Proposal Set for Constitutional Reform
November 10, 2025Addendum to the two aforementioned letters
November 11, 2025BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
Statement by the Maktab Qur’an about the Government’s Measures
Statement 1
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَتَنُواْ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَتُوبُواْ فَلَهُمۡ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابُ ٱلۡحَرِيقِ
Indeed, those who have tortured the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire.[1]
O Muslims! Know that the worshippers of the Sultan who have traded the worldly life for the Hereafter live in a perpetual conflict with the lofty call of truth, and against the mission to convey the message of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, the One, the Eternal. They act in retaliation to the call of the Qur’an, which revives hearts. Their hearts are torn apart with fear when they see Muslims growing in knowledge of their faith, taking admonition, and gaining insight into what Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has ordained upon them.
Indeed, the people of aggression and tyranny are consumed by corruption, deceit, and fraud, along with the devastation of war and progeny, in the absence of the call of truth, the guidance of insight, and the leaders of the people of rectitude. It is only when the light shines forth that darkness retreats and the affliction is dispelled. And the response of those brimming with faith is to turn away from the tyrant and reject him with aversion.
Indeed, the truth is innate to the uncorrupted soul:
فِطۡرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِي فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيۡهَاۚ
[Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people.[2]
And this is a Qur’anic truth experienced by those who dwell under the shade of the Qur’an.
To convey the religion of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, the teaching of the Qur’an in Qur’anic schools and Masjids, and to mobilise people to support the Revolution in the years preceding its victory—and after its victory—while enduring hardships and pressures from religious groups of various sects.
Yes! This is how the lackeys of the rulers, who assert that they govern by the Shari’ah of Allah, confront the teachers and sincere servants of the Book of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and the Sunnah of His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
O those in charge of affairs, who claim to adhere to the constitution which they themselves have drafted!
- Have the people of the Ahlus Sunnah brandished weapons in your faces?
- Is this the respect you grant to the Islamic schools of thought in the constitution?
- Is this the freedom of belief you promised to defend?
- Indeed, we expect nothing less from those about whom Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has said:
يَقُولُونَ بِأَفۡوَٰهِهِم مَّا لَيۡسَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡۚ
Saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts.[3]
O our brothers who struggled alongside your martyrs who adorned the battlefields of Masjids and mountains with their pure blood to establish the judgment of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala on earth, make the prison a school for teaching the Book of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, in compliance with the command of your Lord:
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Then declare what you are commanded.[4]
and establish prayer in ranks as though you are one solid structure. Do this to demonstrate to them that they oppose not you, but the entirety of human history bears just witness that the decadent and arrogant attained what they attained only through deceit, fraud, enticement, and posing as righteous advisors and reformers:
أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَكۡثَرَ مِنۡهُمۡ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةٗ وَءَاثَارٗا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَمَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ
Have they not travelled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than themselves and greater in strength and in impression on the land, but they were not availed by what they used to earn.[5]
Yes, O concerned Muslims! Last night—the night of the 28th of Shawwal—in the dead of night, like every arrogant tyrant who exploits darkness to conceal his crimes and betrayals, the authorities raided the homes of dozens of Muslims in the city of Sanandaj after arresting a number of teachers and students affiliated with the Maktab Qur’an in Kermanshah, Kamyaran, and Bukan. Among the houses they raided was the house of our brother, Mr. Moftizadeh, which is now inhabited by the popular religious governor of the city of Sanandaj, Hasan Amini. From it, they looted all recordings and writings: the seal of the religious court, and many of the books present there, as well as some furniture.
And who are those upon whom they commit these deeds? They are the committed Muslims who strive with all their being against the enemies of Almighty Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, His Noble Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, his Khalifahs, and his honourable Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum.
O Muslims! The assault on houses in the dead of night, their looting, and the terrorising of women and children are their only response to the repeated calls for debate and dialogue to which Mr. Moftizadeh summoned them according to the conditions stated in his other declaration.
In conclusion, we the Ahlus Sunnah—the Maktab Qur’an—declare openly and with full courage to all Muslims: We shall never ever fear this tyrannical, cunning policy. We will confront all forms of harm and persecution, and we will not cease from our duty to convey the Book of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and the Sunnah of His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. We ask Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala to make our feet firm:
ﯲ ﯳ ﯴ ﯵ ﯶ ﯷ ﯸ
Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You we have returned, and to You is the destination.[6]
Sanandaj — Maktab Qur’an, 28/10/1402 AH.
Statement 2
وَيَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلرَّسُولِ وَأَطَعۡنَا ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّىٰ فَرِيقٞ مِّنۡهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَۚ وَمَآ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَإِذَا دُعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ لِيَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ إِذَا فَرِيقٞ مِّنۡهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ
But they [i.e., the hypocrites] say, “We have believed in Allah and in the Messenger, and we obey”; then a party of them turns away after that. And those are not believers. And when they are called to [the words of] Allah and His Messenger to judge between them, at once a party of them turns aside [in refusal].[7]
Indeed, government officials are planning measures beyond the arrests that have encompassed most cities of Kurdistan. For this purpose, they spread rumours and fabricate events.
