Manifestation of the Friend

Subtle Spirit

part 10

Devotion and Piety

There should be no mention of my name

The Imam wrote a book entitled “Kashf al-Asrar”‌. This book is unfortunately resembles the title of a book that one of the sons of a religious authority had compiled entitled “Asrar-e Hezar Saleh”‌ (mysteries of a thousand year) in which he had ridiculed religious beliefs of Shi‘ite and had insulted the clergy, Imamate and all of these subjects. Out of a sense of responsibility for the condition of Islam, the Imam all at once cancelled all his lectures, debates and studies and everything else at the Theological School in order to write a response to this book. From what I gathered and recall, he kept aside all his activities for a full forty days and wrote a book entitled “Kashf al-Asrar”‌ in rejection of the misguided book. Moreover, in order that there was no semblance of self-glorification, the first and second editions of the Imam’s book do not even mention that the book is authored by the exalted Imam implying that the name of the author is not at all relevant in this book and it is book that has solely been written in response to the book “Asrar-e Hezar Saleh.”‌

He cancelled his lectures

One day on the way to the Faydiyyah Theological School, the Imam noticed a commotion among a large gathering of seminary students over a book “Asrar-e Hezar Saleh”‌. Thus after arranging for the book and reading it, he cancelled his lessons and within a period of one to two months, he compiled the book “Kashf al-Asrar”‌ in rejection of the controversial book and in order to abstain from self-glorification, the book was published anonymously.

Why shouldn’t I participate in his congregation prayer

One of the Friday Prayer leaders of Qom was opposed to the Imam in relation to political and probably philosophical stances. But the Imam would occasionally participate in congregation prayers led by him and would accept his authority. God is witness that there was no intention at all as he he would state: “The political thinking of so and so person is not compatible with mine. If he has made a mistake but I have not made a mistake in my job; so why shouldn’t I participate in congregation prayers led by him?”‌

I cannot make the intent to proximity

A sermonizer from the city of Hamedan who was a good man in the area went to Qom to visit his brother who was a student of the Imam. I along with the late martyr Shahabadi went to the Imam and told him that such and such person had come from Hamedan. We also stated to the Imam that he was a good man who had taken part in the struggle and made a lot of effort during the struggle and that it was appropriate that he should meet him. The Imam stated: “I am keeping well.”‌ The late Shahabadi pleaded that his brother was his student and that he himself was also a devoted admirer of the Imam who had also taken part in the struggle so that it was befitting that he should meet him. Again the Imam stated: “I said that I am not keeping well and have fever; however my fever is not so high that I cannot go to the house of this person and meet that man. But because I cannot make the intent to proximity after you mentioned that this man had done such a thing and is my admirer, for this reason I won’t come.”‌ The late Shahabadi became silent while my faith in the Imam increased.

We investigated for thirty years

With the argument that takes place among the seminary students and the clergy by which they do not grant acceptance to any person quickly, and they make a microscopic examination of the actions of the religious authorities especially if that person is in the stage of establishing a family and conferring him with the title of ‘source of emulation’. However, as much as we scrutinized the behavior, actions and public relations of the Imam in the course of almost thirty years of acquaintance, we did not notice any unholy motive in his actions.

Source:

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

Other Links:

Manifestation of the Friend: Subtle Spirit (part 8)

Manifestation of the Friend: Subtle Spirit (part 9)