abutorabi)

An Interview with Hojat-ol-islam Saleh Abadi (Bridegroom of Ayatollah Abutorabi)

Imam Khomeini's statements (P.b.u.h) on the captives

Homecoming of honored freed captives to Islamic Iran

Statements of the Grand Leader during visiting the Frees

Twenty moral disciplines by Hojat-ol-islam Sayed Ali Akbar to Iranian captives in Iraq camps

Q: When did you acquainted with him?

A: In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

Before we captured once the late Haj Abutorabi had been captured by Iraqi forces, in Iran declared his martyrdom. Since that time, I acquainted with him to some extent. Initial acquaintance with him confined to what was said about him in preaches and the press, statements of the late Chamran about him in the press then his false funeral. Once I was captured, and then transferred me to a camp where some comrades had seen him in Baghdad prison. They said that they had seen Abutorabi; there I found that he has not been martyred.

After about 7 months since I captured, we were transferred to another camp where Haj Abutorabi was there. We visited him gradually and became familiar with his behaviors and guidance. What attracted one attention at the first meeting were his good behaviors. That is, he attracted everyone at the first meeting. He behaved warmly and passionately. What we had heard about the Prophet's warm behavior in attracting more people into Islam we could see within Abutorabi. In fact, we had seen those good morals within him. He not only behaved morally with comrades but also be good munificently and well morally with Iraqi soldiers whom tortured him so that he could affect many of them with his good behavior and changed them. That is, if someone tortured him badly then he became virtuous and pious and sometime said night prayer.

At the beginning of captivity, there was a division among prisoners about how much we should stand firm against Iraqis. Some of them were rather moderate. Haj Abutorabi strove good-temperedly to attract all comrades even those weak comrades who might cooperate with Iraqi forces. He advised to our obliged and religious comrades that we should move neither quick nor slow but moderate so that all could go with us. Therefore, it is not necessary for us to be sensitive to some issues Iraqis order us to do that are not against our religious laws.  We should behave in a way that not injures our comrades. It is not necessary for us to compete with such some disciplines that Iraqis order us as how to shave and dress. As the result of this, we can prevent our comrades from being tortured by Iraqis and take an opportunity to develop ideologically and culturally. At the first, some comrades were sensitive in this respect and were opposed to the late Abutorabi's ideas but they gradually perceived his good ideas and acknowledged it the best strategy. Thanks to these strategies, Iraqis pressure reduced to some extent. Early in captivity, we were bound a lot to say prayer in congregation and tried to prevent imam of mass prayers from being recognized but Haj Abutorabi said that congregational prayer is a recommended action and it is not required our comrades be under pressure thanks to this. Alternatively, we decided to say our prayer one by one but on time. Although we did not say prayer in congregation, we did it singly and this matter had its effect on Iraqi soldiers.

Broad cultural programs began once the pressures reduced. Our comrades tried to teach in all areas in particular different areas of education. We gradually demanded some books including Nahjolbalaqa, Koran, Mafatyh[1], and books of high and guidance school grades. Everything we demanded usually took tow or three years. We delivered our demands to Red Cross officials, they prepared some samples and gave them to Iraqi censorship office then they studied them, if the books has not problem then the Red Cross officials were allowed to provide more numbers of the books for us. It was a cycle took around three years but it was a useful measure that finally led to result.

We had some comrades whom achieved significant successes in such different areas as religious, Qur'an and Nahjolbalaqa memorizing, and more numbers of our pupils could complete their religious courses and once they come back home soon took exam and entered university. All of this was effects of the strategy was recommended by the late Abutorabi's. Some comrades initially opposed him but finally admitted his recommended strategy and this matter made our freed comrades morally, mentally, and physically healthy.

Q: As you pointed out, among the prisoners were various people. Relation with all is a difficult work. How Haj Abutorabi could unify and lead all of them?

A: Yes, the late Abutorabi behaved affectionately even with those whom were rather weaker or might had less attachment to religious issues and Islamic Republic of Iran that due to this good behavior he attracted most of them except a few numbers who had enmity. Haj Abutorabi suffered many problems in this respect. As pointed out, he behaved in accordance with Islamic laws. His knowledge of Islamic laws culminated in the exalted Prophet and the twelve Imams' behaviors. He was admitted by the other prisoners since he was rather superior knowledgeably and more aware of Islamic laws. He had one more principle in his effect on the other and that was resorting to Imams (P.b.u.T). He tried a lot to persuade our comrades and solve the problems through ordinary ways. Nevertheless, once he faced problem and ordinary ways did not useful he resorted to Imams and the Innocent Imams and so continued it that led to result.