Therefore, the Maktab Qur’an affirms its position regarding what is rumoured, in adherence to His Exalted Word:
وَذَكِّرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ
And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.[8]
And His Words:
فَإِن زَلَلۡتُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَتۡكُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتُ فَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
But if you slip [i.e., deviate] after clear proofs have come to you, then know that Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.[9]
And His Words:
ٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَٱلۡمَوۡعِظَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةِۖ
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction.[10]
We ask the Exalted Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala to make our intentions, our internal states, our words, and our deeds solely for His Noble Countenance.
We must clarify at the outset that the trustworthy Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, whom Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala sent as a mercy to the worlds, passed through stages during his twenty-year struggle against the enemies of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. These stages have clarified for Muslims the strategy of the Islamic movement.
He would respond to every revelation conveyed to him from his Lord with understanding. He confronted persecution and harm through clear exposition, warning the idolators and giving glad tidings to the believers. He would pass by the family of Yasir radiya Llahu ‘anhum, while they were being tortured, and would do nothing more than smile at them and give them the glad tidings promised by their Lord, saying:
صبرًا يا آل ياسر فإن موعدكم الجنة
Be steadfast, O family of Yasir, for your promised destination is Paradise.[11]
And let those who seek to force us into armed confrontation with them by any means know that they are like one attempting to fish in troubled waters. For we are presently in the first stage of Jihad—that is, learning the Book and conveying it to people. We never deviate even momentarily from the Straight Path and following the Book and Sunnah. Our response to the various deceitful rumours is outlined in the following points:
These days, it is rumoured that followers of Maktab Qur’an in the cities of Kurdistan have declared an armistice. The source of this rumour is not unknown to us. Officials from the Revolutionary Guards and others have wished for this, and some explicitly told our brothers and sisters, “We wish you had declared the armistice during our raid.” Others—whether out of negligence or possibly with other objectives—helped spread this falsehood. Our position was declared by brother Moftizadeh in his latest message, and we remain steadfast in it. It is clearer than the sun at midday: we do not consider armed Jihad obligatory upon us at this stage, and we categorically reject it.
The Revolutionary Guards in Sanandaj have borne their fangs. After arresting Muslims and looting their possessions from their homes, they issued a statement on 1st Dhu al Qa’dah claiming that followers of Maktab Qur’an and secular parties are one and the same. Astoundingly, how can they equate Muslims who fought battles against these ignorant parties and offered tens of martyrs as being equal to them?
Then they threaten the struggling Muslims with destruction and death! Let them know that in this threat and warning, they are like one who returns empty handed. These people whom they are threatening have endured much suffering—both before and after the Revolution—yet they remain unyielding.
O gentlemen! Is the rifle your only response to our just demands that we presented? Or how do you reconcile your claim of faith in the Hereafter with these false accusations? Do you not hear the cry of the Qur’an:
وَيۡلٞ لِّكُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٖ
Woe to every sinful liar.[12]
Will you not be admonished by His Exalted Word:
وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ عَذَابٞ شَدِيدٞ وَمَغۡفِرَةٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضۡوَٰنٞۚ وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡغُرُورِ
And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.[13]
The Markaz al Islami al Kabir did not stand idly. Rather, it proceeded—as is the habit of liars—to fabricate accusations and slanders with which to attack brother Moftizadeh. The people of Iran, especially Kurdistan, know well his struggle against the Shah’s regime and his adherence to the Qur’an and Sunnah. The officials of the Markaz declared that brother Moftizadeh is a hypocrite and an agent for foreigners.
Our response to this is to call these scholars to adhere to the Book of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and heed His Mighty Word:
إِذۡ تَبَرَّأَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتُّبِعُواْ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُواْ وَرَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ وَتَقَطَّعَتۡ بِهِمُ ٱلۡأَسۡبَابُ
[And they should consider that] when those who have been followed disassociate themselves from those who followed [them], and they [all] see the punishment, and cut off from them are the ties [of relationship].[14]
And let them fear this warning that shakes hearts:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡتُمُونَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَيَشۡتَرُونَ بِهِۦ ثَمَنٗا قَلِيلًا أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ مَا يَأۡكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمۡ إِلَّا ٱلنَّارَ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمۡ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Indeed, they who conceal what Allah has sent down of the Book and exchange it for a small price – those consume not into their bellies except the Fire. And Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. And they will have a painful punishment.[15]
Added to all this is strange whispers and movements indicating that the oppressors are preparing to impose a religious leader and a state-appointed cleric—as was done in the past—upon the deprived people of Kurdistan. This is to further humiliate the Ahlus Sunnah and exploit them for illegitimate goals. Let them know that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala lies in wait for them:
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And they [i.e., the disbelievers] planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.[16]
They have spread rumours that the followers of Maktab Qur’an have formed a front with secular parties and that this front has begun using weapons against the government. As for us, we declare: The basis for any alliance or party against another is shared ideology and creed. This means it would be impossible for us to have an agreement with secular parties.
