Imam Khomeini's Decree

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Headquarters for the Investigation of Judicial and Administrative Violations: Recently, I have examined several books presented as religious questions and Islamic ideology, and I am deeply saddened by what is presented in these books and similar pamphlets in the name of Islam, this constructive divine religion, for public selection, and they have been used as the standard for acceptance or rejection of individuals. These writings, filled with irrelevant questions in the name of religion and sometimes obscene and deplorable, are, because they are published in the name of religion and Islam, deviant books and pamphlets that are harmful to the reputation of Islam and the Islamic Republic. I have recommended to the Minister of Guidance that such books be collected as soon as possible and that their sale, purchase, and publication be declared religiously forbidden. Perhaps many of those involved in their compilation had good intentions, but the possibility of the infiltration of devils in these matters is strong, who have acted to distort the luminous face of Islam or the Islamic Republic. Therefore, I request the following from the esteemed Headquarters:

1- I declare the dissolution of all committees formed in the name of selection throughout the country, whether in the armed forces, ministries, and administrations, or in educational centers, up to and including universities; all are dissolved, and the dissolution headquarters should be announced.

2- The Headquarters is obliged to order, as soon as possible, that committees be formed in place of the dissolved committees, consisting of righteous, committed, wise, and virtuous individuals with good character, who are aware of current issues, to select righteous individuals without regard to relationships, and the selection should be carried out under their supervision, and care should be taken that these individuals are not narrow-minded, harsh, or negligent. And as I have previously mentioned, the standard in selection is the current state of individuals, unless they are from groups of mischief-makers or corrupt individuals, or their current state is one of corruption and disruption. However, those who, in the former regime, due to the prevailing atmosphere or the coercion of the oppressive regime, committed some wrongdoings, but are now back to a normal state and correct morals, should not be subjected to ignorant extremism, as this is an injustice and a violation of the commands of Islam and should be declared forbidden.

3 - Since many of the Islamic questions in these booklets are about irrelevant issues that even learned scholars may be unable to answer, and some of the questions and answers are contradictory, these types of questions are by no means a criterion for selecting individuals, and not knowing them is not a fault for them. It is necessary for the esteemed Headquarters to assign individuals to determine if individuals have been dismissed from administrations, ministries, or other centers, or have not been hired, whether due to religious questions that these individuals are not required to know, or due to inappropriate questions that are unrelated to Islam, so that if dismissal or non-acceptance has been solely due to these matters and their misunderstanding, they should be returned to their positions for service, as this action against them is a gross injustice and deprives the country of useful individuals, all of which must be prevented. Also, the righteous individuals who have been in the selection committees should be appreciated, and other individuals should be advised to prevent such actions from happening in the Islamic country.

4_ The esteemed Headquarters should order the preparation of concise booklets including some religious issues that are of public knowledge and doctrinal issues that are necessary to know in Islam, in a simple manner and without the riddles that exist in these deviant books and publications, and some issues relevant to the individuals' jobs, under the supervision of those who are knowledgeable about Islamic rulings and aware of the surrounding political and social issues, and make them available to individuals and, if necessary, train them, and no questions should be asked of them without training; the standard for acceptance or rejection should be the principles of Islam and humanity, as the guidance of the ignorant is the intended original goal.

5_ Investigation of the affairs of individuals, except for corrupt individuals and sabotage groups, is absolutely forbidden, and questioning individuals about how many sins they have committed, as some reports indicate that these types of questions are being asked, is against Islam, and the investigator is a sinner; in the selection of individuals, these types of matters that are against Islam and the pure Sharia should be forbidden.

6- According to reports received, some of the classes in the army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and other military and law enforcement centers are obscene and vulgar; these classes should be administered by knowledgeable, wise, and committed individuals, and my representatives in the military and law enforcement forces should work with utmost seriousness to reform them and continue their work. This Headquarters is obliged to prepare booklets for each ministry or other centers that are appropriate for their work in a reasonable and Islamic manner and to prevent ignorant and sometimes anti-revolutionary teachings.

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I ask God Almighty for the success of the gentlemen in the assigned matters and the good conduct thereof.

And peace be upon you and the mercy of God, Ruhollah al-Mousavi al-Khomeini

January 5, 1983, corresponding to Rabi' al-Awwal 20, 1403 AH