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Glimpses from the Life of Martyr Muhammad Ali Raja'i
Ex-Prime Minister and President of the
Islamic Republic of Iran
Introduction
The present book is a collection of some precious memoirs, which are selected from the book 'Martyr, Raja'i’s good manners.'
By the blessing of Almighty Allah, Persian version of this book was genuinely welcomed by readers, and published for the third time in less than one year. But due to its bulky content, we decided to select and publish separately, some useful and proper parts of the book for dear youth and adolescents and also for those who may not have enough time to read voluminous books.
Martyr Raja'i himself considered the study of his life stories profitable for youth and adolescents and emphasized it in his will.
May Almighty Allah grant our pious and revolutionary young generation the advantage of characters like Martyr Raja'i and grant highly the Muslim nation of the World to follow Martyr Raja'i’s manners, which was a clear manifestation of Late Imam Khomeini’s (S.A.) behavior.
“I do not oblige anyone but I think it will be useful for students to read my life story as a written book.” (Martyr Raja'i)
Ayatollah Khamenei (ha) Reciting the holy Qur’an!
SAVAK arrested me in the month of Azar 1353 ‘hegira’. Mr. Raja'i was also arrested on the same day. We were imprisoned in the so-called ‘Anti Anarchy’ Committee in block one. I was in cell number 20 and he was in cell number 18. Between our two cells there was cell number 19.
I had made connection with the man in cell number 19 by signs. He told me, that: “there is some one in cell number 18 who says that he knows you”. I got that he is Mr. Raja'i. Then, we transmitted our messages through the man in cell No.19. Mr. Raja'i used to recite the Holy Qur’an and Azan (call for prayers) very emotionally and quickly, and I became aware of his situation through cell No.19.
Ateqah Sadeqi (his wife)
Let them drink first!
Mr. Raja'i was arrested by SAVAK and we were completely uninformed of his situation. After three months they gave us ten minutes to visit him. Of course they wanted to take advantage of this meeting and get some precise information about him, his partisans, sympathizers, and friends. Before meeting they asked some questions from his sister, and me in order to acquire some secret information, but they obtained nothing.
It was interesting that they did not inform him, that he is going to visit us; therefore he thought that as usual they are taking him to be cross-examined and tortured.
When we saw him, he was very pale and feeble which indicated that during the period he was arrested, he was not exposed to light.
Usually in this kind of meetings SAVAK did not let families to bring anything for the prisoners except a little fruit juice; we did the same and took about two glasses of fruit juice in a flask. When we offered Mr. Raja'i a glass of fruit juice, he refused to take it and pointed to the guards who had taken him to visit us and said: “First, let these gentlemen drink, then I will drink.”
Apart from his Islamic emotions, he did so in order to make prison officials optimistic toward political prisoners and neutralize SAVAK’s conspiracies.
It was so unimportant!
When Kamal (Mr. Raja'i’s son) was about 5-6 years old, he used to play outdoors. He usually took keys with him in order to be able to open the door while coming back. One of those days I decided to go out to buy some thread. I asked Kamal to bring the key for me to lock the door. I assume someone heard my voice in the back alley and understood that I am going out of the house and nobody is at home, so he jumped over the wall and entered the house. He had deranged all furniture and opened Mr. Raja'i’s cupboard. Finally he had stolen a photo camera, some shirts, a radio and Mr. Raja'i’s check book.
When I returned home, I found the door open. I entered the room and found everything in disarray and disturbed. I understood that during the short time I was out, a thief had entered the house. Therefore I called up Mirdamad high school, where Mr. Raja'i was teaching there at that time and wanted them to ask Mr. Raja'i to come to the phone. When he talked to me and I informed him of the case, surprisingly he was very indifferent and unemotional and said: “It was not so important to pull me out of class!”
I explained: “You should inform the bank to avoid the thief from using your check book”. Although, he did so, but he was very calm as if nothing had happened or what has happened comparing to the importance of teaching and teaching is worthless. Even when he came home it was so unimportant for him that made me not to ask whether he informed the bank or not.
Thursday fasting!
Mr. Raja'i was a man of determination and powerful will. When he decided to do something he would certainly do it; even in critical situation. He had a regular program to fast every Thursday (It was either his mother’s lapsed fasting or for the sake Almighty Allah). Some Thursdays we took a trip to Qazvin city. He observed the regular program and didn’t eat or drink until sunset but he broke his fast right before sunset, because it prohibited fasting while on trip.
When I argued him that it is prohibited to fast on trip, he made me to understand by gesture. Because he didn’t talk much- that he wasn’t fasting. He is just trying not to give up his habit. After our marriage, it took a long time that I found out that he regularly fasted on Thursdays, because he never mentioned that he is fasting! He behaved in a way that I thought he has had his lunch out and has no appetite for food! But later on when he stayed home on Thursdays and did not eat I found out that he fasts on Thursdays.
Changing Clothes Twice a Week!
Mr. Raja'i was very careful about his clothes. At that time tailors made spare collar and wrist for shirts and enclosed them with the clothes to their customers. When the collar and wrists were worn out, we changed them at home. He was very careful about his clothes, and if there happen to be some dirt or dot on it he would remove it immediately. He usually changed his shirt twice a week. He had three or four shirts and two sets of brown suites, and wore them frequently.
Neighbours!
Mr. Raja'i was quiet respectful to his neighbours and ordered us to be respectful to them too. He was especially affectionate with those neighbours who went to mosque. He behaved very kindly and friendly with their children.
Don’t speak loudly!
Regarding the fact that adolescents fell asleep a bit deeply, especially early in morning when it is time for Morning Prayer. Mr. Raja'i’s method to wake up children for Morning prayers was to stand above their head and talked loudly to the others jokingly: “Don’t speak loudly, you will disturb kids and wake them up!”
Our kids were between 6 to 10 years old. They were enthusiastic to wake up for praying Morning Prayer, but Mr. Raja'i emphasized that they wake up early before the crack of dawn. If sometimes they were tired and didn’t wake up on time, then he would sit above their head and kindly rub their shoulder and talked to them.
By these emotional methods he intended to get the children accustomed to wake up early for prayer. He was very careful that his children are not affected with a bitter memory of waking up for praying.
Modesty!
Mr. Raja'i loved his mother and pampered her. On the occasion of New Year day or birthdays and other happy occasions he usually bought perfume and, he used to apply perfume on his mother's clothes and kiss her face and hands as a sign of respect and courtesy. If he felt that his mother was upset about something, he pampered her and tried to refresh her by teasing.
Mother’s feet!
When Mr. Raja'i came back from his daily activities, as soon as he changed his clothes, he went to his mother and kissed her face and hands and coddled her. Sometimes he put his head on his mother’s feet and reclined for some moments and said: “even if you get old, you feel like a kid beside your mother!”
Stay at the other end!
Mr. Raja'i’s sister narrated that: “In the early days of his entrance to air force, he was appointed as the supervisor of the kitchen. Commanders trusted his honesty and uprightness. Some people working in the kitchen, who had ill thoughts and wasted and stole kitchen’s properties and material, became unhappy, when they saw Mr. Raja'i’s correct behaviour and his strong faith, they suggested to give him and excessive amount of money and told him: “We give you this money every month, and you stay at the other end of the kitchen and don’t stick your nose into our business!” Although the suggested amount of money was very enormous and he was quiet young and was very needy for that money, he refused to accept their proposal.
Kumerth Saberi
Without hands!