The authorities arrested individuals who have no connection whatsoever to Maktab Qur’an. The purpose behind this is to serve the rumours they propagate and their eagerness to tarnish the reputation of those affiliated with Maktab Qur’an.
Perhaps through what we have mentioned, the dimensions of the conspiracy and the conspirators have been exposed. We seek refuge in Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala that these schemes might appear as rebellion against the values of the Revolution!
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And do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.[17]
They hope that, today, we would be more vigorous in defending the Revolution, whose injustice toward us increases day by day, than we were in the past.
As for you, O Guardians[18], those who spare no effort in defending the Revolution! O Friends who shed their blood here and there! O sons of the Revolution, reflect! Consider who are those that inflame your fervent, blind feelings?
Is this why you sacrificed and shed blood, so that the Noble Qur’an could be trampled under the boots of the Revolutionary Guards themselves? Did you make sacrifices so that a worshipper could be flogged until losing consciousness, only regaining it after hours? [Reference to events in Kamyaran city; details documented in a statement by Maktab Qur’an – Kamyaran Branch.]
O Friends! The only crime that we committed is demanding that the authorities respect all Islamic schools of thought and implement the Book of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in resolving inevitable disagreements among us—in response to His Exalted Word:
ﯯ ﯰ ﯱ ﯲ ﯳ ﯴ ﯵ ﯶ
And in anything over which you disagree – its ruling is [to be referred] to Allah.[19]
How can hesitation and neglect in this be permissible, when you know that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has undertaken to preserve His Book from alteration, distortion, and nullification?
O Friends! Truly, the war between followers of different religious schools is the deepest-rooted of wars. We have repeatedly warned against this and falling into it. So, beware of prophesying the sins of those who come after us. Instead, we wish to fulfil our duty to revive the values for which the Revolution initially stood. And together, we will expose those who monopolised the Revolution—those who transgressed against us and violated the limits set by Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.
In conclusion: We call upon all Muslims to recognise the correctness of the position we have taken regarding the government’s measures. Let everyone know that brother Moftizadeh and Maktab Qur’an have invited those in charge—who claim they seek the truth—though they are truly the ones who harm the religion of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.
Brother Moftizadeh invited them to resolve the dispute by any method they choose. He proposed debating over radio with the people as arbiters, or debating before any assembly of their peers. Finally, he called them to mubahalah[20]. O people, ask the authorities: if there is no prepared conspiracy, why do they fear debate or mubahalah? Are the arrest and persecution of innocent Muslims their only response to all we demanded from them? We shall confront them on the Day about which Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
يَوۡمَ لَا تَمۡلِكُ نَفۡسٞ لِّنَفۡسٖ شَيۡـٔٗاۖ وَٱلۡأَمۡرُ يَوۡمَئِذٖ لِّلَّهِ
It is the Day when a soul will not possess for another soul [power to do] a thing; and the command, that Day, is [entirely] with Allah.[21]
Peace be upon those who heed the word and follow the best of it.
Sanandaj — Maktab Qur’an: 04/11/1402 AH.
Statement 3
ﯯ ﯰ ﯱ ﯲ ﯳ ﯴ ﯵ ﯷ ﯸ ﯹ ﯺ ﯻ ﯼ ﯽ ﯾ ﯿ
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those
O Muslims of Kurdistan:
On Tuesday, 04/11/1402 AH, a statement was issued in the name of the Association of Religious Scholars of Kurdistan. It was broadcasted on radio and television, in which they described the Muslim preachers—Maktab Qur’an—as hypocrites and agents of America and the secular parties. They further claimed “they do not belong to any Islamic school—neither Shia nor Ahlus Sunnah. Their sole practice is to incite discord and serve their foreign masters.”
We would never have imagined that the religious scholars of Kurdistan would reach such a level of religious weakness as to issue this statement replete with slanders and lies. Nor have we forgotten that a similar statement was issued in their name before this occasion—issued by the so-called Markaz al Islami al Kabir. This makes it imperative that Muslims do not remain silent about this abomination. How can free people stay silent when their brothers—those committed to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam—are accused of such allegations and slanders? Indeed, no believer who fears Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and desires to avoid His punishment would utter such accusations.
It is not befitting for the Markaz al Islami al Kabir to blow the horn of sedition among Muslims and pursue a divide and rule policy. Let them favour us by answering the following question:
Are the religious scholars of Kurdistan truly responsible for spreading these slanders? If so, why was not a single one of their names mentioned at the end of the statement? If they are truthful, let them declare those who endorse these lies so that people may know them! Let Muslims know that the authorities will intensify their scheming and they will enlist those with weak souls. Their aggression will not stop at this limit. Let those heedless of their Lord’s remembrance know that we stand firm by His Exalted Word:
قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَآ إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوۡلَىٰنَاۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ
Say, “Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.” And upon Allah let the believers rely.[23]
And peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.
