The seminary students who attended Imam’s study circles or lessons at seminaries in the holy city of Najaf recall that Imam had very serious personality, but at the same time sometimes used to display a great sense of humor.
Once Imam was explaining and undertaking a serious debate about a theological topic. In the middle of lecture, a seminary student raised some questions. Imam gave very satisfactory answers. But the student, who was from Azeri community, kept asking more questions.
At this Imam said, Yokh, which means in Azeri language “no”.
All participants started laughing after Imam uttered this expression. But Imam himself kept concentration on the lesson and lecture.
Imam sometimes uttered expressions during his lessons which made others laugh but he himself used to maintain his seriousness as if nothing had happened.
(A memoirs by Hojjat al-Islam Ali Dawani)