Once in Qom, we went visit the holy shrine of ‘Hadrat-e Ma’sumeh’. As long as Mr. Raja'i had not come into scene no one knew us, but when he joined us; someone noticed him, and made loud slogan: “Peace be upon Mohammad (The Prophet of Islam); welcomes Imam’s comrade.” In a few seconds Mr. Raja'i was surrounded by a huge crowd. ‘Sadeq Azizi’ who was with us took my hand and prevented me from following him. Therefore we remained behind and Mr. Raja'i was encircled by the crowd. For the little while when I was amongst people with Mr. Raja'i, I was endangered to stumble under their feet. Since then I was afraid to go amongst crowd with Mr. Raja'i. We came back to the car before Mr. Raja'i. A few minutes later the crowd pushed Raja'i towards the car. When he got in the car he was tired and sweating. Everybody wanted to kiss him or shake his hand or at least get closer to him. Thousands of people in that gathering all wished to do so. When we left the scene, I told him: “This situation is harmful for you, and you should not go amongst the crowd, otherwise you might break your hand and feet.” Out of breath, he said: “Some of them took my hand and pulled it toward themselves, the crowd was pulling me toward the opposite direction. Suddenly I felt that, I am going to loose my hand.” I said: “in these cases you should have some body guards to protect you from crowd.” He said: “never mind; I can live without hands, but not without people.”
No difference!
Once I told Mr. Raja'i: “When this old man brings us tea, I feel shy!” He asked: “Why?” I said: “because he is older than us and resembles our father, he should not bring us tea!” He smiled and said: “you mean working is shameful?” And continued: “As an intellectual, do you think working as a consultant of a prime minister has any superiority over working as a servant of a Prime Minister? But each person has to do his own job.” Then he added: “When he brings you a cup of tea, praise him for that. As a result he will be happy because he can only make good tea. He cannot prepare texts for lectures, like- you do. When you prepare a text, I encourage you; similarly when he makes tea, you can encourage him. If I tell someone that Saberi has prepared such a good text, it will cheer you up. Nobody is going to encourage this old man for preparation of a good text, because he knows nothing about that.” Then he continued: “Saberi, do you really think there is any difference between these two jobs!!!?”
Marzyyah Hadidahchi Dabbagh
Love!
Mr. Raja'i’s respectful wife narrated that, once he told me: “I love you for the sake of yourself; not for the sake of my own!” And then continued: “How good it is that you also love me for the sake of myself, not for the sake of yourself!” This expression is the key point in strengthening amity and friendship among members of a family, and shows the deepest sincerity of a human being.
Glass is missing!
Mr. Raja'i’s wife narrated: “During his whole life Mr. Raja'i never asked me to give him something. He usually did what he needed himself! For example, if he was thirsty, he would never ask me to give him a glass of water; he would himself go and take and drink it! Even in case he couldn’t find glass to drink water, he didn’t ask me to give him the glass! He usually said: “It seems that the glass is missing!”
Abbass Saheb-uz-Zamani
Self-confidence!
Mr. Raja'i insisted on appointing me as the general director of Education Department for Tehran province. I told him: “I prefer to be a teacher and there are more eligible people for this position.” He answered, “Also there are many people who are much better than me to be the minister of education.” And then continued: “why do you think I accepted to become the Minister of education?” I answered: “Perhaps, you have convinced yourself to accept to be the Minister, but I can not!” He said: “No, do you think those Ministries before revolution were more capable than us? No, they were just a little famous. Other’s flattering made them famous.” Then he said: “We should not think that we are incapable. We should always have self-confidence.”
Raja'i, the Minister
Mr. Raja'i gave me a call and asked me to accept a responsibility. I apologized and refused to accept it. He called me again and firmly ordered: “Abbass, come to my house on Friday. I want to talk to you, but don’t forget to put on your overcoat!” I asked: “Alright, but I don’t know why should I put on my overcoat?” he said: “the weather is too cold and our heater is not working, I am afraid you catch a cold.”
I asked: “What is wrong with your heater?” He said: “The heater’s pipe inside the roof has been worn out and I have not found an opportunity to go change it.” I told him: “May I ask Aqa Ne’mat, (The servant of ‘Kamal’ School where Mr. Raja'i and I used to teach there before he become the Minister of Education) to come and repair it?” He said: “No, don’t bother! If you ask him to do so, he might think that because I have become the minister, I order him to come and repair my heater pipe! I have to take this responsibility! Someday, when I find an opportunity, I will repair it.”
Above my head!
When martyr Raja'i was the Minister of Education, I went to meet him. A written slogan (Reactionary Raja'i), engraved by a nail, over on the wall above his head surprised me. I asked: “who has written this?” He answered: “Just before you, some quarrelsome teachers were here and one of them wrote these words notwithstanding my presence and went out, because I did not agree with their opinions.
I asked: “why don’t you erase them now?”
He answered: “No, these words should remain above my head so that everybody knows that Education Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran permits people to come and say their ideas. We should talk with them. They will either accept our ideas or vice- versa. In any case we should let them to express their ideas.”
Future Objectives!
One of Mr. Raja'i’s serious advises to students was to determine their future objectives. He used to say: “write down you objectives and find out what are you going to do and to what extent are you going to promote in your life”. He tried to explain for students not to be tunnel visioned and limited only to scientific and educational progress. He tried to expand their social and cultural activities.
Abd-us-Samad Raja'i
Half glasses of water!
When somebody asked Mr. Raja'i for a glass of water; he usually did not fill the glass completely. Once I asked him: “my dear uncle, why don’t you fill it up to the top?” He said: “There are two cases, either it is enough for you, therefore, there will be no water left in your glass to be wasted; or you will need some more that I will give you.”
A Good System!
After returning from France, Mr. Raja'i said: “When I arrived in Paris and went to a hotel, the bellboy took my suitcases up to my room. I gave his some changes as bonus. When he took it, changed it into small coins, and then put some of it into a box. I asked him: “why did you put it in the box? I gave it all to yourself’. He answered: “In this hotel there is a rule that all of servants put a part of their bonus in the box, and whoever runs in to a problem can take from that box to solve it.” Then Mr. Raja'i continued: “It is a good system. We had better implement this system in our weekly family meetings.” All of us accepted his idea. We elected somebody in charge of collecting the money and everybody helped as much as possible.
Resistance!
In the year 1335 (1956) I was 7 years old and I lived with my uncle (Mr. Raja'i) on Samangan Street in Narmak area. Then, he had special programs for refinement of his character. For instance when we went to take a bath, he sat under shower and asked me: “Dear Samad, please shut the cold water slowly.” I obeyed and shut the cold water completely. He sat under burning hot water with his thin body and olive complexion and did not move until his skin turned red. I told him: “Dear uncle, I am feeling suffocated from burning vapours”. Then he said: “O.k., now gradually turn on the cold water and shut down the hot one”. Because I was a child and I wanted to play tricks upon him, I opened and closed valves suddenly. But again he did not move. At that time I did not understood what he meant by doing so, but later I understand that at that time he had predicted that some day in future SAVAK would arrest and torture him, therefore he was preparing himself for that purpose.
Courtesy!
Mr. Raja'i respected his mother very highly. During some years in which I lived at his house, he usually stood in attention in front of his mother! He never said a word in contrast with what she said! He had also a very respectful and humble conduct with my father who was his older brother! He did not say anything in contrast with what he said too.
Mas’ud Rasuli
You should be trustable!