Sanandaj — Maktab Qur’an: 05/11/1402 AH.
Statement 4
لَّا يُحِبُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡجَهۡرَ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا
Allah does not like the public mention of evil except by one who has been wronged. And ever is Allah Hearing and Knowing.[24]
Days ago, the regime’s enforcers raided our home. In the dark depths of night, they seized the heads of the household and their children, taking them to prisons. We approached the officials responsible for these detention facilities to inquire about the reasons for arrest and ensure the safety of our relatives. Their responses were evasive and contradictory:
Once they said, “We don’t know.” Another time, “Their crimes are unknown to us.” A third time, “We have our reasons for their arrest—and that suffices.”
We, the families of detainees, have the right to pose this question to the officials:
O gentlemen! Your constitution—which you claim to uphold—states, “It is impermissible to detain an accused person for more than twenty-four hours without legal justification. He must be informed of the charges against him before the expiry of this period.”
And now, multiples of this period have passed, yet you have not disclosed the reasons. Do you fear disgrace and exposure because you claim with your tongues to be champions of faith, yet you arrest innocent, pure preachers—those whose truthfulness and integrity are attested to by the Muslim people of Kurdistan? Have you considered for a single moment whether those who claim to establish justice and equality can possibly be permitted to terrorise and arrest committed Muslims who adhere to the Book of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and the Sunnah of His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam?
How do you reconcile two contradictory matters: claiming religiosity for Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and defending the faith on the one hand, while imprisoning and harming believers on the other? Or do you reckon that the people are unaware? Ask yourselves: how can you speak of the oppressed in the world, while you deny their rights and oppress and violate the rights of Ahlus Sunnah in Iran?
What will you say when some people from the Ahlus Sunnah travel across Allah’s vast earth and tell their brothers about your oppression, your aggressions, your prisons, and your brutality? What will you say—while you fear this matter most intensely? With what will you respond, when your media apparatuses claim that you make no distinction between Sunni and Shia?
Where are you when the Shia Muslims—who follow you across the world—see the scandals of your rule and your plots, and disassociate themselves from you, putting an end to your crimes? Do you not see the evil fate of the system you yourselves contributed to? And what distance is there between you and the fate of the hated previous system? Do you not take warning? The fate of that detested former system is not far from you.
Finally, do you not remember Allah and the Day of Judgment, having filled the prisons with those who call to Allah? And what will be your answer on the Day you stand before the Most Just of Judges? Have you not awakened from your heedlessness for a moment and observed what has become of the tyrants who bartered the Hereafter for the life of this world? You should then fear that Day on which there will be no shelter for the criminals!
إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتۡ مِرۡصَادٗا لِّلطَّٰغِينَ مَـَٔابٗا لَّٰبِثِينَ فِيهَآ أَحۡقَابٗا
Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait, for the transgressors, a place of return, in which they will remain for ages [unending].[25]
In conclusion: We, the families of the weary detainees, stand for the Book of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and the Sunnah of His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. We demand from the authorities to release our dear ones who are imprisoned, and to cease these conspiracies and false accusations. Peace be upon those who follow guidance.
Sanandaj — Families of the imprisoned: 07/11/1402 AH.
Statement 5
O Muslims:
Undoubtedly, you recall the tireless efforts of brother Moftizadeh and his repeated calls to debate officials through his letters and statements. His final invitation to them was for mubahalah (mutual imprecation)—this being the last step we took with the evaders who deny the truth despite knowing it. Brother Moftizadeh was intensely committed to resolving the regime’s problem with the Ahlus Sunnah. To this end, he demanded that the Constitution must comply with Islamic standards and be free of discriminatory injustices—whether sectarian, ethnic, or class-based. He also sought to establish a Consultative Council of those in Authority.
You are well aware of the calamities and tribulations that befell him and those with him. For this reason, he chose to emigrate from his birthplace to put an end to the fabrications and lies of the regime and the ignorant parties. We don’t believe that you have forgotten the plots and conspiracies of the former intelligence apparatus—SAVAK—against him and the Ahlus Sunnah, and their insistence on oppressing them. All of you recall the incident of raiding his home. In summary: Brother Moftizadeh’s life was filled with events and replete with conspiracies. By Allah’s grace upon him and us, He—Glorified and Exalted—protected him from all evil and granted him the capability to continue striving in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.
We informed you in our previous statements that the authorities arrested dozens of our brothers two weeks ago in many cities of Kurdistan, and insist on not charging them or bringing them to trial, and prevented their families from visiting them. All this violates provisions of their own constitution, including the text stating, “The accused must be informed of the charges against them before twenty-four hours elapse…” [Article 32, Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1979).]
Moreover, the authorities have arrested brother Moftizadeh, seizing him from his home at high noon on Monday, 10 Dhu al Qa’dah. They took him to an unknown location, with no announcement made regarding this arrest or its reasons.
O brothers and sisters! Maintain composure and do not undertake any action that contradicts the strategic objectives of our movement. Seek help in Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and be steadfast. Urge one another to restrain the aggression of the religion’s enemies who manifest in every guise.
