Pasdar () is a Persian word meaning "Guardian" which referred to an official member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC). Pasdar is called to a person who guards the Islamic Iranian Revolution to its completion and upholds its ideology. The foundational ideology of the Iranian Revolution was established and articulated by Ruhollah Khomeini.
With the victory of the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, young and revolutionary forces paved the way for the establishment of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to preserve and advance the movement and its achievements. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members are individuals recruited to fight in the cause of God and to defend the Islamic Revolution of Iran and its accomplishments with arms.
Introduction Pasdar means guardian and watchman. In contemporary terminology, it refers to an individual recruited by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to engage in challenges in the cause of God, as well as the armed defense of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, its achievements, and the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
History With the victory of the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, young and revolutionary forces united to preserve and advance the movement and its achievements. By forming core military and security groups, they paved the way for the establishment of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The idea to form the Corps was initially proposed by Mohammad Montazeri, who aimed to create a force dedicated to protecting the revolution. He discussed this proposal with Ruhollah Khomeini through Morteza Motahari, who welcomed the idea and issued a decree to establish the Corps. It is reported that the first unit of the Corps which called "Pasa" was also founded by Mohammad Montazeri himself. On April 22, 1979, with the approval of the Council of the Islamic Revolution and the endorsement of Ruhollah Khomeini, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was officially established by merging several existing groups, becoming an independent force separate from the government and the regular army. After that, anyone recruited by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was given the title of Pasdar.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is recognized as a military, law enforcement, and security force, as defined by Articles 2 to 8 of its statutes. According to Article 150 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the IRGC's statutes, it has two primary responsibilities:
The leader of Iranian revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini, has also emphasized these two duties.
Views Islamic view According to Islamic teachings, Muslims must always be adequately and comprehensively prepared against enemies, - Quran, Anfal, 60, Nesa 71. and one manifestation of this preparedness is guarding and protecting the Islamic borders. - Nouri Hamedani, Hossein, Combat readiness and border management in Islam, Qom, Islamic Propaganda Office, first edition, 1988. Page 91. Numerous narrations in Islamic sources emphasize the importance and value of guarding Islamic lands and borders. - Nouri Hamedani, Hossein, Combat readiness and border management in Islam, Qom, Islamic Propaganda Office, first edition, 1988. Pages 120 to 125. For example, the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad, stated that one night spent guarding and protecting in the way of God is better than a thousand days of worship and fasting, - Motaghi Hendi, Aladdin, Kanz al-Umal fi Sunan al-Aqwal wa al-Afal, edited by Bakri Hayani and Safwa al-Saqqah, Beirut, Al-Rasalah, 5th edition, 1409 AH. Volume 2, Page 297. and the reward of a guard who dies while guarding, equated with die in the way of God. - Al-Ahsa'i, Ibn Abi Jumhur, Awali al-Laali al-Aziziyyah fi al-Ahadith al-Diniyah, researched by Mujtaba Iraqi, Qom, Sayyid al-Shuhada Institute, first edition, 1403 AH. Volume 1, Page 87. Additionally, among the supplications of Ali al-Sajjad, the great-grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and the fourth Imam in Shia Islam, there is a complete prayer dedicated to the guardians of the Islamic borders. - Sahifa Sajjadiyah, Imam Ali ibn al-Hussein, Qom, Al-Hadi, first edition, 1376 AH. Dua 27 and 126.
Ruhollah Khomeini's view
The spiritual leader of Iranian Revolution of 1979, Ruhollah Khomeini, who held a deep interest in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), regarded "Pasdar" as loyal force that emerged from the essence of the revolution and, through their selflessness, brought pride to the Iranian nation. He placed great importance and value on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), viewing their duty not only as protecting the country borders but also as safeguarding Islam and the Quran. From this perspective, he considered jurists and clerics to be the guardians of Islam.
Ruhollah Khomeini, also believed that the value of the IRGC's work in the eyes of God depended on their exemplifying Islamic morality. Ruhollah Khomeini urged the IRGC to fully observe the law and avoid political biases, consistently warning them to repel enemy aggression.
Ruhollah Khomeini regarded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Committee as popular, spontaneous, - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 11, Page 249. and essential for preserving Islam, - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 8, Page 280. maintaining the Islamic system, and governing the country. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 10, Page 469. He viewed them as faithful, religious, and rooted in the principles of the revolution, - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 12, Page 269 and 370. who, through their selflessness, leadership on the battlefields of truth against falsehood, and dedication to the revolution, Islam, and the nation, brought pride and honor to the country. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 17, Page 108. He held a deep interest in the Pasdars and eagerly sought opportunities to meet with them. He considered encounters with the young, promising, and bright members of the Corps and Basij a source of joy and believed the country and its people depended on them. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 6, Page 533. From the very inception of the Corps, Khomeini held them in high esteem, even expressing, “I wish I were a Pasdar.” - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 15, Page 496. He consistently expressed his support - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 9, Page 317 and Volume 12, Page 204. and satisfaction with their performance, attributing the country's protection to their efforts. He recognized - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 9, Page 314. that weakening the IRGC equated to weakening Islam, - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 13, Page 44. viewing it as a conspiracy by opponents of the Islamic Republic. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 7, Page 71. He steadfastly defended the IRGC against negative rumors and counter-revolutionary propaganda. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 7, Page 49 and Volume 21, Page 357. Following Resolution 598, in a message to the commanders and officials of the IRGC, he conveyed his indescribable love and affection for the IRGC, stating that he felt no distance between himself and them and understood their hearts even before they spoke. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 21, Page 134.
Khomeini regarded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as embodying the characteristic of faith and urged its members to strive to preserve it. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 8, Page 205 and Volume 9, Page 222. He emphasized the importance of realizing this quality within the IRGC and reminded the Pasdars to pay greater attention to Islamic ethics in order to become a complete embodiment of the soldier of Islam. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 9, Page 548. Since Khomeini considered the protection of the self to be a priority over the protection of the country and the revolution, - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 8, Page 249. he called on the Pasdars to improve themselves and cultivate moral virtues, - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 8, Page 122 and 280, Volume 9, Page 220 and 548. so that they would serve as role models and exemplars of Islamic ethics - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 17, Page 333. and attract others to Islam through their conduct. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 12, Page 454. He believed that only in this way would the Pasdars’ sacred service be valuable to God. - Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah, Sahifeh Imam, Tehran, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, 5th edition, 2010. Volume 8, Pages 372-373.