Tranquil
Heart
Forty-three
Recollections of Imam Khumayni Relating to
Prayers
Originally
Published in the Persian Language by:
Association
of Learning and Human Resource
Research
Office
Scheduling
and production of learning materials
Literacy
movement organisation
2000
Translated by:
M Raza
Qum, Iran, 2005
In the name
of the most High
"Prayers
are the safeguard of the nation"
Imam Khumayni
Prayer
instills a sense of tranquility in the heart
and prevents us from committing bad deeds.
It is a mercy from God and a means of
remembering of Him. Remembering God is
everything for mankind.
This
book is a set of recollections of Imam Khumayni
relating to prayers and his recommendations
about prayers. Undoubtedly when
prayers and its importance are discussed,
one immediately remembers the day of Ashura.
In the face of the enemies' arrows, Imam
Hussein (a.s.) established prayers to teach
us that all things should be for prayers.
Imam
Khumayni at all times and under all
conditions would never forget to pray on
time. Even when he was in prison, when
exiled, or when bed-ridden, he would always
pray on time. He proved to the enemies
of Islam that Iranians love praying and
whatever they have is because of prayers.
We
must take the actions and behaviors of this
great leader as a model for ourselves.
A leader who through his actions and
behaviors taught us lessons of humanity,
magnanimity, piety, servitude to God, and
struggle against evil.
How
good would it be therefore if this year,
which has been named after this dear great
personality, we familiarise ourselves more
with his actions and behaviours. However
much of his human perfection we make use of,
by that amount we will find joy and
tranquility.
For
this reason, we have prepared a selection of
recollections about prayers in relation to
this great personality. We hope that
the reader is able to benefit from these
stories and thereby be able to pay more
attention to their prayers
1.Clothes
of prayer
A
villager came to me asking for an item of
Imam's clothing which he would have worn
whilst saying his prayers.
I
went to see the Imam. When I had
finished my work with him, I said,
"Someone has asked me for an item of
your clothing which you have worn whilst
saying your prayers." The Imam
smiled and cheerfully said, "No
problem". He then gave me his own
cloak so that I could give it to the
villager.
I
was surprised at how kind such a great
personality was as compared to others and
that in the face of such a request how
extremely cheerfully he behaved.
Ayatollah Mohamed Yazdi
Prayer
and supplication
Amongst
all of Imam’s duties and responsibilities,
he gave great importance to reciting Quran
and supplications and to praying on time.
Imam would recite Quran between three and
five times daily. During the Holy month of
Ramadhan he would complete the recitation of
the Quran thrice.
Mostly
he would recite supplications from
Mafaatihul Jinaan. On Thursday nights
he would recite Dua-Kumail.
I
remember one day before Imam passed away,
one of the ladies of his household asked me
to sit besides him and recite a
supplication. I recited Dua-e-Adeela
which is appropriate at the time of death.
I read it from Imam's Mafaatihul Jinaan.
Whilst reading, I noticed a page marked in
the book. I saw that it was Dua-Ahad
that had been marked. This is the
supplication that if some recites for 40
days they will arise from their grave at the
time of the coming of Imam Mehdi (a.s) and
will be able to meet him.
Ayatollah Tawassuli
Quran
and Prayers
Imam
would always recite Quran before the time of
prayer set in. As soon as the time of
prayer set in, he would immediately recite
his prayers with humility and presence of
the heart. After saying his prayers, Imam
would always recite supplications in a soft
whisper.
Hujjat al-Islam Aashtiyani
Carefully
When
Imam would wake in the middle of the night
to recite the Namaz-e-Shab he would light
the way ahead with a small torch. He
would never switch on the room light and
would always move about quietly so as not to
wake anyone else.
Such
was the extent that Imam considered the
rights of others. He would always have
regard for Islamic laws and behaviours.