One of Mr. Raja'i’s advices that impressed me a lot was this expression: “You should try to be trustable and not unreliable.”
Sun is rising!
My uncle (Mr. Raja'i) acted in a way that practically made people to conduct goods and restrain from evils. Sometimes I stayed in his house over nights. When he woke up to offer his morning prayers, he tried to wake me up to offer my prayer without asking me directly to do so! For example, he recited loudly or he walked around noisily. If I didn’t wake up by these signs, then he chanted loudly saying: “Sun is rising.”
Don’t be a burden!
Whenever Mr. Raja'i saw me working, he usually advised me: “Try to work and survive with your own earning, don’t be a burden to anyone. Try to master your career completely”.
Murtaza Sajedi
Asked from another shop!
Once a labourer came to my shop and asked the time. I didn’t had a watch, so I didn’t answer him. Mr. Raja'i, who was a 16-year old teenager and sell low-priced things in front of my shop, went to next-door shop immediately and asked the time. Then he came out and told the labourer the exact time. Since adolescence, Mr. Raja'i was enthusiastic about helping people. If there was someone else instead of Mr. Raja'i, he wouldn’t bother to ask the time from another shop for the sake of someone else.
Bargaining?
The year was 1328 (Hijra). I had a shop in Sar-Cheshmeh, Tehran. Mr. Raja'i was a 16 years old young man. As a peddler, he used to sell things in front of my shop. He sold baskets and glasses and earned money to live with his old mother. Once two young ladies came to him and asked: “How much is a glass?” He answered: “Each one is 2.5 Rials or 3 Tumans a dozen.” They told him: “Give us a dozen”. He asked them with a special honesty: “Madam, why don’t you bargain?” one of them asked surprisingly: “Why should we bargain?” He answered: “If you bargain, I can reduce the price to 2 Tumans a dozen and I will still get 2 Rials benefit”. He had paid 18 Rials for each dozen. Ladies laughed at each other, because they thought he is a naive boy. But Mr. Raja'i was an honest young man with a great sympathy toward people. The young man talked sense, for he couldn’t sleep well if he had benefited more than what he should.
All his saving!
Once I told Mr. Raja'i that, I want to buy a house. It costs 7500 tumans, and I neither have all this money nor someone lend it to me! He gave me all his savings, which was 600 Tumans and said: “Since you can’t return the whole money at once, give it back to me gradually”.
Surely, if he didn’t help me, I would never be able to buy a house.
Hasan Askari-rad
I will not speak!
Due to some disputes, which existed in the society; Imam Khomeini (R.A) forbade any kind of speech, and this order specially regarded “Banisadr”. Mr. Raja'i also welcomed this order. Once some combatants came to see him. Mr. Raja'i refused to give them even a few advices. When I asked the reason; he said: “Imam has ordered us not to make speeches, lest there would be some points, which are opposite to Imam’s ideas. I will not say even few words.”
Not in good mood!
I was the secretary for president, Mr. Raja'i usually past through my office for entering or departing from his office. Once in the morning as usual he came to my office and I greeted him and he responded to me, and then entered his office. Some minutes later he wanted me to go to his office and said: “I think I didn’t greet properly with you this morning! I was deeply engaged with budget problem. I remember that you said hello to me but I am not sure that I properly responded to you! I feel that I did not conduct as usual! Therefore I want you to forgive me for any shortcoming in my behaviour. I was not in the mood! When I came out of his office, I envied his high spiritual level as being the president, he asked for excuse from his secretary, for such an unimportant matter.
We are revolutionary!
Martyr Raja'i was the Minister of Education. An old man came to his office and complained about the principal of the school, because he did not promote his son’s scores who had failed the final exam. He tried to make Mr. Raja'i to ask the principal to promote his son’s score, but he didn’t accept to do so. Suddenly the old man began to insult Mr. Raja'i by shouting at him. Mr. Raja'i kept quiet smiling, patient and watched him without any reaction. When the man saw no reaction, decided to leave the office. Some officials told Mr. Raja'i: “This man made a rude and impolite action. You should permit us to punish him.”
Mr. Raja'i answered: “No, it is not necessary.” When the man left, he smiled and said: “Brothers, now I feel that we are revolutionary and this man who shouted at me has to know that we are changed after revolution. Otherwise he would not come here to insult his Minister. He also knows that the era in which, if someone had said a single word against a minister, he would have been punched right in his mouth, is over.”
Family right!
Mr. Raja'i was very careful about his appearance. He was quite neat and clean. Once late at night, when he wanted to leave the office of Prime Ministry, he went in front of mirror and put everything in order. For a laugh, I told him: “What are you doing! It’s so late at night! Nobody is going to meet you! What for you are arranging yourself! He replied: “Don’t you think that our families have some rights! Whenever their husband and father wants to come out of home, tides himself, but when he returns home he is untidy and it is not proper. Why don’t we regard our families as a part of society?
Muhammad Sadeqi
Particular taste!
When eating, my uncle (Mr. Raja'i) was the first one to begin eating and the last one who will finish. Of course his food was so little. We were young and ate fast. Once, we had Ghormeh Sabzi (a famous Iranian food). I asked him: “Dear uncle why do you eat so slowly?” He answered: “There has been a lot of trouble for this food to be prepared. I want to taste each particle of this food”. Then he continued: “the beans, vegetables and meat which are in this food, all have their own peculiar taste. If you eat fast without paying attention, you won’t enjoy its taste! In that case, what’s the difference between a piece of dried bread and a delicious food”.
Someone similar to me!
When Mr. Raja'i (my uncle) was prime minister he usually came to pay a visit to my mother. After one of these visits, when he left our house, I accompanied him, because I was fond of him and liked to spend more time with him. On the way home he bought a couple of loaves of bread and we continued walking towards his house. We walked a long way up to ‘Ab-Sardar intersection’. In ‘Fakhr Abad’ corner a car turned in front of us and stopped for a little while and the driver looked surprisingly at Mr. Raja'i, who was taking some loaves of bread in his hand and walking down the street.
He could not believe that this man was the Prime Minister Raja'i. The one in the back seat told him: “Look, he is Mr. Raja'i.”
The driver answered: “No! I do not believe so. He resembles Mr. Raja'i. Mr. Raja'i does not walk on the street without body guards.”
I told Mr. Raja'i: “Somebody may decide to shoot you during these walkings.”
He responded: “what you saw now happens to me a lot. As I do my daily inspections unexpectedly, my opponents suppose that I have impostors, so it reduces dangerous action taking against me, unless they go through an intensive identifying process.”
Ezzat Raja'i
Fast the other day!
My uncle (Mr. Raja'i) had obliged himself to pay five or ten Tumans as a penalty, every time he was not able to pray on time. But after a while he said: “No, it is not a good system”. Then he fasted for one day for each late praying. Of course, in two years during which I was at his house, whenever he could not pray on time for example when he came home at 1.30 or 2 O’clock in the afternoon first he prayed and then ate his lunch. Moreover he fined himself and fasted the next day.
Write down what you read!
One of Mr. Raja'i’s recommendations to me about reading books and materials other than textbooks was that: “Try to read based on ‘subject matter’ for; at least you will understand something from each topic. You should not read books like newspaper. Because while reading newspaper, you read a part of a page and turn to another page leaving the rest of the page unread. After a while you will notice that you have read many books but because subjects were miscellaneous you have not learned much”.
