Manifestation of the Friend

Perfect Role Model

(part 10)

We do not indulge in whispering

Dr. Sanjabi accompanied with Haj Manyian and Haj Mahdiyan came to Paris. At their first meeting with the Imam, in addition to the two of them, Mr. Salamatiyan also accompanied Dr. Sanjabi. Also present at this meeting were the late Ishraqi and Haj Ahmad. Dr. Sanjabi sat next to the Imam and after exchanging greetings, he began to speak with the Imam in a low voice that almost bordered on a whisper. In a loud tone so that we too could hear, the Imam said: “We do not indulge in whispering in the ears; you are free to speak your mind on any subject.”‌

He would not permit exploitation

Journalists, whose job was to investigate and discover the truth and wanted to know the point of view of the Imam precisely, would under no circumstance agree to interview those close to the Imam. This was because they knew well that writing their views would not solve any problem because they neither reflected the intellectual and political thinking and stance of the Imam nor reveal the political and social movement of the people of Iran. Moreover, the position of the Imam could be stated by him alone and not by others. In conclusion, in order to find out about the Imam’s programs journalists would attempt either to interview the Imam or to make use of his speeches and statements delivered on certain occasions a such as “Tasu‘a”‌ (night of ‘Ashura) and “‘Ashura”‌   (day of martyrdom of Imam Hussein) or his pronouncements and letters addressed to the people of Iran or written to some of the theologians. This resulted in regular request for interviews by journalists and a substantial amount of the Imam’s time was devoted to this matter.  Once  again  it  was  the  foresight  of  the  Imam  that  prevented experienced international journalists from making a mountain of a molehill and inflicting the slightest damage on the struggle and the Islamic Revolution and effecting the least exploitation or misinterpretation in the course of the Imam’s struggle. If at some instances, an opposing viewpoint was presented, it would immediately reach the ears of the Imam so that in subsequent statements or speeches or interviews, he would refer to those opposing viewpoints. To put it in one word and state candidly, the Imam would not permit anyone to interfere.

Don’t allow him to be there

I had just been appointed as commander of the Revolutionary Guards when the Imam asked to see me and stated: “There is one person in the Revolutionary Guards in Qom who has written a series of articles in the newspapers; and these articles are those same viewpoints of the Munafiqin (hypocrites) and their likes. Ask for him and don’t allow him to be there and send him to a different location because as it is, Qom is a sensitive place.”‌ When I followed up the matter, I realized that the incident was as stated by the Imam. At that time I was amazed at this incident that how despite all those preoccupations, he had found time to read all the articles and to note all their details.

I have nothing to do with commotion and chanting salutations

One day a group of Friday Prayer leaders from various provincial towns and cities including the Martyr at the Altar Ayatollah Saduqi, Ayatollah Madani and a few others met with the Imam in connection with the dismissal of then president Bani Sadr from office. This group appeared to be satisfied with their meeting with the Imam and so I asked them enquiringly that what had happened that caused them to be so pleased. In reply they said that the Imam had stated to them that if the religious ultimatum had been completed, he would not hesitate and that the dismissal of Bani Sadr would not take more than a minute. the Imam further stated to his audience that: “You should not be under the impression that I am afraid of commotion and controversy; if all those present in this gathering in the Jamaran Husseiniyah that chant the slogan in favor of Khomeini at some pint of time chant slogan against me, it will make no difference to me. I shall never give importance to their utterances and have nothing to do with their commotion and chanting salutations; rather, I shall resort to my religious obligation. That’s all.”‌

Now is not the time for it

On several occasions I would tell the Imam that former president Bani Sadr wanted to sow discord between the military and the Revolutionary Guards Corps. He would create hell for the religious members. He tried his utmost to bring about a confrontation between the military and the Revolutionary Guards and to merge the revolutionary ‘Komitehs’ with the local police forces. When he was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he would on no account give arms to the defenders of Islam. God alone knows how much he would make us run around just to give us a few RPG-7 grenade launchers to send to the warfronts. I remember we sent one of our friends to the city of Qazvin because I heard that RPG’s were available there.

 How many times we told him that Khorramshahr was about to fall but he would not listen. I gave a report to the Imam of the things that he had done and the Imam responded: “You think I don’t understand; now is not the time for it. When the time is ripe, I will decide myself.”‌

Source:

The Book "Manifestation of the Friend: A collection of memoirs about Imam Khomeini (R.A)"

Other Links:

Manifestation of the Friend: Perfect Role Model (part 6)