Agha Bourujardi - Imam's son in law
Supplication
after prayers
After
each prayer, Imam would recite Takbir 3
times. He would then recite the
Tasbeeh of Hazarat Fatema (a.s.) (34 times
Allahu Akber (God is Great), 33 times
Alhamdolillah (Praise be to God), 33 times
Subhanallah(Glory be to God)), followed by
Sura Fateha and Ayatul Kursi. He would
then recite verses 18, 26, and 27 of Sura
Aal-e-Imraan.
Agha Maseeh Bourujardi - Imam's grandson
Devotion
to Imam Hussein (a.s.)
Imam
had great affection and respect for the
Master of Martyrs. Before and after
each prayer he would send his salutations to
Imam Hussein (a.s.). With his Salaams
and Ziyaraats, he would show his sincerity
to Imam Hussein (a.s.).
Agha Ahmad Bahai al-Din
Paternal
concern
Imam
believed that children should be taught
right and wrong and Islamic laws before they
became Baaligh.
Occasionally
Imam would ask my 8 year old son, "Have
you said your prayers?" I would
reply, "Agha, he is not as yet Baaligh."
Imam would say, "Children should form a
habit of praying before they become Baaligh."
Each
time Imam would see a child, he would ask,
"Have you prayed?" If the
child had not prayed, he would give them his
own prayer mat and would say, "Go and
do your wudhu and quickly say prayers."
After they had finished praying, he would
say, "How much better it would have
been had you prayed on time. Allah would
have been more pleased."
Mrs Fatema Tabatabai - Imam's daughter in law
A
bomb at Friday prayers
I
had gone for the Friday Prayers in Tehran on
the occasion that a bomb had been planted
there. My mother who was at the Imam's
house at the time became really worried as I
was late returning back.
When
I finally got home, she said to me,
"Why did you go for the Friday prayers
especially as you are pregnant? For
the sake of your child you should not have
gone. It was common knowledge that
there would be bombings at places of
prayer."
My
mother had been worried for this reason.
However Imam who was sitting at the table
having lunch laughed and said to me,
"Are you ok? Thank God."
Then Imam whispered in my ear, "It was
a very good thing you did in going.
You have made me very pleased that you went
to such a prayer."
Mrs Zahra Ashraqi - Imam's granddaughter
Questioning
about prayers
Once
when I was a child, I went and stood behind
the Imam whilst he was saying his prayers
copying all of the actions he performed.
After the prayers he gave me several volumes
of books especially for children.
After
that, every time I would go to his room or
he would see me, he would first ask me
whether I had recited my prayers or not.
If I had, he would congratulate me. If
I had not, he would tell me to go and pray
and advise me to recite my prayers on time.
Imam's grandchild
Call
and action of our travel companion
At
home, whenever we would observe the Imam do
something, we would try and copy that
action. We would always try to be like
the Imam. He was a role model for us
in terms of training and education.
Whenever
he would tell us not to do something, we
would notice that he would also not do that
thing. We would also therefore not do
that thing.
When
he would give us advice on prayers, he
himself half an hour before the midday
prayers would perform his wudhu and busy
himself in supplications. This had a
great effect on us.
During
winter, on mornings that I would have to get
up in order to do wudhu, Imam would bring me
some warm water and would say: "Do your
wudhu with this warm water."
Mrs Fareeda Mustafawi - Imam's daughter.
Quran
and Mafaati
Every
night, Imam would pray Namaz-e-Shab and
would usually wake up an hour before Azaan
to pray. If time remained before Azaan,
he would read newspapers and would listen to
overseas radio broadcasts.
Imam
gave great importance to listening to the
news. He wanted to know what other
countries where thinking about Iran.
Even when the Imam was in hospital, the
radio was always by his side and he would
listen to the news.
The
Quran and the Mafaati were also always by
his side. Even in the hospital until
his last day, the Quran and the Mafaati were
by his bedside and he would recite them as
per his usual routine.
People
saw from television pictures that right
until Imam was put on a drip, he would say
his prayers with sincerity and presence of
heart.
