Manifestation of the Friend

Subtle Spirit

part 2

I want the eyes to recite the Qur’an

While in exile in the city of Najaf, the Imam had an eye problem. The doctor came, checked his eyes and remarked: “You should try to avoid reading the Qur’an for a few days and rest.”‌ The Imam smiled and stated: Doctor, I want the eyes in order to recite the Qur’an. Of what use are they if I cannot recite the Qur’an with them. You do something so that I am able to recite the Qur’an.”‌

Continue to recite my dear!

On February 1, 1979 when the helicopter landed in Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, security personnel built a human wall extending up to the platform and the Imam along with Haj Ahmad Aqa and a few clergymen sat on the platform. At first a young man with a wonderful and pleasing voice recited a few verses from the glorious Qur’an with their interpretation. Every time he wanted to finish his recitation, the Imam would urge him on saying: “Continue the recitation my dear!”‌

He sat on the floor

Once everybody saw that at an official meeting held at the Husseiniyyah Jamaran, the Imam exceptionally sat on the floor instead of sitting in his usual place on the chair as soon as he entered. It was on the day when the winners of the Qur’an Recitation Competition came into the presence of the Imam and it was programmed that at that get together, a few verses of the Qur’an were to be recited.

Because you were reciting the Qur’an I became fond of you

I was reciting the Qur’an at the shrine of Hazrat Ali (A.S) and was always there. The Imam saw me there and wanted to meet me. One day he sent a person to call me. Initially, I did not go because I thought the Imam is upset with me and wanted to give me a piece of his mind. The second that same person again came to call me and said: “The Imam has work with you,”‌ I pleaded with him to tell me what work he had with me and he replied: “By God, I don’t know.”‌ I asked him whether he was upset with me to which he replied: “No he only told me to go and bring the person from the shrine to him.”‌ I asked to leave and told him that I would come later and he went away. When I was received by the Imam he asked me my name and I replied, “Haj Ibrahim Khadim Najafi!”‌ he stated: “Would you like to live in this house and help us?”‌ I replied that I could not be of much assistance to him. He stated: “You will become familiar with the job; be assured that you will be comfortable over here. Moreover, I have become fond of you and its not important how capable you are in handling the job here because you are a pious person and whenever I would come to the shrine, I would see you preoccupied with recitation of the Qur’an and supplications.

Refinement of Spirit

When will these buds open?

One day while the Imam was returning from the Husseiniyah after giving a speech about the war and hatred of America, when he was entering the front yard and began to take a stroll, as I was by his side, he stated to me that, “When will these buds open? How many days dose it take for the buds to bloom?”‌

Which tree is more beautiful?

Once when I was strolling with the Imam in the front yard he told me: “Can you tell me which one of the trees is more beautiful?”‌ Until then I had not paid any attention to this subject and that for instance, the way in which the branches spread out from the tree trunk gave a certain beauty to a tree. Thus I replied: “Well, this one.”‌

The Imam said: “Don’t just say something; what is your reason for the beauty of this tree? Go and think for a couple of days.”‌ I jokingly said that because that tree was green! The Imam said: “No, go and find out what makes a tree beautiful. See how the branches are placed on the tree trunk. What is the shape of the tree trunk. See how the leaves are arranged on the branches. What is the form of the shade of the tree…”‌ he would mention each one of these aspects and would point to them. He continued: “See the overall form of this tree… see its separate components.”‌ There was another tree at the corner of the front yard. Half an hour before dusk, I was strolling with the Imam in the front yard. He said: “Fathi, you were not present! At dawn before sunrise when I take a stroll, you don’t know how beautiful this tree is; when the sun shines from behind over the top of the tree, it gives this part of the tree a special beauty.”‌

Source:

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

Other Links:

Manifestation of the Friend: With the People (part 1)

Manifestation of the Friend: With the People (part 3)