**The Speech of the Leader, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim

**The Speech of the Leader, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim:

American Arrogance and the Global Position**

On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, His Eminence the Leader, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, participated in the student mobilization event of Sharif University in Tehran, titled “We Remain Loyal to the Covenant,” held on the occasion of the “Day of Confronting Arrogance.”

The event was attended by “Major General Mohammad Reza Naghdi” along with a number of political and student figures, and Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem sent a written message.

Ayatollah Qassim’s message was titled: American Arrogance and the Global Position. This is its text:

—

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
Bless you, and bless your efforts. May God support you, guide your steps, and increase your strength and desire for striving in His path.

Power in a human being often becomes a source of vanity and arrogance, pushing him beyond the boundaries of his actual reality and true capabilities. It may deceive him with an imagined greatness unattainable by any other human being, a greatness no ambition could reach—until he behaves as the Qur’an described Pharaoh when he said to his people: “I am your supreme lord.” He then demands for himself the right of lordship, imposing obligations upon others that none may impose except the true exalted Lord, the Source of all goodness and the sole Repeller of evil.

Such arrogance is one of the gravest forms of spiritual illness and the most dangerous type of madness, drowning its possessor—and all those affected by his influence and authority—in calamities, suffering, humiliation, and misery. Today, the world suffers from this rampant arrogance that spreads its evil and burning fire across the entire globe, originating from America through the policies led by Trump, his party, his supporters, and his agents.

The Almighty says: “Indeed, man transgresses when he sees himself self-sufficient.” A distorted perception arises within a person—believing he no longer needs God because of the power granted to him as a test. He then transgresses, behaves arrogantly, and becomes deluded with a false sense of unlimited power, though there is no power except through God, the Most High, the Most Great.

This feeling of self-sufficiency from God is, in itself, ignorance, delusion, and tyranny. It is also a starting point for even more arrogance, corruption, and oppression upon the earth.

—

The Global Position Toward Arrogance

The global stance toward arrogance can be examined on two levels:

1. The practical level—what is actually occurring in real-world actions, whether right or wrong.

2. The level of what reason, rationality, religion, ethics, justice, the necessity of preserving life, values, dignity, and human brotherhood all demand.

On the first level, positions vary due to differences in insight, superficiality, foresight, cowardice, strength of will, apathy, courage, hesitation, and other personal traits.

Concerning global governments, authorities, peoples, parties, and various entities, their positions toward arrogant aggression range between:

Allegiance to arrogance—a crime against oneself and others, and a direct participation in aggression.

Emotional disavowal without practical action—ineffective.

Silence and disregard of danger—a sign of shortsightedness or an escape from reality in search of comfort whose consequences are dire.

Watching passively as disasters befall others—whether brothers in faith, humanity, nationality, or kinship—out of hope for personal safety.

All such positions are base and fallen, reflecting betrayal, abandonment of duty, and withdrawal from responsibility.

—

The only sound and legitimate stance—approved by reason, called for by religion, demanded by dignity and honor, required by moral and human brotherhood, global security, shared interest, and innate human nature—is:

Initiating and hastening to unite all capable forces in a collective word that supports truth, peace, and justice on earth.

This must be paired with all effective, rational means to halt the political and military aggression originating from America and Zionism, an aggression driving the world toward a global earthquake that would destroy productive civilization and valuable human heritage.

As for armed confrontation with unrestrained arrogant expansion—destroying every foundational pillar of religion and eternal human values, without which neither life nor human souls nor societies can flourish—this is the last remedy, resorted to only to avoid greater losses and preserve sanctities.

—

Islam’s Position on Confronting Arrogance

As for the question regarding Islam’s stance on resisting arrogance in all its arenas and at all times, there is no need to search for the answer. It is an absolute and inevitable divine obligation.

This is clearly stated by Qur’anic verses concerning jihad, defense, enjoining good, forbidding evil, sacrifice, and martyrdom; and demonstrated by the practical example of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), the Imams after him, their faithful companions, and righteous scholars throughout the ages until today.

Therefore:

Let education instill the spirit of martyrdom and love for sacrifice.

Let generosity in giving wealth and blood for God’s cause be serious, powerful, and well-directed.

Let the memory of martyrs be honored and their status elevated, for this strengthens the movement of jihad, protects the community, and brings mercy to all humanity.

—

Quranic Verses and Prophetic Teachings

Let us read some verses and noble sayings for deeper insight and stronger determination:

Al Imran 3:169: “Do not think of those who are killed in the path of God as dead; they are alive with their Lord, receiving sustenance.”

Al-Tawbah 9:12: “If they break their oaths after their covenant and attack your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief…”
Those who wage war on God and His Messenger, attack believers, spread corruption, and seek to extinguish religion—they are truly the leaders of disbelief described in this verse.

Al-Tawbah 9:24: If love for family, wealth, or worldly comfort becomes stronger than love for God, His Messenger, and striving in His cause—“then wait until God brings His command…”
A believer’s relationship with jihad must rise above mere obligation or weariness to the level of love and passion.

Al-Tawbah 9:41: “Go forth, light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of God…”

Believing hearts know with certainty that striving in God’s path is better than anything this world contains.

—

Prophetic Teachings

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said:

“The deeds of all servants, compared to the deeds of those who strive in the path of God, are like the beak of a bird compared to the water of the sea.”

“Dust encountered in the path of God shall never coexist with the smoke of Hell.”
Even a little dust that settles on a fighter’s body is enough to save him from Hell.

Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) narrated:
A man told the Prophet he was eager for jihad. He replied:
“Then strive in the path of God. If you are killed, you will be alive with God, receiving sustenance. If you die naturally, your reward will be upon God. And if you return, you will return free of sin.”

This is the least of its rewards, and with safety it means returning without sin.

—

May God forgive me and you.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God