In connection with textbook reading, as he was a teacher himself, he recommended: “One of the best methods for learning is to write down - at least once- whatever you read.”
Reza Rasuli
Strengthen your faith!
One of my wife’s relatives was jailed in Qasr prison. He said: “When Mr. Raja'i and some other Muslim activists were imprisoned in the ordinary part of Qasr prison, the authorities of jail wanted us to bother them. But when the prisoners saw Mr. Raja'i and his friends were obliged to offer their prayer in-group and on time, they felt a great affection for him because of his good behavior, and consulted him in their problems. I myself had so many difficulties. When I consulted him about my problem and told him that I have lots of problems; he said: “You should strengthen your faith. If you have a strong faith, it means you have every thing, but if you have no faith then you have nothing”.
Pay a visit!
Once Mr. Raja'i had gone to take his telephone bill from communication office, which was located on Taleqani Street. Afterwards, he also paid a visit to my shop, which was located quite far from the office. He said “I did not come here specially to see you! I came up to communication office for my own business, and then came up to here just to see you.” Surely he hated any obligation, but he insisted to show his interest to his nephew.
Mohsen Sadeqi
Careful about action!
What I remember as a significant character from Mr. Raja'i was his ‘purification of the carnal soul’, which lasted untill the end of his life. He cared too much about his action, behaviour, talking and walking. He walked gently. Stability was evident in his walking. Whenever he came to our house to visit his sister (my wife) he walked in and out of the house in the same manner. His orderly behaviour was very interesting to us.
A Zealous Person!
There was a fruit seller who was maimed with one hand. He sold watermelon and summer crops on his cart. He had a rope-scale and used to hang it on his shoulder with its pans on both sides of his body. When measuring, he used to put fruits in one pan and weighing stones in the other pan with the same hand, and did not let anyone to help him. Mr. Raja'i liked the behaviour and self-confidence of this zealous man and usually bought the fruits from him. Whenever Mr. Raja'i saw him, he used to say: “This man is really zealous and noble. It is a good idea to buy whatever fruit you need from him.” Mr. Raja'i cared much about efficiency and natural ability of people, rather than their appearance.
Yasuf Sabbaghan
New coat. ..!
Once my mother told her brother (Martyr Raja'i, “O’ Dear Mohammad why do not you change your clothes? You always get around with these old clothes. You should wear a new suit.” My uncle replied: “My dear sister, these are not important! One’s mind should work properly!” Other relatives also advised him for the same purpose, and his answer was the same.
Finally, he bought a new coat, and put it on and went to make his lecture on Friday prayer. When my mother watched him with the new coat, she surprisingly called me and said: “Look Yusuf, Your uncle has put on a new coat!!!”
All these are temporal!
After the verification ceremony of Mr. Raja'i’s presidency, which was held in the presence of late Imam Khomeini (R.A), I asked him: “When Haj Ahmad Aqa (the son of Imam) was reading your presidential order, you thoughtfully stared at something. What were you thinking about?” He answered: “Yes!” I asked again: “What was that?” He answered: “Do you remember that we used to play a game in our childhood. In that especial game, one played as a king and the other one as the minister and the third as a Negro slave?
On that particular game the king ordered the Negro slave to do things. At the end of the game, all kids used to sing a song, “We played tricks on you; we made a jock on you, and made a king out of you for some moments. Don’t think that you are a real king. In fact you are the Negro slave”. While he was reading my presidential order, it reminded me of that game and song. I told myself, “It’s right, that you have become President, but In fact you are the same Negro slave and all of these are temporal.”
Recitation of Hamd & Surah!
I slept many nights in my uncle’s (Mr. Raja'i) home and unfortunately sometimes have missed to offer my morning prayer on time. But he did not cast it in my teeth even once. He followed an encouraging method to develop other’s personality. Once unintentionally I recited noon prayer loudly at his house. Without considering my action as a show off, or saying that I should recite it silently, he repeated several times: “Look! How beautifully ‘Yusuf’ recites Hamd Surah”. By this praising he made me aware of my mistake.
Murtaza Ustad Ali Makhmalbaf
Whose picture is this?
Once I yawned in Mr. Raja'i’s class and did not put my hand in front of my mouth. He noticed my action, which drew others attention too. While teaching, he drew a picture, whose mouth was wide-open and asked the students: “Whose picture is this?” Everyone said something. But Mr. Raja'i who intended to give a beneficial advice in a satirical frame, said: “No, this is Makhmalbaf’s picture, who does not put his hand in front of his mouth while yawning.”
The worst reference!
One of Mr. Raja'i’s advices to students for the better understanding was that: “The best technique for learning is to cooperate with each other”. Referring to keys or even to teachers -without thinking- was the worst method in his opinion. He used to advice students: “first think yourselves and refer to teachers at the end. If we teachers are expert in solving problems, it is due to our exercises. If you practice hard, you will also be an expert”.
Muhammad Behfuruzi
Up to the last Rial!
While studying in teachers’ college our salary was 150 Tumans a month. During summer, because we were off, we didn’t get any salary. Mr. Raja'i and I were roommates. Sometimes we paid 12 Rials to eat cutlet. He was cheap to run and content since his youth and used to say: “We should be cost effective”. Sometimes we paid half a Rial to buy a slice of bread and it served as our food. During the year, Mr. Raja'i used to save money for summer in which he didn’t receive salary. He was so systematic in his life and financial affairs as if he was asked how much money he has spent; he would give you the account for the last Rial. Although I got the same salary as he did, but whenever I asked him for money, he had extra money to lend me.
Your problem!
Mr. Raja'i and I were university students. In a psychology class a lady was invited to talk about open relationships between girls and boys. There were some protests to her opinion in class. The Professor supported lady’s opinion and said: “What is wrong with that, if for example my son goes out with someone else’s daughter and probably they marry”. One of the students asked loudly from the end of the class: “So, would you please give me your home address?” Hearing this, the professor got very angry. Mr. Raja'i who usually gave suggestions in the class and usually everyone accepted his opinions; told professor: “Here is your problem. You become upset from a remark similar to your own! He meant that if you approve this opinion, then why do you consider it unilaterally and do not like others to have relations with your daughter!”
Why staring at eye!
During our service in air force, after a long exercise for preparation for marching and parade, they took us to Jalalieh parade Square -in the area, where now Laleh Park is located to march in front of the Shah. It was 21st of Azar ceremony. Due to hate that we had toward the monarchial regime, whenever they assign our unit to take part in such parades, we always tried to escape from participation in parades and did not take part in them. Once we could not escape. The Shah was reviewing our parade and his wife Surayya was standing besides him. After parade was over, Mr. Raja'i told me: “Do you see our situation? We should march in front a woman without Islamic dress and we should stare at her eyes! We can not keep our eyes off her, or even look at another direction!”
Muhammad Husain Qadami
Open and close your eyes!
Once, we were together with Mr. Raja'i. He gave us special recommendation about the importance of night prayer (Salat-ul-Lail) and told us: “even if you feel tired to perform night prayer, you can reduce its “Rak’ats” (prayer unit). But make sure that, tiredness does not prevent you of performing minimum (2 Rak’ats).”
Then he added: “Again, if you feel that you are too tired to pray in standing position, you can pray in sitting position and if it is not possible, try to keep your ablution and say some simple religious recitals in rest position. Again if you can not do this, determine to wake up for the sake of Allah; just open and close your eyes for the sake of Allah.” He was so persistent for night prayers!
