These days, I’ve been receiving more “kindness” and “attention” from supporters of the leadership—at least I presume so—within the virtual space. Most of the letters sent to me, or rather most of these threats, begin with the phrase: “Shimr was also disabled.” The beginning of their letters with this sentence indicates that, in their logic, there is a definitive presumption that Ayatollah Khamenei occupies the position of an infallible Imam.
For instance, they start with Ayatollah Khamenei as Imam Hussein and, based on this assumption, advance their attack. As they proceed, they crush and annihilate any person or figure whose thoughts differ from theirs and whose words do not align with their logic, accusing them of opposing the Imam of the Time.
However, even if their assumption is correct, history testifies that the methods of the Prophet (PBUH) and Imam Ali (AS) during their reigns never involved silencing all voices save the ruler’s and those praising him, suffocating the rest, locking the mouths of dissenters, or cunningly removing opponents from the scene. If they had done so, their infallibility would have been in question. Separate from the practices of the Infallibles (Peace Be Upon Them), sound reasoning also rejects such governance, a method now obsolete in most countries except a few dictatorships like North Korea or regions under ISIS’s control. In other nations, especially western developed ones, one must search through historical texts to find similar instances.
Another point I want to brotherly remind my dear brothers is that if you intend to draw historical parallels with early Islam from now on, try always to compare Ayatollah Khamenei’s era with that of Imam Ali (AS), and never attempt to compare it with Imam Hussein (AS). In comparison, when you match one era with another from a political standpoint, at first glance, “ruler with ruler” is compared. Thus, you see that the result of this comparison is not at all favorable, and with this act, inadvertently and without intending insult, you’ve aligned your favored individual with a notorious character in history.
Likewise, for the same reason, refrain from comparing today’s era with that of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) since the prominent feature of that period is his prolonged imprisonment as a critic or opponent of the ruling government.
Nine other Imams remain, and I leave you free to compare Ayatollah Khamenei with those Infallible Imams. If you find something in historical texts to utilize, I have no objection to your using them.
In the coming days, I might share some of these letters that are sent to me with you all, notifying you of their mindset via the channel. But I wish they had the courage to write with a clear and real name, with an identifiable identity, and take responsibility for their actions.
Mohammad Mahdavifar
Deminer and Diver of the Sacred Defense
April 14, 2016 [Gregorian: April 14, 2016]