It has been recalled through a series of memoirs that Imam Khomeini on several occasions used to travel to Karbala during his stay in the neighboring holy city of Najaf.
Imam used to stay at a simple house which was put at his disposal by a Kuwaiti national of Iranian origin in Karbala.
Relatives and people within close circle of Imam say that Imam was a frequent visitor to Imam Ali (PBUH)’s holy shrine in Najaf as well in order to reap spiritual benefits and acquire wisdom. He used to say prayers and recite supplications at the holy site every day. This is while the other religious authorities or spiritual figures just visited the holy mausoleum once or twice in a week.
Once he was asked the reason for his too much devotion towards Imam Ali (PBUH), at this he replied that “it would be a great loss if someone doesn’t benefit while sitting along occasion of knowledge.”
It is worthy to mention that Imam Khomeini spent more than 14 years in exile, mostly in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf. He also spent some time in Turkey and France before his return to Iran ahead of the victory of Islamic Revolution in 1979.
The entire struggle resulting in the Revolution was led by Imam Khomeini, who successfully united the people against Pahlavi oppression and dependence on the US.
(An excerpt from book practical conduct and behavior of Imam Khomeini, Volume 3, p. 25; Fifth Edition (2009); A Memoir by Mohammad Hassan Rahimian)
Memoirs about Imam Khomeini