One
of Imam's relatives narrates: "Once
just before the time of Fajr prayers, I
entered the Imam's room in the hospital. I
found him in an unusual state. He had
been crying so much that his whole face was
wet with tears. Such was Imam
whispering and supplicating to God that it
left a profound impression on me.
Hujjatal Islam Ashtiyani
Imam
and the prayers of children
I
had just become baaligh during the time Imam
was under the watch of Shah's agents in
Tehran. One day, my family and I had
gone to Ketri to see the Imam. He was
reciting the Magrib and Isha prayers.
All the members of my family and some others
stood for prayers behind the Imam. No
one wanted to miss praying congregational
prayers behind him.
I
was but a child then and by the time I had
performed my wudhu, the Imam had finished
sajdah of the first rakaat.
Incorrectly, I joined the prayers at that
moment copying the Imam's actions. My
mother signalled to me that my prayers were
not correct but I carried on praying.
After
the Magrib prayer my mother said, "Your
prayer was not correct. You must pray
your Magrib prayers again. Then you can join
the Imam for Isha." I was very
upset. Crying I went to Imam. He
was reciting supplications between the
Magrib and Isha prayers. My mother
also came near the Imam and said,
“Whatever I say to this child, she does
not listen. I think she will only
listen to you. She says that if Imam
sees her then he will accept her
prayers". A number of people were
sitting next to the Imam. My mother
said to me, “Don't bother the Imam."
However Imam said, "I will certainly
explain to her till she understands."
Then, for a period of about 15 or 20
minutes, Imam proceeded to explain to me
whilst everyone waited for the Imam to
continue the prayers.
Mrs Mariam Pasnedeedeh
Prayers
whilst ill
One
of the physicians in Qum narrates: When we
heard that Imam was suffering with a heart
problem, I myself went to his bedside and
measured his blood pressure. The
Imam's blood pressure was very low and from
a medical viewpoint was very critical.
I quickly gave the Imam emergency treatment.
After two hours, his condition had improved
slightly but remained critical. At
that time, I saw that Imam had gotten up
from his place. I asked the Imam why
he had gotten up. He replied that it
was for prayers. I said to him, “In
the field of Islamic jurrisprudence, you are
a Mujtahid. However, in the medical
field, I am a specialist. In my
opinion, moving about for you is haraam.
It is better that you pray lying down."
Imam quickly heeded my words.
Mrs Fatema Tabatabai – Imam's daughter-in-law
Prayers
in the hospital
In
the last few days of the Imam's life, when
he was taken to the hospital, his first
order was that he should be told whenever
the time of prayers had set in. During
one of those days, a tray of food was
brought to his room. Imam asked,
"Has the time of prayers set in?"
Those present replied, "Yes, it is
already the time for prayers."
Very sternly, Imam said to those around him,
"So why did you not wake me?"
They replied, "We were concerned about
your health." Imam unhappily
said, "Take the food away until I have
said my prayers."
Hujjatul Islam Jamaaraani
Meeting
with God
Imam
would wear his cleanest clothes whilst
saying his prayers. After doing his
wudhu, he would comb his blessed beard,
would apply perfume, wear his turban, then
stand for prayers. Right up until the
time Imam became ill after he was operated
on he would wear his cleanest clothes for
prayers.
Agha Mu'tamadi
Prayers
until the end
A
day before Imam passed away, he prayed his
Zohr and Asr prayers having done wudhu.
As of one hour before the time of Zohr, he
would ask anyone who passed by as to how
much time remained before Zohr. His
aim was to make sure he said his prayers on
time.
At
3.30 in the afternoon, Imam became
unconscious. The doctors tried to
revive him. At around Magrib time, the
doctors knowing that Imam had a deep
attachment with prayers, called to him and
said, "Agha, it is the time for
prayers." Imam, who was still
unconscious at the time, responded to this
call with a movement. Then, with the
motion of his hands and eyebrows, he
proceeded to pray the Magrib prayers.