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So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.[26]
We entrust you to Allah’s care, and peace be upon you with the mercy of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and His blessings.
Sanandaj — Maktab Qur’an: 11/11/1402 AH.
Statement 6
بَلِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَهۡوَآءَهُم بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٖۖ فَمَن يَهۡدِي مَنۡ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُۖ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ
But those who wrong follow their [own] desires without knowledge. Then who can guide one whom Allah has sent astray? And for them there are no helpers.[27]
إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقّٞۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلۡغَرُورُ
Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver [i.e., Shaitan].[28]
Three government ministers visited our city. The people assumed that those in authority have admitted their error in neglecting attention to the events unfolding in the region, and their evasion of holding officials accountable for their regrettable positions and their persecution of the preachers of Islam from the Ahlus Sunnah.
The oppressed and marginalised seized this occasion. The families of detainees and the followers of Maktab Qur’an marched peacefully towards the provincial headquarters to expose the injustices committed against the Ahlus Sunnah. The provincial guards intercepted the gathering and demanded they disperse. The governor was forced to meet the march’s representatives when the crowd refused to disperse and insisted on meeting the ministers. It must be noted that it was the governor who met the representatives–not the ministers. Thus, the opponent became the judge!
The governor confronted this gathering of women and men with arrogance and contempt. He arrested three representatives of this march, while contenting himself with insulting the fourth sister—violating all Islamic standards and even humanitarian norms.
These anti-Islamic measures are but repetitions of the positions of tyrannical oppressors throughout human history. They only increase us in conviction of the justice of our demands and resolve to defend Islam through our words and deeds. Therefore, we have chosen Sunday, 15/12/1402 AH, to assemble at the provincial headquarters. We shall ask the governor—who ought to be a servant of the people—about the detainees who have been imprisoned for nearly two months. We will register our protest against his handling of the march and his arrest of its representatives, and demand their release.
However, the bomb explosion incident on Naser Khosrow Street in Tehran on the night of 13/12/1402 AH (in which innocent resistance members were among the victims), meant we had to postpone this march to another date, while informing the Iranian Muslims of this development, out of caution against the deceit of state authorities and others and their plotting against us. We shall continue our path—the path of da’wah, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and seeking the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.
Peace be upon you with the mercy of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and His blessings.
Sanandaj – Maktab Qur’an: 15/12/1402 AH.
Statement 7
To Mr. Musawi, Representative of the Revolutionary Leader in Kurdistan and Mr. Asgharinya, Governor of Kurdistan.
We address you in your capacity as the officials responsible for everything that happens in Kurdistan, and we remind you of the following:
Remember the day Cain killed his brother Abel, that is, the day when injustice and oppression began on the face of the earth. Torture was one of the means used by the criminals, the enemies of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, against His believing, monotheist servants.
لَئِن لَّمۡ تَنتَهُواْ لَنَرۡجُمَنَّكُمۡ وَلَيَمَسَّنَّكُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ
If you do not desist, we will surely stone you, and there will surely touch you, from us, a painful punishment.[29]
And remember the day when the wrongdoers humiliated the believers and cast them into the Fire.
وَمَا نَقَمُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ
And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.[30]
And remember the day when Pharaoh’s magicians believed, those whom he had hired to spread corruption and misguidance. They believed in Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise, and preferred the Hereafter over this worldly life. So, Pharaoh threatened them, saying, as our Exalted and Most High has told us:
لَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيۡدِيَكُمۡ وَأَرۡجُلَكُم مِّنۡ خِلَٰفٖ ثُمَّ لَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ
I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides; then I will surely crucify you all.[31]
And remember the day when the Companions of the Cave felt fear from the transgressing oppressors:
ﯱ ﯲ ﯳ ﯴ ﯵ ﯶ ﯷ ﯸ ﯹ ﯺ ﯻ ﯼ ﯽ
Indeed, if they come to know of you, they will stone you or return you to their religion. And never would you succeed, then, ever.[32]
And remember the day when the disbelievers of the Quraysh placed massive stones upon the pure chest of Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu so they would not hear his resounding cry: “Ahad! Ahad!” [And remember when…, and remember when…][33]
Whoever contemplates these recurring events knows that torture has been the weapon of Allah’s enemies against His believing, monotheist servants. Thus, in these days, under a government that claims to be like the government of the First Era, yet whose architects refuse to let their rule be compared to that of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum, for they deem themselves superior and higher in rank. Under this regime, people hear the screams of the tortured in these tyrants’ prisons from afar, while also hearing the celebratory shouts of “Allahu Akbar!” by hired celebrants—their cries mingling with the words of the criminal tormentors.
Did you know that among these tortured prisoners are members of the Maktab Qur’an who adhere firmly to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam? Those whom figures of the regime have long testified to as being truthful and sincere. If this is your treatment of those whom you yourselves attest are truthful and pious, how then would you treat those whom you testify against?