Q: You pointed to some spiritual aspects of Haj Abutorabi. Might I ask you to explain some about this matter?

A: In fact, he was among those pure and believer people who was exception probably and was bound a lot to Islamic laws. In Iraqis camp, he could not express openly religious issues and take them into effect and invite comrades to pass mystical lessons, but he himself has passed and was passing those lessons. Limited space, facilities, and unavailability to references caused some problems in a way that if an approach was chosen some prisoners exaggerated on it. There are some Islamic issues that Excellency Imam Ali (Peace be upon Him) has pointed them in Nahjolbalaqa, for example a believer person is more quiet that talking. Well, this matter more related to issues in which man does not talk thoughtlessly and does not say idle talk.

Q: Given Abutorabi's manner either in captivity or afterwards can be a model for all of us both our young society and public servants, what we should do in order his practical approach to be sensible and feasible for us?

A: In fact, every manner is based on belief. We are required to have belief in a question so as to perform it deservedly. When he was questioned about his opinion, his reply indicated his hearty faith. That is he behaved affectionately to all accompanied by wise moral and manner. He truly believed that one must behave so. He as a human or believer believed heartily to respect people. Some people say one should service to people but in fact, they do not observe this matter and do not consider themselves as servant. That is they claim this while themselves do not belief in. but our comrades were saying that either before captivity or afterwards, he believed heartily to this maxim "be pure and servant". He respected people sincerely and considered himself as people servant.

He could affect morally many of enemy's soldiers with his good behavior and changed them. That is, if someone tortured him badly then he became virtuous and pious and sometime said night prayer. Once he was asked to rest, he replied that we would rest much later. After this world, the time for resting is much but now is time of action. Now, judgment may be worldly but the Lord does not account in this world, today is action day and afterlife is judgment day and there will no opportunity for act. He truly believed to this matter and said everybody get to this faith surely it will effect on one's behavior and action. that is if I consider myself better than my neighbor surely I can't respect him deservedly, but once I consider myself less than the neighbor, whenever I see my neighbor I not only respect and help him but also behave properly. We should get to this belief then it will affect our behaviors.

Q: As the last question, if in this respect you have any memory please explain?

A: I made some points between my statements. During a meeting that I made with his children about his behavior, they said it was long that we had could not take a chance to talk to our father. An opportunity came at the end of the year and we came together and asked him if he has a criticism or dissatisfaction about us, say it. One of the criticism that Haj Abutorabi had, is that one of you could give your turn to some driver, why you did not observe this matter? That is he believed to give priority to other over oneself even about the most trivial things, meanwhile he expected his children to do so. One of his neighbors was saying that one night we arrived home late and we saw a person was pushing a car, we came near and we found that he is the late Haj Abutorabi and since it was midnight so he did not want to start his car at the front of the house lest make neighbors wake. These good manners had intense effects on neighbors and relatives.

Imam Khomeini's statements (P.b.u.h) on the captives

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

We are unable to depict the martyrs, disabilities, the missing, and the captives whom sacrificed their life and healthy or captured by Islam enemies for the sake of God. We cannot describe high rank of dear sacrificers whom have sacrificed their life to defend justice, Islam, and our Islamic country.    

Fathers, mothers, spouses, and dependents of the martyrs, the captives, the missing, and disabilities should be understand that their children have not lost anything. Victory or defeat does not matter to them since your children are in presence of the Exalted Prophet and the Innocent Imams.

O' God! The most violent killer of the history has captured our captives. Their resistance has perplexed the world, as soon as possible make them free for serving You and Your servants, and grant their families patience, wage, health, and forgiveness.

What can be sacrificed before those honorable mothers who have brought up such children? How can bow before the captives who in enemy's horrendous prisons yell at them?

The captives themselves in captivity are song of freedom and frees of the world murmuring them. Dear the missing are axis of shoeless ocean of God and people of inferior world amazed on their high rank.

We are ashamed by your self-sacrifice; you have said the last word. Your achievements are an honor to the Exalted Prophet (p.b.u.h) and proud of the Lord of Time.

Your rank in presence of the Exalted God is the envy of us.