Mrs Farishteh I'rabi
Teaching
students
Imam
was very particular about praying on time.
Imam would get very upset if a student in
his class said his prayers late. I too
was a student of Imam's. Imam
was so particular about prayer that and I
too tried hard to pray on time so that I
would not be deprived of the opportunity of
sitting in his classes.
Ayatollah Khalkhali – Imam's student
Prayers
in youth
Imam
used to say, " When I was young I would
go out of town on Thursdays and Fridays with
my friends for a break. Our
destination would often be Jamkaran.
During the snowy and rainy seasons we would
sit in our room talking. However, when
we would hear the call of the Muedhin, we
would all stand for prayers.
Ayatollah Subhani – Imam's student
Prayers
on time
Even
in his youth, Imam would say his prayers on
time. One of his friends narrates:
At first, God forbid, we used to think that
perhaps it was out of self pretentiousness
that Imam would pray on time. For this
reason we decided to test Imam. For
example, when on a journey, we would lay out
food right at prayer time. However
Imam would say, "You eat. I am saying
my prayers and will eat whatever is
leftover." Or, when setting out
on a journey, we would decide to set out
right at prayer time. However, Imam
would say, "You go. I will catch
up with you." Many of these
occasions transpired. Not only would
Imam always say his prayers on time, but he
instilled this practice in us to such an
extent that we now always say our prayers on
time.
Ayatollah Ibaadi – Imam's student
Lover
of the night
One
year, it snowed so much in Qum that half the
town was flooded. That year, I
witnessed that every night in the Fiziyeh
school, Imam, no matter how hard, would
break the ice in the fountain and would do
his wudhu. Then, in the dark of night,
he would say his prayers with sincerity.
Till now, I am unable to explain how he was
able to be so happy at that time.
This
lover of the night would stay awake till the
Adhaan of the dawn prayers reciting
supplications. At the time of Adhaan, he
would go to the Haraam of Hazarat Masuma
(as) and in the mosque of Mosque of Balaa
Sar, he would say his prayers behind Agha
Mirza Jawadi Aqaamalaqi. After prayers
he would study. I am able to say that
in terms of worship, there were very few
like him amongst the religious scholars.
Ayatollah Khaansaari
Travel
companion
I
have travelled many times with Imam.
Only God knows how on journeys he was like a
father to us. To such an extent, that
every time I recall those times I am moved.
Once
I went with Imam to Mashad for the Ziyarat
of Imam Raza (a.s.). At that time,
parts of Iran were under the control of
Russia, America, and England. On the
way back from Mashad, in the middle of the
journey, the Russians stopped our car for
inspection and we were forced to get out.
Because
Imam was always punctual about his prayers
and would always wake for Namaz -e-Shab, he
wanted to pray. We were in the middle
of the desert and there was no water
available. However, at one point we
looked and water was flowing. Imam
rolled up his sleeves and did wudhu.
We did not know where he found this water or
whether it was still there or not after
prayers.
Shaheede Mihraab Ayatollah Sadooqi
Congregational
prayers
During
Feveredin 1342 (english date?) on the
occasion of the anniversary of the martydom
of Imam Jaffer Sadiq (as), a mourning
gathering was held in the house of Imam Khumayni
at which he was also present. Suddenly
a number of people wailing and chanting
slogans entered the house. They were
those who had been wounded by the Shah's
agents at the Fidhiyeh school.
Some of them wanted to shut the door of the
house. However Imam said, "Leave
the door open." He then said to all
those present, "Get ready for prayer.
How much better it would be if Shah's
executioners attack whilst we are praying so
that we can receive salvation. It
would be a huge blow for them and an immense
blessing for us."
Gulamhussein Ahmadi
Prayers
in prison
Imam
narrated: At the time when Shah's
agents took me to Eshratabad prison, I
wanted to do wudhu so that I could pray.