Muhammad Rajabi
Be a man; be thoughtful!
When some students consulted Mr. Raja'i about selection of their educational courses or their future jobs and careers, he tried to direct them into what they were interested in.
He usually suggested them indirectly to choose teaching as a job and said “Being a teacher is more valuable in contrast to other jobs. All jobs are good and many people can do them. For example, many people can acquire talent of being doctor or an engineer, but only few persons can become good teachers. Because, this job needs special goals and ideals, and also more patience and resistance.”
One of the mottos he used to write under our exam sheets was:
“Be a man; be thoughtful; be resistant.”
Khusrow Tehrani
Bowing!
Whenever blackboard eraser fell down from Mr. Raja'i’s hand, he did not bend to pick it up; instead he usually sat down without bowing and picked it up. Then he generally told surprised students: “You should never bow for anybody, anywhere and anytime, except for Almighty Allah.”
Hasan Zukaei
Very dashing period
Mr. Raja'i usually reminded us of our adolescence and gave advise to us that: “you are in a period that is characterized by being dashing, challenging and is called ‘unstable’ period in psychology books, because it is the beginning of puberty. An adolescent has the feeling of being an outlaw”.
Then he gave necessary recommendations about how to pass this period. It seemed that no one expected a mathematics teacher to discuss psychological matters in class.
Muhammad Reza Sabzikar
The difference!
When Mr. Raja'i was the prime minister once he went to visit his brother’s family. His sister-in-law (his brother’s wife) complained about social situation and said: “I don’t know what is going on. It is just the same as the time of Howeida (the prime minister of Mohammad Reza Shah), and there is no change; so what are you doing Mohammad?”
Mr. Raja'i respected her a lot due to the services she gave him during his childhood. Therefore he replied kindly: “Do you remember when you were upset of something in that time and you wished to bash on Howeida’s head, but you couldn’t”. Then he bowed his head and said, “The difference is that you can now bash on my head!!!”
Mujtaba Rasuli
Fear authority!
Once early in the morning I went to my uncle’s (Martyr Raja'i) house to give my older brother’s message to him before he left for his office. When I entered the house, I came across with a depressing scene. He was sitting in the house yard with worn-out underwear on, and a glass of milk and some dates in front of him. After greeting, he invited me to have breakfast with him.
Because I used to make joke with my uncle, I told him: “O’ dear uncle, you do not look suitable. We do not expect you to smoke pipe or put orchid flower on your coat’s collar like shah’s Prime Minister, but at least you should have suitable underwear.” And I said laughingly: “O’ dear uncle, it seems that you are the Prime Minister.”
After my joke, which was mixed with seriousness, he told me sadly: “You can buy one for me.” I replied: “You are the Prime Minister, why should I buy for you?” He paused for a while and then told me something, which was engraved in my mind like an engraved design on a stone. He said: “You should be afraid that someday power takes your uncle away from you!!! You should pray for the dominance of your uncle over his authority and power, not the dominance of authority over him!!!” I became so glad for his advice, and embraced him and kissed his forehead.
Ghulam Redha Fadhel
Low quality fruit!
One of Mr. Raja'i’s friend said: “We did not really apprehend Mr. Raja'i’s personality. Once, I went to see him, and he was on the way to ‘Zhaleh’ square to buy some fruit. I asked him: “Why do not you buy from Iran street, which is close to your house?” He answered: “I want to buy fruits from a friend who has a pushcart in Zhaleh square.” I accompanied him. When we reached there, he greeted the man, and tried to select low quality fruits, out of my sight. (In Iran, people usually select good quality fruits, and low quality fruits are left for poor people who cannot support to buy good quality fruits). I was surprised by his action, and selected good quality fruits and put them in the pocket but he stealthily took them out and replaced them with low quality ones. He paid at the rate of high quality fruits and we said goodbye.
On the way back I asked him the reason. He smiled and said, “Never mind”. But I was eager to find out the reason. He smiled again and said nothing. I urged him and said: “If you really intended to save money why did you pay him at the rate of good quality fruits?” He smiled and said: “It is a different story! This old man had two sons. One of them was martyred by SAVAK, and the other one is captured by SAVAK, and is in prison because of political activities. This man is living in a bad condition and has no good income. I and some of other friends have decided to help him, by selecting low quality fruits and paying at the rate of good quality fruits without informing him.”
Muhammad Ensani
May I come in!
Mr. Raja'i used to say: “When I enter the class, No one is authorized to enter the class after me” And noted: “Even if I was delayed, you stand behind the door and do not let me to come in”. He was always on time, but one morning due to some problems, he was a couple of minutes late. On the other hand, we were looking for an opportunity to catch him out; so we closed the door and put his chair behind it. When Mr. Raja'i wanted to enter the class, he came across with the closed door! Delicately, he opened the door and with his forefinger up asked for permission and smilingly said: “May I come in?”
Do not extend your hand!
Mr. Raja'i’s followed a special method in teaching. Whenever he wanted to teach a new lesson, all students should put their pen, notebook, and book aside and just focus their attention into what he would say. He did not answer miscellaneous questions in class, because he did not want to waste the time in class. Once I asked him: “Sir, why do not you answer our religious question?” He replied: “I have free time in the afternoons. You can come and ask your miscellaneous questions”. On the same day, when class was over, he drew together the students who had questions in the library and then said: “Now ask every question you have”. One of the students asked: “Sir. Do you go to religious gatherings?” He answered: “Yes I do”. Another student asked: “Do you stay there for lunch also?” He answered: “On Tasua and Ashura (The ninth and tenth of Moharram) I go to a mourning ceremony on Ziba street which is held for commemoration of martyrs of Imam Hussain (A.S.). But I do not stay for food“. The student asked, “Why don’t you stay? Is there a problem to stay for lunch?”
Mr. Raja'i answered: “I remember once I was there for a mourning ceremony, they kept us for lunch. They told us that we were Imam Hussein’s guests. So we stayed there. When I saw the way they distributed the food I decided to leave, but the doors were locked”. I asked: “What was wrong with distribution of the food?” He answered: “People have veneration and honor which are ignored during some of these food distributions. Everyone has a kind of generosity and magnanimity. In these gatherings usually some people ask the distributors to give them food. When it is your turn to get the food, it is served in an unsuitable manner”.
Then he continued: “never beg for something, even if it is Imam Hussein’s food. You should sit down and wait until they give it to you respectfully”.
Kazem Naeini
Lots of Ministers and few teachers!
Mr. Raja'i returned from a lecture and wanted to go to his office. Someone came to him and said: “I have requested before to change my teaching place and you should certainly do that!” Mr. Raja'i gave him some reasons that it is not possible to do so, and told him: “My dear brother, you have come here twice and I told you that it is impossible.” He said violently “Mr. Raja'i, I swear, if you don’t do so, I will prepare a gun and shoot right in your head!” If there were someone else instead, or even if Mr. Raja'i was not the Minister, he would give a proper answer to this kind of rudeness. But Mr. Raja'i smiled and said: “I was afraid and became worried! Because I thought you wanted to shoot in your own head. Then I would become so upset, because your 60 pupils would loose their teacher. My brother, it is not important to shoot in my head, because there are many volunteer people to become a Minister. But very few volunteer people to become a teacher, therefore, I became fearful.”
Sayyed Ali Akbar Parwaresh
For the sake of Imam!
