Memoirs of Marzieh Hadidchi (Part 6)

2017-8-29

Memoirs of Marzieh Hadidchi (Dabbagh)

Edited by: Mohsen Kazemi

Tehran, Sooreh Mehr Publications Company

‎2002 (Persian Version)‎

Translated by: Zahra Hosseinian

Whispering the Name of Khomeini

The birth of my fourth daughter made the situation more difficult. It was impossible for me to teach and study more than two hours in a day, but I was eagerly wanted to be informed of events and those days' political issues.

In April 1961, grand Ayatollah Boroujerdi passed away. The discussion of determining a learned source of emulation (Marja) was the matter of day. The unfamiliar name of Ayatollah Khomeini was heard from some preachers who sat on the pulpits (Minbar) and preached. This name was more familiar to the seminary students and scholars of Qom. Grand Ayatollahs pioneered for making funeral arrangements of Ayatollah Boroujerdi; Shiites' great source of emulation. This meant introducing them as a learned Marja, but the name of Ayatollah Khomeini was most pronounced due to the characteristics which were attributed to him.

The Shah hypocritically sent a consolation message to Ayatollah Hakim in Najaf. This act was very hard for those who knew the position of Imam Khomeini. It was clear that the Shah has done so because he felt danger of Imam Khomeini, and because he wanted to transfer the center of the world's Shiite authority from Qom and to Najaf. It was the time that I was familiarized with the name of Ayatollah Khomeini.

In 1962, the provincial association bill[1] was approved by the cabinet, which led to protests and disagreements. The clerics, scholars, and grand Ayatollahs opposed the bill and issued declarations and leaflets. Imam Khomeini’s statements and telegraphs which were read by clerics on the pulpits were clearer than all other ones. Eventually, the bill was abolished with wide wave of protests.

Ascension

I really wanted to see the man, whose courage, frankness, audacity, and eloquent and admirable speeches were spoken. Maybe this love was more for me. I had a premonition that he was the one who could answer my numerous questions. Achieving such an opportunity was an out of reach wish.

One night, as I had been surrounded by the sorrowful aura of severe injustice, discrimination, and oppression in the society; put my head on the pillow and, while I was overwhelmed with a great sorrow, I fell asleep. I dreamed that in our house's nested rooms separated by a closet; a handsome man (Seyyed), who shone with divine light, had lain down on a mattress and silently moaned and constantly raised his right shoulder and said, "ouch," and again fell back on the mattress. In my dream, I was upset by this scene and asked my husband ‘why don't you tell me you've invited a guest? If I know that you have a guest and he is sick, I will help him and bring him some water and bread. If you had told me in the evening that this man suffered backache, I would help him and alleviate his pain. I was complaining to my husband, when I woke up suddenly and my heart throbbed rapidly. I could not believe what I saw is a dream. It was not just a simple dream, but it was a true dream. I could not sleep until morning and I would always think of the dream I had seen. The face of that man was familiar to me. I racked my brains so much to remember where I've seen him.

It seemed that there was a light in my heart and a cry from the inside or an occult voice said to me that this is a warning, a guiding device! From that night onwards, I decided to pay more attention to spirituality, and to fill my soul with infinite divine love; and with the resort to the immaculate ones (as) ask them to guide me. I started with doing some recommended religious duties and connection with God.

A few days after this night, the provincial association bill came up and after that I received opposing declarations of Imam Khomeini, and a photo of him. Yes! That was the image of the man (Seyyed) whom I had dreamed; it was himself! It was a memorable and exciting moment for me. My heart did not have enough capacity for such an enthusiasm, tears came from my eyes, and I raised my hand to the sky and asked God to bring this small disciple to visit this great and free-spirited mentor.

Leaflets and pictures were handed out among people. My husband worked in market at that time and received good information and news due to his communication with other businessmen and people, and he also informed me. He contributed in distributing leaflets and market statements. In those days, the motive for such activities and participating in such areas was created in me, so I asked my husband to let me take part in these affairs. After that, my husband brought leaflets home at night and I would put them inside a bag. And during the days, under the pretext of going to the public bath or shopping or visiting relatives, I handed them over to another person at a certain place. He also took the bag and brought it to another city for distribution.

This dream and this movement was the beginning of my political activities.

To be continued…