They took me to a very remote place away
from the prison to do wudhhoo. There I
did wudhu and came back. The agents
were very scared of me. They didn't
even allow the officers and soldiers to look
at me."
Ayatollah Khalkali – Imam’s student
Prayers
on the way to prison
Imam
once told me: Once, Shah's agents burst into
my house, arrested me, and took me towards
Tehran. On the Qum-Tehran road I told them
it was the time for the Fajr prayers and I
asked them to stop at a place where I could
do wudhu. They replied that they did
not have permission to do so. I said
to them, "You are armed and I am weapon
less. I won't be able to do
anything." Again they said that
they did not have permission. I knew
it was pointless and they would not stop the
car. I said, "At least stop for a
while so that I can do Tayammum by the side
of the road."
In
the end they stopped the car. However,
they did not let me get down. Whilst
still sitting in the car, I bent down and
did tayammum. I then said my prayers
with my back facing Qibla.
That
day I said my prayers with tayammum, my back
towards Qibla, and in a moving vehicle.
Perhaps those two rakaat prayers will
achieve God's pleasure.
Mrs Farida Mustafa – Imam's daughter
Suspension
of congregational prayers
Despite
his advanced age, Imam would fast the
18-hour fasts in the month of Ramadhan in
the 50 degree temperatures of Najaf.
He would break his fast after the Magrib and
Isha congregational prayers.
Early
one evening he found out that Shah's agents
in Iraq wanted to execute a group of
innocent people. As a protest, Imam
suspended the congregational prayers.
He called upon the governor of Najaf so that
perhaps he could save the lives of some of
those Muslims.
Hujjatal Islam Syed Hameed Ruhani
Respect
for people's rights
During
the period when Imam used to live in the
Holy city of Najaf, he would often go to the
Holy city of Kerbala. There he would
stay in a small house.
Whilst
in Kerbala, he would say his Magrib and Isha
prayers in the mosque of Ayatollah
Bouroujardi and he would lead the Zohr and
Asr congregational prayers at his house.
The courtyard of his house was very small
and the carpet was insufficient.
However because people had a great affinity
for Imam, a large number of them would come
for prayers laying out their prayer mats.
When Imam would enter, he was very careful
not to step on people's shoes and cloaks.
Through his own actions, he taught how to
respect the rights of people.
Ayatollah Qarhi
A
mosque is the people’s home
During
the period that Imam was in Najaf, a number
of people from Iran took their Khums (Sehme
Imam) money to him. It amounted to
quite a sum. At that time, they asked
Imam, "We want to build a mosque here
in the local vicinity. Do you give us
permission to spend some of this money to
build it?" Imam replied: "No
I do not give permission." The people
pleaded. Imam said, "Muslims of
each vicinity should build their own mosque
because mosques belong to them. I
cannot give you this Sehme Imam to build the
mosque. Does it make sense that I
would pay for the mohrs you use? The mosque
is your property. You have to meet its
costs."
Ayatollah Ma'arifat
Shia
of Ali (a.s.)
In
all of the 15 years that Imam was in exile,
he did not miss even one night going to the
shrine of Hazarat Ali (a.s.), except when he
was ill. Every night until dawn,
Hazarat Imam would go to the Haraam and
would stand for a long time reciting Ziyarat.
When he would go to Kerbala, every morning
and evening he would go and recite Ziyarat
at the shrine of his grandfather Imam
Hussein (a.s.) and the shrine of Hazarat
Abbas.
Ayatollah Qadeeri – Imam's student
Tranquil
Heart
None
of us knew what would befall us on the night
that it was agreed that Imam would go to
Kuwait. It was not certain whether Kuwait
would let us enter nor did we know what
events lay in store for us. In Najaf,
our house was quite a scene. Every
moment was tense and worrying.
I
focused my attention on Imam (?). Just
as in previous nights he slept on time and
as always one and a half hours before the
Fajr Adhaan he woke for prayers.