Most often Banisadr (the first president of Iran who was removed from office by parliament) used to conduct in an irrespective and impolite manner with Mr. Raja'i who the prime minister at the time. I remember, during one of their meetings he told Banisadr: “You should understand that if we ignore your improper behavior, it does not mean that we are afraid of you. The reason is that we, the authorities of the country, are like people who are at the apex of a mountain. If we struggle against each other, two dangers will threaten us. First, our action will make people worried, and second, since we are at the peak, our fall is unavoidable. Therefore, one of us should come down and I have come down.” Then he added: “But you should not imagine if I don not react to your insults, it means that I am afraid of you. I will not react against you only and only for the sake of Imam (R.A) and noting else.”
Muhammad Husain Rafiei Tari
I pick up a needle!
While Mr. Raja'i was president of Iran, once I met him after he returned back from a meeting with Imam Khomeini (RA). He was thoughtfully walking in his office.
I asked him: “Mr. President, what has happened? Are you worried about something? Has Imam (RA) ordered something harsh? He said: “No.” I asked: “So, why are you so thoughtful?” He answered: “While working, even if a needle falls down from my table, I will pick it up and put it back in its place, because I’m afraid of being indebted to Muslim’s treasury. Today when I met Imam, he gave me the responsibility to spend budget of...He told me that he accepted my way of spending and consumption of budget.” Then he continued: “I feel this permission as heavy as a mountain on my shoulder. If I spend the budget based on my own inclinations, how will I respond in front of Almighty Allah in the Day of Judgment?”
Jamilah Raja'i (his daughter)
Firm like a mountain!
Before being arrested, despite his full engagement, my father was very careful about us. He tried to make us happy by all means. A year before being arrested and put into jail, once he took us to mountain. The memory I bear in my mind from that mountain climbing trip is that he tried to teach us resistance and stability. He said: “humankind should be firm like mountain.” It was really interesting for me; he not only took us for recreation, but also gave lessons about insistence. Some times when we became tired and could not climb, he would wait for us to do our bests. If we could not make it, he would help us, and encourage us. He some times ingrained our names on stones and by this action drew our attention to the fact that some things are mortal while some are lasting in nature.
Muhammad Raja'i
Brother’s attendance!
Whenever Mr. Raja'i came to visit my father, he used to inform in advance. I never observed even a little change in his behavior toward his older brother. Being the Prime Minister did not change his courtesy toward his older brother. He did not sit relaxed and comfortable in front of my father, although he always sat on his knees in our house. He was so polite as whenever he wanted to relax in our house, he got permission to do so.
Muhammad Husain Shirwani
Walking backward!
When he was a teenager, Mr. Raja'i lived with his brother’s family. My sister was his sister-in-law. She was very helpful and kind to him.
My sister told me: “When Mohammad (Mr. Raja'i) became a teacher, he respected me very much, due to the services I carried out for him then. For example, if I was sitting in the room and he wanted to go out, he used to walk backward. When I asked the reason he said: “You have suffered a lot for me. I do not want to turn my back to you while walking.” This young man is so polite and pious that I feel grateful to be his servant.”
Mr. Raja'i also cited about her: “She is so holy woman. Most of times she used to pray in her free time.”
Muhammad Now’ei
Improve personality!
As much as I remember from Mr. Raja'i’s contact with me (his nephew); he did not advice us directly and never ordered directly to pray or go to mosque or do this or that, but he behaved in a way everybody enjoyed his behaviour and made it a pattern for himself.
For example, at the time of Azan (Call for prayer) he used to say: “well I am going to mosque, you can come with me”. He did not impose his idea and also he gave us freedom to have a choice in order to improve our own personality.
Hasan Raja'i
Relative Employee!
Once I went to the Prime Minister's office to visit my uncle (Mr. Raja'i). I wrapped my little pistol in a handkerchief and hid it. When I entered the building the guards did not know me and wanted to inspect me. I swiftly raised my hands, so they did not notice that I have a pistol, therefore I entered easily. I put the pistol on my uncle’s desk and told him the story and asked him: “Dear uncle, in this dangerous situation they do not protect you properly, they don’t feel enough responsibility. At least, let one of your close relatives stand in front of the last entrance to your office and protect you more effectively.” As soon as he heard the story, said: “No, first of you will fell behind at your job, and I do not like people to say after me, that Raja'i has given jobs to his relatives in the Prime Ministry office. I thank you and will recommend the guard to be more cautious.”
Some months later, when I saw his burnt body, I felt a flame in my heart. I remembered how deeply he cared about people and the Revolution, and finally he embraced martyrdom in such a mournful condition. His body was completely burnt in sitting position on the chair. When we tried to straighten up his feet, they broke into pieces!
Habib-ullah Shafiq
The small Qur’an!
Mr. Raja'i always had a small pocket Qur’an with him. Whenever he had an opportunity, he took it out and read it. Sometimes it was thought that he is memorizing some verses of the holy Qur’an. He was deeply acquainted with the holy Qur’an. While he made speeches; he usually opened the holy Qur’an and took advantage of it. The main body of his discussions was interpretation of verses of the holy Qur’an.
Abul-Fazl Qadiani
Furious while being young!
Mr. Raja'i and I were in charge of the central organization of Muslim captives in Qasr prison. Everyday, we had long period discussions about the on going situation and events in the prison.
Sometimes, due to some different opinion about special problems of the jail, I got quite furious. But on the other hand, Martyr Raja'i was very patient and tolerated my ill nature to the point that I became regretful and ashamed. I took lesson from his patience and understood that I have to improve my morals. He used to advice me on those situations and said: “You should gradually try to cure this attitude.” And then continued: “When I was young, I was more nervous than you are, but decided decisively to set aside my anger and forget it”.
Behzad Nabawi
Orderly conduct!
While in prison, Mr. Raja'i was very orderly and did not do his daily programs in haphazard order. In the meetings we had, he was punctual and on time. His sport, eating, refreshment, readings and sleeping programs were all on time and did not change at all. When I asked him about his being so disciplined, he answered: “I learnt this discipline from Ayatollah Dr. Beheshti”.
Muhammad Ali Rahmani
Acrimony!
During two years in which Mr. Raja'i was under numerous investigations and torturing by SAVAK, he did not give any secret information to Shah’s regime, therefore the petty group of hypocrites, ‘Monafeqin’ propagated that he belonged to their group. But when Mr. Raja'i was imprisoned, their organization felt that he was not in agreement with them. On the other side, Mr. Raja'i’s behaviour was so impressive that any newcomer activist was absorbed and joined him and did not join to the organization. His isolation was a great shock for the organization. Because their efforts for attraction of Mr.Raja'i was not welcomed by him; they began to scorn and belittle Mr. Raja'i, and debase him by giving titles such as ‘Phalangist’ and etc. Sometimes in order to show their hate toward him, they spitted in front of him, when he was taking Haj Mahdi Ghayuran -whose backbone was broken and could not walk alone- to and from WC They were so rude that they beat Mr. Raja'i's friends in empty nook and corners of the jail; out of sight of police. But these people, in order to avoid disunity among activists, did not mention it to police forces. But the hypocrites continued their cowardly action. When Mr. Raja'i became aware of these actions, he said: “They have acrimony with us. Let them get along with this acrimony. They will always have this problem with us and their behaviour has no effect on me”. He resisted and was patient against their scorn, contempt, slandering and insulting. No one could put up with all these insulting. But he never outraged with anger. But in the face of all these, Mr. Raja'i said: “Now, we are in prison and regime will abuse our disputes and will take advantage of our situation.”