You have caused honor of Islam, Moslems, and Iranians. You have made history golden and honored. God angels will not forget you.  

We salute you (disabilities, the missing, and dear captives) for you being honor of Islam and your Islamic country, and God mercy on those mothers whom brought up you lionhearted.

There is difference between Iranian forces who behave brotherly with their Iraqi prisoners and Iraqis who behave cruelty with their Iranian captives whom mostly were civilians.

O' God! Return the captive to their homes successfully and healthfully, and make people hold dear our martyrs!

God, may God desire so, make free our captives those whom darling to us and familiar us to our duty!

Homecoming of honored freed captives to Islamic Iran

If the captives returned home someday and I wasn’t, give them my salute and say that Khomeini were thinking of you.

Imam Khomeini (p.b.u.h).

Our Islamic country in 1369/05/26 (1990/08/17) had experienced arrival of the captives whom after years in captivity finally returned their Islamic country. Our Islamic country had decorated with lights and filled with indescribable joy and happiness thanks to presence of these messengers of the Revolution and the War. Having returned the country, frees firstly kiss the country's soil, the country that its land wholly had purified by the blood of its sons. They visited sepulcher of Khomeini, the great (p.b.u.h) then they swore allegiance to his successor, the Grand Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. These come back to their allegiance to Islam, Revolution, and the country.

"One of the things that gave hope to you was remembrance of dignity visage and morale of our dear Imam. He was also thinking of you and the status of the father whose children are far-off him, can be perceived easily". Said the Grand Leader Ayatollah Khamenei concerning frees.

"Iran-Iraq war was another experience for our people that passed it successfully and our captives as like as Iranian people declared their freedom then finally returned home successfully and honorably."

"During being in captivity, you had experienced hard situations but besides maintenance faith and beliefs, allegiance to Islam, Imam Khomeini, and the Revolution, you caused honor of your country against the enemy."

Statements of the Grand Leader during visiting the Frees

Today was one of the finest periods after the Revolution for our nation. The only thing that in these happy day make us upset also I myself was thinking of it, is that many of you wished to visit Imam Khomeini. All our combatants have wished this also many of our martyrs have pointed out this great love in their testament. We are aware of the matter that one of the things that during being in captivity in camps gave hope to you was remembrance of dignity visage and morale of our dear Imam. He was also thinking of you and the status of the father whose children are far-off him, can be perceived easily. He himself has described this in a letter to one of the captives and has showed that he, in fact, bereaved on absence of the dear captives.

Truly, absences of Imam Khomeini are feeling in these days. Of course, soul of very great Imam realizes us. Happiness and achievements of our nation, Islam and Muslims victories make Imam Khomeini's soul happy and glad. We praise God that proved that those heavenly aids supported our nation already also still support the nation. The exalted God since the beginning of the revolution have guided our servants and nation and that is the issue that our grand leader believed it heartily. Everything goes forward pleasurably in consort with victory of Iran peoples, triumph of supporters of justice and Islam, and with victory and exaltation of Islam and Muslims.

If humans wanted to think on this matter, it was impossible to find such a best and clear way. The exalted God had guided all of us. You had passed hard times also; it was hard times for your families and Iran people because of absence of such devotee young, believer men, and sincere combatants as you and other dear freed captives but patience, resistance, and trust in God made everything beneficial to the patients. Praise be to God you had returned. This was another experience. The exalted God have said that every hardship followed by a comfort and we, the people of Iran had experienced this over ten-twelve years again and again, this was another experience we praise God. We are hope to, God willing; other dear captives soon return home, you are great treasure of God whom had been usurped by the enemy. The exalted God returned you to home, the Islamic country. We are hoping to do our duty desirably.

Brothers! We are in the midst of an honorable way we should never forget this. Our Revolution was wish of all Islamic nations. We did not exaggerate if we say all reformers, thinkers, and freemen of Islamic history have wished such days for Islam and Muslims. Islam enemies had planned odd schemes to overwhelming destructive of Islam, Koran, and Islamic values.  

How large amount of money had spent, how mush false propaganda over tens of years put out for overwhelming destructive of Islam! Our Revolution reversed all schemes of Islam enemies. Islam became popular and today Islamic nations have enlightened. Today, Islamic movement has reached pinnacle of fame in the world in many of the Islamic countries. Today, Islam, Islamic Revolution, and Islamic movement were considered a great national, social, and political value. Even those whom have never interested in Islam for people good intention and well-being continuously speak of Islam, today Islam has become popular.