We do not know what Musawi, Asgharinya, and others will say to the tender-hearted mother as she receives the blood-soaked clothes of her believing son! Nor do we know what they will say when the torture has reached such an extent that even the Revolutionary Guards cannot deny it!
And we do not know how they justify their clear violation of the Constitution, which states in Article 38, “Torture shall not be permissible to extract confessions or obtain information, nor to compel a person to testify, confess, or swear an oath. Any testimony, confession, or oath obtained through such means is inadmissible. Violators of this article shall be punished according to law.”
Truly, the conduct of these individuals is astonishing!
Do you ever feel responsible, even once? Do you ever weigh your words, even once? Yet here we are, issuing statement after statement lamenting the arrogance of your provincial governor who arrested representatives of the detainees’ families—merely for asking, “Where are our family heads? Why did you arrest them? What have they done?” As the Persian proverb says: if the ruler eats an apple from his subjects’ orchard, his guards will uproot the trees! Do you imagine this worldly life to be ever-lasting for you? So, travel through the land and observe the fate of those who denied the truth and went astray. Look upon your own actions and positions, then tell us: what difference is there between you and the enemies of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala?
Finally, if you doubt our words, then present our detained brothers before us. Gather people to witness the marks of torture on their bodies…. If you refuse to comply with our demand, know that you fear exposure… and that your faces will blacken with shame.
Peace be upon the righteous servants of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.
Sanandaj – Maktab Qur’an, 14/01/1403 AH.
Statement 8
O Officials:
Know that our successive appeals and repeated letters do not stem from fear of you taking harmful actions against us nor from the desire for favours you might grant us. No, it is not so. We fear none but Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and ask nothing from any besides Him. Beyond this, our raised heads bow to none and prostrate only before Allah, the One, the Subduer. This is the covenant we made with Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. This is our conviction in the obligation of enjoining good and forbidding evil. This is the essence of our adherence to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and his noble Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهَٰجِرِينَ وَٱلۡأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحۡسَٰنٖ رَّضِيَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمۡ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي تَحۡتَهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدٗاۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ
And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajirun and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.[34]
In this statement, we address three measures you have taken against us:
1. The arrest of Ustadh Moftizadeh, leader of the Ahlus Sunnah in Iran, without stating the reasons for this action. This occurred at a time when you announced that Mr. Shariatmadari supported a conspiracy aimed at overthrowing the regime and assassinating the Revolution’s leader—yet he was neither arrested nor subjected to any strict measures. Meanwhile, Ustadh Moftizadeh was not complicit in any conspiracy nor did he seek to assassinate the Revolution’s leader; he did not even permit disrespect toward him.
What then explains this disparity in your treatment of Moftizadeh versus Shariatmadari? Is this not a manifestation of your abhorrent and erroneous stance toward the Ahlus Sunnah? The first—though innocent—you arrested because he is Sunni, while the latter—despite your condemnation of him—faced no consequences because he is Shia!
Just who is this person you have arrested?
Is he not the one who called the Ahlus Sunnah to stand with you and support your Revolution—a call heeded by over half of Iran’s Sunnis?
Is he not the one who repeatedly declared his readiness to debate you publicly—when you broke your promises to him and other Sunnis—to demonstrate before all people the soundness of his position and legitimacy of his demands?
Is he not the one who announced his willingness to perform mubahalah (mutual imprecation) with you? This was his final recourse to confront you, yet you ignored his call, fearing worse relations.
2. The arrest of the popular Shar’i judge of Sanandaj city, along with numerous Qur’an teachers and members of the Maktab Qur’an throughout Iran. Your agents subjected these honourable, respected individuals to the vilest insults and accused them of disbelief—not to mention the various forms of torture and persecution inflicted upon them within the prisons. Such treatment could never emanate from a heart possessing even an atom’s weight of faith. Yet you—the men in power—claim to be believing mujahidun and label your system, “The system of governance by what Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has revealed.”
3. The agents and officials in the region spared no effort in mistreating the families of detainees—those suffering afflictions from the arrest of their breadwinners. Among these actions: the governor, with utter arrogance and hubris, arrested three representatives of the detainees’ families and employed threats. Revolution-affiliated military vehicles dispersed the ranks of the silent procession. Authorities flooded the area abundantly and prevented detainees’ families from visiting them. The conduct of the representative of the Revolution’s leader was no better than that of others.
So, tell us plainly: What do you want, and why do you employ these shameful methods? Do you not know that this world will be followed by the Hour of Judgment?
à ﰏ â ﰑ ﰒ ﰓ ﰔ ç è
It will be, on the Day they see it, as though they had not remained [in the world] except for an afternoon or a morning thereof.[35]
And our master ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu describes it (the world) as follows:
ما أصف من دار أولها عناء وآخرها فناء
في حلالها حساب وفى حرامها عقاب
من استغنى فيها فتن ومن افتقر فيها حزن
ومن ساعاها فاتته ومن قعد عنها واتته
ومن أبصر عنها بصرته ومن أبصر إليها أعمته
What a transient abode this world is! Its beginning is hardship; its end is annihilation.