Esmaeil Zamani
An easygoing man!
During 7-8 months of jail, which I was with Mr. Raja'i, I found him very relaxed and easygoing. This was one of the most important features of Mr. Raja'i. He was always modest in the face of every occurrence of the jail; especially his contact with other prisoners or police forces, the degree of kindness or probably anger and etc. A few prisoners had this characteristic. Whenever young activists entered the jail, the petty groups of hypocrites (Monafeqin) tried to attract them toward their organization. We were also very agitated at that time and put aside all our daily programs and tried to attract the newcomers to accept our notion. But Mr. Raja'i was very calm during those situations. Because he was quiet, disciplined, balanced, and orderly, therefore he was more successful to attract the youth. The most important aspect of his morale was his tolerance. Even if he had deep animosity or friendship with somebody, it didn’t affect his apparent status. Many times other captives had argument and quarrel with other fellows or police. These people couldn’t resist and soon ended up with hopelessness and become disappointed and eventually regretful. But we never saw such a condition with Mr. Raja'i.
Muhammad Sa’eid Zarrabian
The umpire!
There was a heavy snow in Tehran and the students of Kamal high school were playing. They threw snowballs to each other. Some teachers tried to stop them, but they were so enthusiastic to play and did not stop playing. When Mr. Raja'i saw their enthusiasm, he felt that it is not fair to oppose their wishes. Therefore he planed to control this public demand and direct it in a proper way. He gathered the students and told us: “Quickly divide into two groups”. He arranged the students of the first and second grade in one group and the elder students who were stalwarts of school in another group. He himself became the referee and said: “Well from now on you got one hour to play snowball, and we will see which team will win”. Students, who had not got this kind of permissions from the high school authorities, became very cheerful and started to play happily. Although Mr. Raja'i was the referee, he supported the younger and weaker team. He told them: “Four of you can make snowballs and another four can shoot snowballs towards the competing team”. Next, he advised all of us not to put stone or ice cube into the snowballs, lest, it will hurt our friends. Then, he started the game. With the strategy that Mr. Raja'i taught the younger team, they acted in organized manner and the competing team members were defeated and fled and took shelter in restrooms.
Game was over! Mr. Raja'i told the students: “Well, your one hour playing time is over, go to classes and begin your studies”.
Sayyed Ali Banaei
A Criticism Session!
One of Mr. Raja'i’s praiseworthy actions was holding a session of criticism once a year. In this session, which was held usually at the middle or the end of educational year, students had freedom to criticize him. He gave freedom to everybody to criticize him from different aspects including teaching method, controlling exam answer sheet, even his personal affairs as, walking, and wearing clothes and so on. Although he was one of the best mathematics teachers in Tehran, some of the students criticized him that: “It seems that your scientific level is not high enough; we expect you to study and learn more about mathematics, so that we can learn more as well”. Perhaps they meant that he should refer to some points out the textbooks.
Mr. Raja'i welcomed the criticizers’ opinion on these cases. For example, he replied: “Yes, you are right, but I also have peripheral studies. I have read such and such books”, and mentioned the name of books and then said: “If I have not pointed out these extra subjects, that was for this reason”; and he declared the reason. At the end he used to say, “Anyway, I try my best to fulfil your recommendations."
These sessions were held to give a chance to students to enhance their self-confidence, and regarding Mr. Raja'i’s seriousness in class, they dared to criticize him and talk freely.
Khusrow Tehrani
I lend you 4 scores!
Mr. Raja'i never gave a score to anyone leniently and based on external assistance. Because he believed that this may harm a student’s personality.
When someone made for example 4 numbers below acceptable score in mathematics, Mr. Raja'i told him “I lend you 4 scores in this exam, but you should compensate it in next exam! Although he did not do so for all students, but just for those whom he imagined are studious ones, but due to some problems could not get a proper score.
Habibullah Peyrowi
Names inside the books!
Sometimes, Mr. Raja'i gave some special recommendations to his students, which indicated his deep concerns. For example, he used to say: “Write your name not only on the cover of your book, but also inside it with an interval of multiplication of number 5 (15, 25, 30...). Whenever your books cover is torn out, this will help you to identify which book is yours.
Mujtaba Rasuli
Life is not only (a+b)!
Once Mr. Raja'i addressed students in class and said: “Life is not only (a+b), to engage ourselves with it, there are more important things that we should pay attention to”. He was quiet eager to make students to go far beyond regular studies and acquire a realistic attitude towards their environment and society problems.
Asadullah Hazrat-zad
The same mistake again!
Although Mr. Raja'i was an outstanding and successful teacher, he was so humble and considered teaching as a significant responsibility. He used to say: “Four of us altogether will make a teacher!” He believed that a teacher should be brave, knowledgeable, just, fluent in speech and fond of his students. His famous key word was: “I made a mistake that I chose teaching as a job! Because it is a very difficult task, but if I am supposed to select a job again, I will make the same mistake again”.
Hurmuz Tawasu Mahyari
My medal!
Each year in different educational areas in Tehran, the high school principals were asked to introduce their best teacher in order for them to attend an annual ceremony, which was held by the presence of Farrukhru Parsa (Minister of Education of the inauspicious Pahlavi regime), and as the out standing teacher, receive specia1 medal, which was gifted by Shah. Regarding Mr. Raja'i’s outstanding activities in Mirdamad high school, the principal told me: “I have decided to introduce Mr. Raja'i as the out standing teacher. You inform him of the case”. But when I informed Mr. Raja'i, he said: “No! I do not need this reward! And I don’t like to be introduced!” When I conveyed Mr. Raja'i’s answer to the principal, he was surprised and said: “Even if I dreamed of receiving a medal from Shah, I would become so excited and would get diarrhoea of this gratification and would loose my control”. When I told this to Mr. Raja'i he said: “This medal is good for diarrhoea which he wishes to have. But if a student asks me about a problem and I teach him how to find the solution; his understanding and smile will be my medal”.
Kazem Naeini
Ladder to hell!
Some of student’s parents came to school and thanked Mr. Raja'i for his skills, sympathy and endeavours in their children’s training. He really deserved thanks, because he was very sympathetic, experienced and expert teacher. In these cases if he was present at the office and heard those praises, he kept quiet and said nothing. Once, he told me: “Do not pay attention to these praises. They are like a ladder to the hell for us! Each praise is like a step upwards, which raises us to the highest point of a ladder from which finally we will fall down to the hell”.
Muhammad Zahraei
Ask Mr...
Sometimes in class, some students went to sleep due to a warm weather or any other reason. Mr. Raja'i would address one of such students and ask him a question. Because he was asleep, he could not answer the question. Mr. Raja'i would immediately say: “He says to ask from Mr ., ...” and asked the same question from another student.
By this method all students would laugh and the sleeping person would wake up and everything restored the status quo.
Habibullah Peyrowi
Fantastic Examples!
Mr. Raja'i made his lessons understandable by giving examples. I remember, once he said: “Have you noticed that a blind person measures his next step by his white stick while moving it forth and back and then takes his next step!” After giving this example he said: “A person should evaluate every action taking before doing it”.
Sayyed Ali Akbar Parwaresh
In case of doubts!
