Qassem Soleimani — A Figure Beyond Borders
Dr. Seyed Hamidreza Ghoreishi, Editor-in-Chief:
Addressing the multifaceted and extraordinary personality of Haj Qassem (Martyr Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani) is both necessary and significant. However, due to the impossibility of a comprehensive analysis, any attempt may result in a partial understanding of his true essence — for, like his master Imam Ali (peace be upon him), he embodied the union of apparent opposites.
With the support of scholars and thinkers, it is hoped that effective steps will be taken toward portraying his true and influential character. In this article, I intend to present a few brief points about this honorable figure.
At 1:07 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2020, at Baghdad International Airport, the commander of the IRGC Quds Force was martyred in a U.S. drone strike ordered by then-President Donald Trump, after years of tireless struggle and service.
Since he was accompanied by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a key commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, this event became a symbol of unity between the Iranian and Iraqi nations. The merging of their pure bodies due to the nature of the explosion—and their burial in Kerman and Najaf’s Wadi al-Salam—made both shrines enduring symbols of solidarity between the two nations in their struggle against global arrogance.
This can be regarded as the first point. During a meeting I had with him in Ramadan 2011, I proposed changing the resistance strategy from defensive to offensive. He, after providing reasoning, identified the right time for such a shift in the near future. Thus, the second point is his adherence to principles and his refusal to alter strategic directions abruptly or frequently.
The third point concerns his constant presence on the frontlines — from northern Iraq to southern Lebanon — especially during crises.
The fourth point is his creativity and ability to develop methods that strengthened resistance and ensured continuity of effectiveness. For example, in the Shia areas of Nubl and al-Zahraa in northern Syria, he ordered support for women heads of households and provided sewing machines to help them achieve self-sufficiency.
Fifth, his lack of reliance on formal academic degrees and his pursuit of knowledge through real-world experience made him a genius eager for learning; for him, education never ended with a diploma.
Sixth, his diplomatic role within the resistance arena was remarkable. He played a key part in persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to cooperate with Iran in the Syrian crisis — a move that proved highly successful.
Seventh, unlike many commanders, he never allowed the intensity of battle to distance him from compassion. Following the example of Imam Ali (AS) and his leader Ayatollah Khamenei (may God protect him), he cared deeply for martyrs’ families and even, in the winter of 2018, while at war, called Tehran to ensure fodder was provided for the deer around a garrison during heavy snow — embodying the spirit of “the protector of the deer,” like Imam Reza (AS).
Eighth, he was fearless in facing critics and always did what was right, even when it involved risks — such as providing training assistance to a friendly nation, which reportedly transformed that country’s defensive doctrine.
Ninth, his foresight ensured he was never bound by the present. Drawing on past experiences, he always prepared for future challenges — for instance, shifting the resistance strategy from defensive to offensive after the martyrdom of Haj Hossein Hamedani.
Tenth, since his command of the 41st Tharallah Division, he invested heavily in education. Around 1994, he organized structured weekly training sessions over eight weeks to elevate the capabilities of commanders and managers — a testament to his belief in continuous learning and organization.
In this special issue, we aim—within our capacity—to shed light on the dimensions of this great martyr’s character. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my dear brother Mr. Mohammad Ali Najah for his valuable contributions.