In its lawful [pursuits] lies accountability; in its forbidden [pursuits] lies punishment.
Whoever grows wealthy in it is tested; whoever is impoverished in it grieves.
Whoever pursues it is ruined; whoever abandons it attains salvation.
Whoever sees through it gains insight; whoever looks to it is blinded.[36]
Is this fleeting abode worth committing all these sins and injustices to attain?
You remind them of Allah’s words:
قَدۡ خَسِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِلِقَآءِ ٱللَّهِۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَتۡهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغۡتَةٗ قَالُواْ يَٰحَسۡرَتَنَا عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطۡنَا فِيهَا وَهُمۡ يَحۡمِلُونَ أَوۡزَارَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِمۡۚ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَزِرُونَ
Those will have lost who deny the meeting with Allah, until when the Hour [of resurrection] comes upon them unexpectedly, they will say, “Oh, [how great is] our regret over what we neglected concerning it [i.e., the Hour],” while they bear their burdens [i.e., sins] on their backs. Unquestionably, evil is that which they bear.[37]
But how could they possibly take heed?
All praise is due to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and peace be upon His chosen servants.
Sanandaj – Maktab Qur’an: 13/02/1403 AH.
Statement 9
وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُواْۚ ٱعۡدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ
And do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is [fully] Aware of what you do.[38]
Mr. Prosecutor General:
The principle al darurah tubihu al mahzurat[39] (necessities permit prohibitions), established through texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah, justifies our writing to you, for we have become prisoners of your regime. Our crime—for which you imprisoned us—was objecting to certain articles in your constitution that have shattered hopes, institutionalised sectarianism, and created a wide rift among the sons of the single Ummah.
In our objection to your constitution, we sought neither material gain nor status, nor did we intend harm to the Revolution. We acted solely out of commitment to the purified Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. You are well aware of the luminous record of our positions and cannot deny our struggle against the former tyrannical regime.
ﯼ ﯽ ﯾ
And sufficient is Allah as Witness.[40]
Nor can you ignore our steadfast stance against enemies who sought to spread sedition and propagate doubts. As you know, the authorities’ response was dismissal, humiliation, termination from governmental departments and institutions, exile, and imprisonment.
We mention this story from the era of the Khilafah Rashidah, lest you imagine we consider your regime un-Islamic or expect you to emulate the al Khulafa’ al Rashidun. Such an assumption would be unjust and a grave sin. Rather, we narrate this story to awaken you to the truth.
Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam must not let arrogance in sin prevent him from accepting truth when called to righteousness. The story is as follows: Amir al Mu’minin, the pure and just ‘Umar ibn al Khattab radiya Llahu ‘anhu, delivered a sermon declaring, “Do not exceed forty ounces of silver for women’s dowries. Whoever exceeds this by one ounce, I will confiscate the excess for the public treasury.”
A woman protested, “What authority do you have to do this?”
He asked, “Why do you say that?”
She replied, “Because Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَإِنۡ أَرَدتُّمُ ٱسۡتِبۡدَالَ زَوۡجٖ مَّكَانَ زَوۡجٖ وَءَاتَيۡتُمۡ إِحۡدَىٰهُنَّ قِنطَارٗا فَلَا تَأۡخُذُواْ مِنۡهُ شَيۡـًٔاۚ أَتَأۡخُذُونَهُۥ بُهۡتَٰنٗا وَإِثۡمٗا مُّبِينٗ
But if you want to replace one wife with another and you have given one of them a great amount [in gifts], do not take [back] from it anything. Would you take it in injustice and manifest sin?[41]
‘Umar responded, “A woman is correct and ‘Umar is incorrect.”
What have we said or done that you arrested us and left us to spend our lives in the corners of your prisons? How do you punish those who critique a constitution calling for the division of the Ummah, yet fail to punish those who authored this constitution?
Truly, we do not know by what standards you measure your thoughts and actions. Are they the standards of the Qur’an and Sunnah, Nahj al Balaghah, the Constitution, the statements of the Revolution’s leader, or merely your own whims and desires?
We are prepared to demonstrate from sources agreed upon by all Muslims that your stance towards us—the Ahlus Sunnah—contradicts the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Indeed, some of your actions even violate the standards of Jafari jurisprudence. For instance, an investigator interrogating one of our imprisoned brothers justified his harshness by claiming he was applying the meaning of Allah’s word:
‘ ( ) * +
Forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.[42]
This investigator explicitly alleged that we—the Ahlus Sunnah—are disbelievers and that he and his ilk are those to whom Allah’s description applies:
! ” # % &
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him…[43]
Anyone who labels us disbelievers possesses not the slightest knowledge of Islam’s true nature or of disbelief. He is not qualified to merely repeat what he is told. Such is the stance of those who claim to govern “by what Allah has revealed”!
They claim, “Moftizadeh insulted high-ranking officials.”