Who gave this honor to Islam? Our martyrs' blood, your patience and resistance, martyrs families' attempts, hardships, patience and resistance. Also mothers, fathers, spouses, offspring, and true attempts of those whom ignored all their wishes and fought just for the sake of Islam. All of these data-x-items made their effect and today Islam have gained honor, and the cradle of revolutionary Islam is Islamic Iran and the Iranians are pivot of these honors. Truthfully, Iranian peoples are a noble, honorable, zealous, and talented nation. Moreover, the exalted God were aware of these people and their characteristics that put such the greatest responsibilities and burdens as restoration of Islam, vivification of Koran and Islamic values on their shoulder and we praise God that these people have succeeded in this stage, too. Nevertheless, we are in midst of the way and are required to attempt. Islam enemies are awake and have still not disappointed to damage Islam.

Today, world powers attempt to neutralize Islamic beliefs influence among the nations as a threat. Devils and the great Satan namely America is thinking to damage Islam and Muslims. Everywhere Islam enemies are there Islam feels danger and was required by Islam mujahids and true Muslims to defend deservedly and feel responsibility against it. Over these ten years of your absence, numerous events had occurred in the country. Iran peoples had experienced many hardships and showed that they are resistant, steadfast, and untiring against the events. Islam enemies tried a lot to divide us, to keep us away from Islam, our aspirations, ideals and goals, but they could not. Our peoples stood behind Imam Khomeini and the compassionate officials over these ten years. Today they still stand behind the officials at the height of cheerfulness, firmness, powerfulness, and decidedness. Resorting to Islam and their union, Iranians make themselves strong. If our country was at the height of its power militarily, economically, politically, and culturally, it would save itself and other Islamic nations, and it will be a model for Islamic countries. If it so powerful that it would disappoint great powers.

If our nation does not have necessary and Islamic deserving authority, the enemies become greed to damage Islam and that very shameful and scandalous period of the previous regime, we take refuge in God, will be reestablished.

We should be powerful militarily, economically, politically, and culturally. Look at the world threats and see what the great powers thinking. Today in the very region of the Persian Gulf and the Middle East, global arrogance and America are thinking to generate their power and their expansionist policies. They do not think to end encroachment but they themselves are aggressor. They proved their encroachment in many parts of the world and their existence are danger to Islamic nations since they cannot provide security.

Our Muslim nation must be alert. Today we all have duty in particular those such as you dears specifically believers, the martyrs families, disabilities, and those whom had fought in battlefields and have devoted their life, youth, and dear families for the sake of the Revolution, to try to construct the country as a powerful country.

Today Imam Khomeini is not present, but his advices, policy and direction, light, and followers are in the scene. Praise be to God who had defeated your enemies, made you victorious, returned you victoriously to your Islamic country, and made your families happy. And doubtlessly the exalted God made the Lord of Time (may our souls be sacrificed to him) happy with these victories.

These victories were gained thanks to resistance; trust in God, going in God's way, sincerity, and sympathy. Every time, we move sympathetically for the sake of God we are victor. Nothing can divert and make us indecisive in God's way. The exalted God has not refused and will not refuse its grace from us. We are hoping that the exalted God help you as soon as possible return your homes and make your families happy a lot! We are hoping that the rest of captives return home and our peoples become happier. Solving our problems, the exalted God will make our peoples happy.

Twenty moral disciplines by Hojat-ol-islam Sayed Ali Akbar to Iranian captives in Iraq camps

1.Be pure and serve the people

2.Control your desire and restrain your soul

3.Try to help other

4.Veil the imperfections of the people to the extent you are able

5.Love people more than yourself

6.Devote yourself to other sincerely

7.What you want for yourself also wish for others

8.Try devotedly yourself in serving God to achieve to serve people and devotion in serving is but to serve servants sincerely

9.If you zealous to serve God try more to serve God servants since God lovers eager to serve

10.Go toward God and in prayer moments request Him your commitment and goodness and salvation of people

11.Try more to be dutiful that salvation and righteousness is but in dutifulness

12.Don’t consider people light-minded since the quality arose from one own light-mindedness

13.Try to assist believers and the weak

14.Think sincerely in doing service heavy duties, decide wisely and trust in God and the Innocent Imams (peace be upon them)

15. Resort passionately to high ranks of Imamate and Vilayet since they are guardian of the world or as the exalted Prophet (p.b.u.h) says, O' Ali! You and Me are father of the nation.

