The love and attachment of the Imam Khomeini towards the infallible Imams was of a specific characteristic. The 9th day of Muharram (Islamic month in which the martyrdom of the Imam Husayn (‘a) is commemorated), Ishraqi came to me and said: “Imam has said that you should prepare to recite masaib when he comes out an hour before Dhuhr.” Then Imam gave the following message: “Tell so-and-so I want this very masaib and this very masaib should be recited.”
From this I sensed that firstly, the attachment that Imam has for the Imams (‘a) is not subject to conditions.
Secondly, that he respects the environment, country and ceremonies of the country that he is fighting for, as well as the ceremonies and customs that are part of Islam and that the Muslims have lived with for more than 1000 years. He is seeking those very ceremonies even though he is in Paris and the heart of the Western land.
On that day, there was a large crowd. Many reporters had also come to prepare their news reports. Imam, who was very sorrowful, came at 11 o’clock in the morning. I sat next to him. He indicated to me to recite the masaib (sufferings) and I started. For those people who had come to see the Imam from all over the world and for those from Western countries, this was very unexpected.
Although Imam Khomeini had the Shah and America against him, on the 9th day of Muharram, he sat and cried for Imam Husayn (‘a). Nobody can ever fully comprehend this.
Hujjatul Islam Muhtashami