The response is: Firstly, for two years, our brother Moftizadeh declared through his letters and articles his readiness to publicly debate officials and establish proof against them before the people. Finally, he invited them to mubahalah—even though Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala had granted him a single son. The response from authorities was defamation and imprisonment. Secondly, if Moftizadeh’s crime was insulting officials—as you claim—then you have subjected him and those around him to unjust, oppressive insults through your media apparatus, whereas he possesses no media platform. Was this not sufficient for you over two years? And you who recite in Allah’s Book:
وَجَزَٰٓؤُاْ سَيِّئَةٖ سَيِّئَةٞ مِّثۡلُهَاۖ
And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it.[44]
So then: Why imprisonment when you claim to have repaid his alleged offense tenfold!?
Mr. Attorney General:
Imagine yourself standing as attorney general on the Day of Resurrection. Answer us:
- With what charges will you accuse those who branded the foremost men among the Sahabah of the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as apostates, liars, and hypocrites?
- With what charges will you accuse those who label the forerunners among the Muhajirin and Ansar—those with whom Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is pleased, for whom He has prepared gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally—as communists?
- With what charges will you accuse those who slandered Umm al Mu’minin Aisha radiya Llahu ‘anhu—with the same falsehood propagated by hypocrites during the era of the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam? She is the wife of the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, yet they cast behind their backs the verses revealed by Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in Surah al Nur which affirm her innocence!
Mr. Attorney General:
If enjoining good and forbidding evil is a crime, then we are criminals and we are prepared to accept any punishment that pleases Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. But if enjoining good is not a crime, then why do you insist on our arrest—which occurred on 28/10/1402 AH? Why have you stripped us of our freedom and persecuted our families?
We conclude this letter by advising and reminding you to fear Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and urge us all to hold ourselves accountable before the Almighty Allah holds us to account. Let every one of us ask: to which of the two groups will he belong? Will he be among those with radiant, joyful faces who are given their record in their right hand or among those with gloomy, despairing faces? Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَوُضِعَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبُ فَتَرَى ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ مُشۡفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَٰوَيۡلَتَنَا مَالِ هَٰذَا ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةٗ وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّآ أَحۡصَىٰهَاۚ
And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, “Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?”[45]
O Mr. Attorney General:
Know that worldly dominance and power, if not employed in service of governance by what Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has revealed, will become a calamity upon its holders.
O Mr. Attorney General:
كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلۡمَوۡتِۗ
Every soul will taste death.[46]
وَمَا يُدۡرِيكَ لَعَلَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ تَكُونُ قَرِيبًا
And what may make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.[47]
Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.
Signed by fourteen Muslim prisoners from Branch D of the Revolutionary Court.
NEXT⇒ Addendum to the two aforementioned letters
[1] Surah al Buruj: 10.
[2] Surah al Rum: 30.
[3] Surah Al ‘Imran: 167.
[4] Surah al Hijr: 94.
[5] Surah al Ghafir: 82.
[6] Surah al Mumtahanah: 4.
[7] Surah al Nur: 47-48.
[8] Surah al Dhariyat: 55.
[9] Surah al Baqarah: 209.
[10] Surah al Nahl: 125.
[11] Al Mujam al Awsat, Hadith: 1508.
[12] Surah al Jathiyah: 7.
[13] Surah al Hadid: 20.
[14] Surah al Baqarah: 166.
[15] Surah al Baqarah: 174.
[16] Surah Al ‘Imran: 54.
[17] Surah al Ma’idah: 8.
[18] A reference to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.
[19] Surah al Shura: 10.
[20] A mutual imprecation where two parties in a dispute, both claiming truth, invoke the curse of Allah upon the offending party.
[21] Surah al Infitar: 19.
[22] Surah al Isra’: 36.
[23] Surah al Tawbah: 51.
[24] Surah al Nisa’: 148.
[25] Surah al Naba’: 21-23.
[26] Surah Al ‘Imran: 139.
[27] Surah al Rum: 29.
[28] Surah al Fatir: 5.
[29] Surah Yasin: 18.
[30] Surah al Buruj: 8.
[31] Surah al A’raf: 124.
[32] Surah al Kahf: 20.
[33] Here the author uses this phrase twice as a device to impress upon the reader that there are so many examples of that which he is writing about, that he could go on ad nauseam.
[34] Surah al Tawbah: 100.
[35] Surah al Nazi’at: 46.
[36] Nahj al Balaghah, sermon: 2761.
[37] Surah al An’am: 31.
[38] Surah al Ma’idah: 8.
[39] A legal maxim (qa’idah fiqhiyyah) in Islamic Jurisprudence. This principle explains how in dire circumstances, things normally deemed impermissible become permissible. One example of such a situation is the eating of pork to stave off impending death from starvation.
[40] Surah al Fath: 28.
[41] Surah al Nisa’: 20.
[42] Surah al Fath: 29.
[43] Ibid.
[44] Surah al Shura: 40.
[45] Surah al Kahf: 49.
[46] Surah Al ‘Imran: 185.
[47] Surah al Ahzab: 63.