Haj Ahmed Agha Khumayni – Imam's son
God's
guest
Haj
Ahmed Agha narrates: One night during
the month of Ramadhan, I was sleeping on the
rooftop. Imam's house was small being
only 45 square metres. I woke up and
heard a sound. I realised that Imam
was saying his prayers in the dark.
His hands were stretched out towards the sky
and he was crying.
During
Ramadhan, it was Imam's routine that he
would stay awake until dawn reciting prayers
and supplications. After the dawn
prayers he would rest a little and then get
ready for his work.
Hujjatal Islam Nasari
Prayers
on the road to Kuwait
When
the Ba'ath regime in Iraq put pressure on
Imam, he headed towards the Kuwaiti border.
On the way, it was approaching the time of
the Zohr prayers when we arrived at a
mosque. Imam asked, "Does this
mosque have an Imam for congregational
prayers?". Imam was told it did.
Imam said to his companions, "We either
pray congregational prayers behind the Imam
or we should go elsewhere to pray because if
we want to wait to pray by ourselves in the
mosque it will be an insult to the
Imam."
We
set out till we reached one of the borders
between Iraq and Kuwait. Friends went to see
to the border control requirements and Imam
wanted to pray in a room. Suddenly his
eyes fell on a huge picture of Saddam
Hussein that was on the wall of the room.
Imam said, "Lets go somewhere else to
pray."
Truly
how so very careful Imam was. In
places where it was necessary to protect the
respect of a religious scholar, he was very
careful not to be disrespectful.
And in places where it was essential not to
show respect to tyrants, he said, "Let
us leave this place."
Hujjatal Islam Naasari – Imam's student
Tired
body, alive mind
We
wanted to leave Iraq for Kuwait. At
the border, the Kuwaitis would not let us
enter. At that time Imam was 80 years old.
We had left Najaf at 5 am in the morning.
When the Kuwaitis would not let us enter, we
had no choice but to return to the Iraqi
border. There they treated Imam very
badly. They didn't even give him a
room in which he could rest. In the
end, Imam laid out his cloak on the floor
and lay down. After an hour, orders
came from Baghdad that we had to go to
Basra. We arrived in Basra at one
o'clock after midnight and Imam slept at two
o'clock. It was not long before an
alarm clock rang. It was four o'clock
in the morning. I saw that Imam was
getting up for Namaz-e-shab. Truly how
wonderful it was. A man 80 years of
age who from 5 the previous morning till 2
at night had not slept remembered to set his
alarm before going to sleep so that he could
get up for Namaz-e-shab.
Hujjatal Islam Haj Ahmed Agha Khumayni – Imam's son
The
sentiment of the worshipper
The
weather was fine the first few days during
the time Imam was in Paris. For this
reason, there was no need for sleeping
blankets during the night, though some of
the brothers would use them.
Certainly, the windows and the doors were
left open. One morning when I got up, I
noticed that the windows were closed and
that the brothers who did not usually cover
themselves with blankets had blankets draped
over them. No one knew how this had
happened. Even Haj Ahmed Agha did not
know when we asked him. Later, we
found out that Imam, who had woken up in the
middle of the night to do wudhu, had shut
the windows and covered the brothers with
blankets because it had been cold.
Hujjatal Islam Duayee – Imam's student
The
day the Shah fled
We
were in Paris the day the Shah fled from
Iran. The French police closed the
main road of Neuphille Chateau. News
reporters from various countries from Asia,
Africa, Europe, and America had gathered.
There were over 150 reporters with cameras
present ready to film. The Shah had
gone and the reporters wanted to know what
Imam was going to do. Imam had been
sitting on a chair and talked for a few
minutes. I was standing beside him.
Suddenly, he turned around and asked me:
"Ahmed, is it Zohr time yet?" I
replied that it was. Without
hesitation, Imam said: "Peace and God's
mercy and blessings be upon you."