16.By trusting in God seek help from the Innocent Imams since they guide the misled, help poverty-stricken, and make the creation medium of righteousness and advisability

17. You will get righteousness and advisability by resorting to the Innocent Imams provided that you be sincerely devotee

18.Being sincere in serving God and service is the only way of salvation, and we will not achieve it unless we control our desire and restrain our soul

19.Don’t fear hardships since obligated sacrificers aren't frightened by difficulties

20.Try to be pioneer in defense justice that justness fields are arena of God men

 The following text is an elegy that has been composed by martyr Dr. Chamran on mourning the late Sayed Ali Akbar Abutorabi that he thought Haj Abutorabi has certainly martyred in the south front.

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate

And say not of those slain in God's way, "They are dead"; rather they are living, and God provided them daily bread.

I testify that Sayed Ali Akbar Abutorabi put his hear and soul into God's way, elevation of Islam, triumph of the Revolution, and defeat blasphemy front until he martyred.

I testify that he admitted the most difficult missions passionately. His duties more dangerous, he looked happier and more content.

I testify that he was the best example of purity, piety, love and kindness, brevity and sacrificing. In addition, with his high soul, belief, and irresistible will had outshined all combatants.

I testify that he was the first person whom accompanied by his guerrilla group arrived in "Dob Hardan" and so fought against the enemy that made them retreated.

I testify that his nighttime prayers with God, prayer early in the morning, praying for pardon, worship and fiery addresses before going to war was so ardent and sincere that made us upset.

His comrades, heaven and I testify that Sayed Ali Akbar Abutorabi in Ahvaz fought day and night against enemy for the sake of God, and during a very dangerous mission advanced in front of enemy and left an indescribable epic and in the height of honor and martyrdom joined the Heaven. O' God! You, who take the good soon and make us deprived of them, know him and how he was behaving with his comrades, in turn his comrades how much loved him and after his martyrdom, they wanted to attack enemy madly kill to be killed and as soon as possible rest next to their commander, Abutorabi.

O' God! You aware that his existence how much was vital for his fellow citizens and was father of the orphan. He was absolutely love and faith, a world of devotion and kindness, a heaven of pleasure and sincerity, an ocean of love and knowledge, as like as a mountain of firmness and dignity, a volcano of passion and love and sacrificing.

The martyr Abutorabi was a lovesick gnostic that his lovingly prayers in the midnights with the exalted God made the lovers affected. He was so calm and confident that so to speak he has arisen from the depth of the ocean. Nevertheless, he was a combat who stormed in battlefield. Enemy was frightened to death by his cry. He turned down no mission and was never weak against the enemy.

His faith as like as mountain had firmed on the destiny table and devoted himself completely to God. He was impatient to see God. He was a high-flying bird who wanted to free himself of this world as soon as possible and as fast as possible fly to Heaven, and as depth as possible fade in infinite world of love and unity. Praise be to the frees whom are not captured by temptation of the world and power, those who don’t fear death and only fear God and take refuge to God. How beautiful to live freely and cheer up as like as flower and like a breeze to pay the debt of nature! How nice to cut captivity chains by martyrdom and to die like Ishmael in altar of God love and by spirit power to fly to the empyrean! How much is beautiful living without anxiety, fear, being captive in chains of this world, weakness against devils and the great powers! Where that human surrender to no power and worship only God. As long as he alive, live freely and honorably, and when death comes join the Heaven honorably.

O' God! Accept martyr Abutorabi, the dear gift, from our people and revolution, and for the sake of such a pure and free martyr raise more the sacred flag of Islam! Eradicate cruelty and corruption, annihilate devils and the great powers and hasten the advent of The Lord of Time in order that human Utopia according to justice, love, and freedom to be achieved as soon as possible.    O' God! We beg you guide us to straightforward in gratitude for martyrs' blood, save our broken destiny ship among these storms, substitute hypocrisy by comradeship and sincerity, also substitute disunion and division by unity and solidarity under Imam's leadership. I express condolences Abutorabi's martyrdom to his dear family in particular his dear and kind father (Sayed Abas Abutorabi that we all are indebted to him) and to his comrades whom had witnessed his sincerity and sacrificing in martyrdom's field, to his fellow citizens and Iranians and finally to our grand Leader whose kind heart is filled with sorrow.