What made Martyr Raja'i a great figure and improved his personality in my eyes was his obedience toward Islam. He was so religion affiliated person. Islam had penetrated into his marrow. It is said in holy verdicts of Islam, that if you are doubtful about something, you should watch out, and Mr. Raja'i observed this. Whenever he doubted about something, he immediately restrained himself. He intervened in discussions up to the point they were related to political issues, but when they turned to be personal ideas and opinions or regarded one’s personal feeling toward others, he stopped giving ideas. Because he thought that they were subjective matters and not related to the community benefits. Even, in eating, sometimes he refused to sit and eat some foods, because of the doubts he had about them.
Muhammad Jawad Raja'ian
He did what he said!
One of the most significant characteristics that I witnessed of Mr. Raja'i during 25 years of friendship was his reality and loyalty towards Islam. As a real Muslim he did, what he said! He was not a man of show off! During these years he had some suggestions for me. I was quiet sure that he never asks me for something which he himself does not put it to practice beforehand. In short, if he did not put something in to practice, he did not talk about either.
Murtaza Sajedi
How to eat grapes!
While being young, once Mr. Raja'i and I were invited to a wedding party. Next to us was sitting a man, who was chewing grape seeds after eating grapes!
Mr. Raja'i noticed his strange and unusual action. Without any verbal reaction, he took a cluster of grape and put them one by one in his mouth and took the seeds out and taught him how to eat grapes.
Kazem Naeini
Is it a nightclub or a class?
During studying at teacher training college, one of our classmates who was a lady without Islamic dress- later she became the manager of Zan-e-Ruz (modern woman) magazine and then a member of Shah’s parliament- gave a lecture opposing the Muslim women and the Islamic dress (Hijab) and defended westernized women. Mr. Raja'i was the only student who stood up and bawled at her in the presence of the professor who was backing the lady. He told the professor: “She is saying unfounded words and talking nonsense and is not aware of anything”. And then continued: “mister, is this a cabaret or a class? Are you a teacher or an advertiser of corruption and immorality?” Then he continued, “Here is a teacher training college and these students want to become a teacher. Why do you induce them such antireligious remarks?” He said this and left the class as a sign of objection.
Sadeq Nowruzi
I’ll eat later!
One of important features of Mr. Raja'i in ‘Evin’ prison was his determination of praying on time, which he never gave up. In the prison they usually brought lunch prior and very close to ‘Azan’ (call for praying). The reason was that if we waited to eat after prayer, it would turn cold. Usually, all prisoners used to eat the food and then if they liked they would pray. But I remember that Mr. Raja'i usually said: “Set aside my food, I will eat later”. It was popular in the prison that Raja'i wouldn’t eat unless he prayed before. So they used to put aside his food.
Muhammad Ali Rahmani
Qur’an’s Surah!
Mr. Raja'i used to recite many of Surahs of Qur’an’s such as ‘Jum’ah’, ‘Vaghi’ah’, ‘Yasin’ by heart. He quoted: “During two years of being arrested and jailed in ‘joint committee single cells’, in addition to reciting these Surahs I tried to understand correctly their meaning too. During these two years, ‘SAVAK’ didn’t allow me to have a Qur’an.” He recommended to other prisoners: “Try to recite Surahs other than Surah Towhid in your prayer and if you have not memorized them, you can write them with bold lines and put them in front of you while praying. By this method you can both pray and gradually memorize the holy Qur’an.” He did so himself. Also, he wrote some supplications and recited them when he was in Qunut (Part of prayer in which supplication is made), in order to memorize those supplications.
Mujtaba Muhebbi
I pray with open eyes!
One of the high lights of Mr. Raja'i’s determination towards Imam Khomeini (R.A.) was that whenever he discussed a matter, he observed Imam’s behavior.
For example once we discussed that for more concentration on prayer it is better to close our eyes. But he said: “I, as a follower of Imam have never seen that he closes his eyes.” A few people were so detailed in following Imam like him.
Rasul Muntajabnia
Sorry! Let me pray first!
In very early days of the imposed war, after we reported the situation of the 71 war fronts, specially the middle fronts to the late Imam Khomeini (R.A), and noted that Iraqi forces were violently approaching our cities and asked for help. A group of high officials such as, the then President ‘Banisadr’, Ayatullah Khamenei who was the representative of late Imam at supreme council of defense at that time and Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani, the spokesman of Islamic Consultative Assembly, landed in Dezful air force base.
Due to some engagements, the Prime Minister (Mr. Raja'i) arrived an hour later than the others. All of group members had performed their noon prayers and were waiting for Mr. Raja'i to arrive and have lunch together. Even Banisadr with all that naughtiness had to obey the group. When Mr. Raja'i’s airplane landed and he joined the group, they were asked to come for lunch. Mr. Raja'i excused and said: “I am very sorry, let me pray first, and then will be at your service.” Then without waiting for the answer, immediately he went to the praying hall with accompanied deputies and ministers.
In praying hall, he saw a soldier who was preparing himself for the prayer. Mr. Raja'i asked him: “My brother, why you staying here? The soldier, who looked excited, answered: “Where should I stay?” Mr. Raja'i told him kindly: “stay in front.” And made him to stay in front as the Imam. Then Mr. Raja'i and his accompanied ministers and deputies followed him in praying.
Husain Khush-Newisan
Permission for prayer!
When Mr. Raja’i was studying in Azar night high school, Mr. Ali Abadi was his math teacher. He narrated: “At that time night classes started after regular day classes and continued until late at night. Mr. Raja'i was of the age of 17-18 years and attended those classes. As soon as it was time for Maghrib (sun set) ritual prayer, he asked me to permit him to go and offer his Maghrib prayer. He usually offered his prayer in school yard and then joined the class”.
Sayyed Mahmud Haqqi
Azan call!
One of our colleagues in the Ministry of Education cited: “I was coming back from a mission and it was noon time. I decided to have lunch at home and then go the office, therefore I asked the driver to take me home first. When I entered the alley where my house was located, surprisingly, I saw that a group of people was praying right in the middle of alley. I was astonished, because suddenly I saw Mr. Raja'i’s genial and kind face that was leading the group in their noon prayer. I approached and we greeted. Then I asked: “Mr. Raja'i, what is the case?” He answered: “Nothing, I was passing this alley and I heard Azan for noon prayer, so I stopped and began to pray and these people gradually came and joined me for prayer”.
Munirah Sadat Mirzaei
Anticipation in salutation!
One of Mr. Raja'i’s good habits that I remember during many years of neighbourhood was that he saluted everyone without regards to his or her age or social position. It didn’t make any difference whether the saluted person was younger or older than him or if he or she deserved to be saluted or not. He didn’t consider about these sorts of issues at all. We witnessed him several times greeting children as young as his own children while being quite modest and humble.
Ahmad Sane’ei
Tiredness!
Mr. Raja'i was an industrious and hard-working person. As he said about himself: “I have made tired the tiredness”. He worked from early in the morning until late at night. Even when he was sick, he did not rest. I witnessed several times that doctor used to come to his office to check him up and give him injection. He never felt tired of working. Sometimes, when I go to Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery and visit his grave, his picture reminds me of all his efforts and I burst into tears.
Muhammad Raja'i
Self-honour and dignity!
After Mr. Raja'i lost his father, due to the poor economic condition he had to work in a shop during summer vacations. Although he was an orphan, he couldn’t tolerate the improper behaviour of the shopkeeper, because since his childhood he was adorned with self-honor and dignity. He didn’t tolerate his behavior and left his shop and by this action made the man to understand that “It is true that I am an orphan and in order to survive I need to to work, but I don’t let you to humiliate my personality”.
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