It can be seen how quickly Imam cut short
his conversation. So particular was
Imam about saying his prayers on time that
right when the world's press was
broadcasting Imam's remarks which millions
of people were watching, he cut short his
talk and went off to pray.
Marhum Haj Ahmed Agha Khumayni – Imam's son
Organised
Imam
was very organised in everything he did -
whilst reading books and newspapers, whilst
reading letters, whilst in meetings, and
even whilst doing wudhu. We all would know
precisely at what time Imam would do his
wudhu because he used to do it at a
particular time. Imam was also so
particular about praying on time that the
French police would set their watches by the
times that Imam would stand for prayer.
Mrs Marziya Hadeedechi
Meeting
with the leaders of Muslim Countries
The
leaders of some Muslim countries came to
meet Imam for peace talks in relation to the
Iran-Iraq war. During the meeting, the
call to prayer was heard. Imam stood
up and said, "I want to pray."
He then applied some perfume and stood for
prayers. The leaders of the Muslim
countries also stood for congregational
prayers behind Imam. Such was Imam
that on no account would he let the value of
this important religious duty be lessened.
Ayatollah Tusali – Imam's student
Allah
takes pride in the worship of the youth
One
of Imam's relatives narrates: Right from the
time we used to live in Khumayn, Imam from
the age of 15 would recite Namaz-e-shab.
So as not to wake anyone else at that time
of night, Imam would use a small lamp to
light his way. He would then go to a
corner of the house and say his prayers.
Imam's
wife would say, "I was never once woken
up by Imam praying Namaz-e-Shab because he
would never switch on the room light.
When he would go do wudhu, he would place a
sponge in the sink under the tap so that the
sound of the falling water would not wake
me.
Mrs Naeemeh Ashraqi - Imam's granddaughter
The
lover's weeping
During
the last month of Imam's life, he was ill
and in need of increased supervision.
During the nights, a soldier would sleep
just outside the door to Imam's room.
Once I asked that soldier whether he had any
recollections of Imam from the period when
he used to watch over him.
The
soldier narrates: Imam would normally wake
up 2 hours before the time of the Fajr
prayer. One night I heard Imam crying
loudly. I also started crying.
When Imam came out of his room in order to
refresh his wudhu, he noticed me and said,
"Oh soldier. Value your youth and
worship God. The pleasure of worship
is in youth. When you get old, your heart
will want to worship, but you will not have
the health and strength to do so."
Ayatollah Tawasulli
Friday
Etiquette
A
group of American reporters had come to
Paris to interview Imam. It was agreed
that the interview would be a live
broadcast. If the interview took
place, then European countries would also
want to interview Imam. Imam's message
and the call of revolution would be able to
reach the world.
I
went to see the Imam and informed him of the
situation. Imam said: "Today is
Friday and it is the time of performing the
recommended etiquettes (Friday supplication,
bath, et)." When Imam had
completed these Friday acts of worship, he
said: "Now I am ready for the
interview."
Mrs Marziya Hadeedechi
Namaz-e-Shab
on the airplane
It
was the night of the 12th of Bahman 1357,
The aeroplane of the revolution was flying
from France towards Iran. It was 3
hours since we had left Paris.
Suddenly Imam rose from the place where he
was sitting and went to the front of the
plane in order to pray. His face was
truly shining and a halo of light could be
seen around it. I swear that I saw
that halo of light around the perimeter of
his face. Imam went for prayers with
complete tranquillity. The rest of us
however were worried. We did not know
what lay in wait for us. I myself was
not even able to sleep.
Agha Kuffash Bashi
Tehran
in unrest. Imam calm
On
the 21st of Bahman 1357, military rule was
declared. Through the orders of Imam, people
overthrew the military rule and poured onto
the streets.
That
night, worry could be seen on the faces of
some of Imam's friends and relatives.
They were worried in case Shah's regime
would savagely attack putting Imam's life in
danger.
