Imam Khomeini once said that all Iran’s accomplishments were obliged to due to Hadrat Ridha, one of the truthful successors of the holy prophet of Islam. He emphasized that all forces, officials, government authorities and people from all walks of life should spiritually associate themselves with the divine personality of the household members of the holy prophet.
Imam Khomeini, the spiritual and religious leader of the Muslim world, invited the whole Islamic community to follow footsteps of the honorable prophet of Islam Hadrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) and his infallible successors.
The founder of the Islamic Republic has been spiritually closely associated to the Household of the holy prophet of Islam.
Friends and colleagues recall that Imam Khomeini used to visit Imam Ali (PBUH) after each midnight during his stay in the holy Iraqi city of Najaf.
Imam Khomeini did not miss this routine for years despite his engagement to teaching at seminaries and attending the people problems.
Also, Imam Khomeini also used to frequently visit Shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh, sister of Imam Reza (PBUH), one of holiest places, in the holy city of Qom. Prominent clerics say Imam used to daily visit the holy shrine either in the morning or evening after delivering his lectures to the students.
Imam Khomeini truly exemplified the true and genuine teachings of the holy prophet of Islam and his infallible successors in his lifestyle.
On the same pattern, Imam Khomeini also followed footsteps of the holy prophet and coordinated the struggles of the Iranian people against the Shah’s despotic regime to advance the goals of Islam.
The great leader continued the struggle until establishment of the sacred Islamic system, which guarantees the freedom of the people, civil liberties, independence and implementation of social justice.
The great scholar of the Islamic world advised all clerics and preachers to make their intentions pure and deliver such speeches at religious gatherings which can elevate the Islamic societies towards spiritual and moral development.
He also recommended for preachers and those responsible for holding mourning ceremonies and religious gatherings during this period to make their intentions pure and grab the attentions of the youth towards the real message of the Islam.
Imam Ridha’ (PBUH) carried on the responsibility of administering the Divine Law as taught by the Holy Prophet and Imams of the Ahlul Bayt after him.
Imam ‘Ali al- Ridha’ (PBUH) too, led a simple life. According to historical reports, he did not like to decorate his house with expensive carpets, instead he covered its floor with rough mats during the winter and grass mats during the summer. When food was served, he would call all his servants, including the gatekeeper to sit and eat with him.
The well known scholar Allamah Majlisi in Biharul Anwar writes that our 8th Imam insisted on eating his meals only after the entire members of his family, young and old, servants and grooms were present. One day someone who was fonder of royal formalities than the fraternity of the Ahlul Bayt, suggested that it would be better to make separate eating arrangements for the servants, The Imam replied, "All are created by God, Adam is their father and Eve is their mother. Everyone will be dealt with by God according to his deeds. Why should there be any discrimination in this world."
Imam ‘Ali Al-Ridha’’s (as) life contains countless anecdotes of this sort. Once a man said to him, "By God, there is none who is superior to you in the nobleness of your ancestry.” The Imam said to him, “My ancestors are honored merely for their Godliness, piety and worship.”