Memoirs of Marzieh Hadidchi (Part 36)

2018-4-11

Memoirs of Marzieh Hadidchi (Dabbagh) (Part 36)

Edited by: Mohsen Kazemi

Tehran, Sooreh Mehr Publications Company

‎2002 (Persian Version)‎

Translated by: Zahra Hosseinian

Imam Khomeini dined at 9:00pm. One night, the brothers were supposed to watch the film of martyr Mufateh’s speech at Qoba mosque and the march of people. It was coincided with Imam's dinner time. As I liked to watch the film I went to Imam’s room a bit earlier than 9:00pm and asked, "Serve dinner, Sir?" he looked at the clock and said, "No! It's still ten minutes remaining."[1]

There were so many of these events. For instance at 23:00 o'clock, Imam went to bed and woke up at 3:00am and began reciting Quran and performing prayer. His room had the view of the courtyard, and since I was in charge of protecting the inside of the house, I slept behind the door of the same room at night, and I was relieved that there would be no harm to Imam. After Imam awakened, I heard the rustle of paper or his mild voice when he was praying. I do not see that even one time Imam's awaking time was disrupted; for example, he overslept and woke up fifteen minutes later. He was awake at 3:00am sharp.

After morning prayers, Imam ate breakfast, recited some verses of the Quran, and then their meetings began and lasted until 11am; meanwhile, Imam walked in the balcony between 9:00 to 9:20 am. At 11 am, Imam went to a room behind the meeting room for ten to fifteen minutes, and I brought him a cup of tea or sometimes some fruits. Interestingly, during a few minutes taking tea and fruit, Imam asked me to call his wife to go there. Perhaps he would want not to be without her during the time that he had allocated to himself. After a short break, he was interviewed or had visitors again. Near noon, he went to perform ablution again, and prayed in the outer grounds where a tent had been pitched. Sometimes, he preached after prayers. Then he went for lunch. Lunch was often Abgoosht, but at night, he dinned a light meal like, bread and cheese and vegetables and walnut.

After lunch, Imam rested a little and then had various plans; like reading books, newspapers, translated news, and so on. Imam was very interested in listening to domestic and foreign news and followed all the news and events, so that nothing missed out.[2]

With all his precision and order, and despite of the big volume of his plans and visitors’ coming and going in houses No. 1 and 2 at Neauphle-le-Château, Imam showed consideration for people, whether for those who were in his house or for those who came to visit him, and even for neighbors. People of Neauphle-le-Château, who realized that Imam shows consideration for them, were very interested in him and sometimes they stopped and observed him when he was praying and preaching. They were very pleased with Imam, and they considered him the blessing and reputation of their village. They were so interested in Imam so much that when he wanted to leave, they all came to see him off and were upset by this farewell.

Once a few family guests came to visit Imam and they stayed the night. I slept in the kitchen that night, because there were not enough rooms. In the morning, when Imam saw me, said: "Last night I was worried lest you got cold." While I was not a member of his family and I only had the honor of serving at his home. Imam’s treatment reminded me of the Prophet Muhammad’s speech about Salman, “Salman is of us.” and he accepted Salman Farsi as a member of his family. I also felt that I was a member of Imam’s family because of these behaviours. And Imam always called me "Sister Tahereh!" and assigned me duties that I felt his particular attention to me.

It was very cold in Neauphle-le-Château, and I had no proper warm wear. Imam’s wife said on behalf of him, “Sister Tahereh has no warm clothes? It seems that she gets cold and cringe herself.” I said, "No. I have no warm clothe. They have been left in Syria.” Tomorrow, Imam gave me a few francs and said, “Buy a warm cloth for you.” I bought a manteau. But only God knows how much I was obsessed that Imam Khomeini, with being so busy and having so many works to do, he paid attention to everything. His carefulness and all-out attention had originated from the actions and behaviors of immaculate Imams.

To be continued…