In
the end, a few of Imam's relatives
approached him and urged him to go to a safe
place. Imam in a state of complete
calm said: "I am not leaving
here." Then, just as in previous
nights, he prayed Namaz-e-Shab and passed
the night in complete tranquility.
Hujjatal Islam Ashtiyani
The
time for meeting with God
A
meeting with the President, Leader of
Parliament, and army commanders had been
arranged in Imam's small room.
Imam
was sitting on a chair and we were seated on
the carpet facing him. After an hour
of talks, it was the turn of one of the
commanders to present his report.
Suddenly Imam stood up in order to leave the
room. We were all surprised by this.
The person whose turn it was to present his
report also did not know what to say.
Agha Hashemi Rafsanjani asked Imam,
"Did something happen to make you
unwell?" Imam quickly replied,
"No. It is the time of prayers."
We looked at our watches. I knew the
prayer times in Tehran from before. I
noticed that Imam had not even delayed a
moment in order to pray. In any case the
Imam’s behaviour had a profound effect on
us. Imam stood for prayers and we
quickly got ready and prayed with him.
After
prayers, a question struck me. How in
a meeting of such importance about the war,
could Imam leave in order to pray? He
did not even allow the commander to complete
his report. That day I understood how
high Imam's level of worship and submission
of his soul was that he was not willing to
delay saying his prayers even for a moment.
Shaheed Siyaad Shirazi
Care
with the use of water
I
had on a number of occasions seen Imam doing
wudhu. In between each of the actions
of wudhu, Imam would close the tap for fear
of wasting water. Only when it was necessary
would he open the tap. Many of us do
not take care not to waste water.
Whereas when Imam wanted to do wudhu, he
took a lot of care to make sure water was
not wasted.
Agha Mahmood Bouroujardi-Imam's son in law
This
glossary
has been complied to assist readers not
familiar with Islamic terminology in
understanding the above recollections.
(a.s.) Short for ‘peace be upon him.’
Adhaan Call to prayers
Ashura 10th of Muharram in the Islamic calendar. This is
the day the 3rd Imam of the
Shias, Imam Hussein (a.s.) was martyred in
the Islamic year 63 A.H.
Ayatul Kursi Verses 255-257 of the second chapter of the Holy Quran.
Baaligh Age at which certain actions and duties become compulsory for
Muslims. Typically this is
approximately 9 years for girls and 15 years
for boys.
Haram-Any sacred religious place particularly used for Shrines of a
religious personalities.
Imam Hussein (a.s)-3rd successor of the Holy Prophet for
Shia Muslims.
Khums-Compulsory tax to be paid by Muslims representing one-fifth of
savings.
Mashad-City in North-Eastern Iran where the 8th successor of
the Holy Prophet for Shias (Imam Raza (a.s.))
is buried.
Mohr-Prayer tablets upon which mainly Shia Muslims prostrate whilst
praying.
Namaz-e-Shab-Also known as Salaatul-Layl. Recommended prayers of 11
units to be recited before the dawn prayers.
Prayers (Fajr, Zohr, Ast, Magrib, Isha)-Names
of the 5 compulsory daily prayers for
Muslims consisting of 2, 4, 4, 3, and 4
rakaats respectively.
Qibla-Direction towards Mecca which Muslims face to pray.
Qum-City in Northern Iran. Centre for religious learning.
Quran-Muslim Holy Book revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad
Rakaat-Unit of prayer
Ramadhan-Ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which fasting has
been prescribed for Muslims.
Salaam and Ziyaraats-Prescribed greetings and prayers salutations
usually recited when visiting the shrines of
the Prophet and Imams.
Sura Aal-e-Imran-Third chapter of the Holy Quran
Sura Fateha-First chapter of the Holy Quran
Tasbih-Glorification of God
Tayammum-Actions to be performed when no water is available for the
performance of wudhoo.
Wudhu-Ablutions performed before reciting prayers.
