In Najaf, once it was at the beginning of the year 1968, there were reports that a group had been sent from Iran on the orders of the Shah to assassinate the Imam. We felt it was a religious obligation to protect the Imam and thus seven or eight of the brethren decided to go to the shrine every night with the Imam and likewise, to go with him when he went to the seminary. On the first night when the Imam was coming towards the shrine, we too followed behind him. After walking a few steps, we reached the end of the lane. The Imam turned back and asked us to return. Of course on that night we held back ourselves and the Imam went to the shrine. But later we sent a message to the Imam that we felt we had a religious obligation and whether he liked it or not, we would follow him behind because we considered it a mandatory religious duty upon ourselves and continued to keep him guard. On the nights when the shrine was extremely crowded, the Iranians that would arrive there for pilgrimage would crowd round the Imam to kiss his hand and the Imam would feel under pressure of the crowd. We would be present there to keep the way open. It occurred many a time that the Imam would say in the midst of the crowd that: “Do not put the people under pressure”—and he would push us aside so that the people would be free and the people were not disrespected.
Do not put the people under pressure: Hujjat al-Islam Muhtashami
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