On the same pattern, Imam Khomeini also followed footsteps of the holy prophet and coordinated the struggles of the Iranian people against the Shah’s despotic regime to advance the goals of Islam.
The great leader continued the struggle until establishment of the sacred Islamic system, which guarantees the freedom of the people, civil liberties, independence and implementation of social justice.
The great scholar of the Islamic world advised all clerics and preachers to make their intentions pure and deliver such speeches at religious gatherings which can elevate the Islamic societies towards spiritual and moral development.
He also recommended for preachers and those responsible for holding mourning ceremonies and religious gatherings during this period to make their intentions pure and grab the attentions of the youth towards the real message of the Islam.
Imam Ridha’ (PBUH) carried on the responsibility of administering the Divine Law of Shari’ah as taught by the Holy Prophet and Imams of the Ahlul Bayt after him.
Imam ‘Ali al- Ridha’ (as) too, led a simple life. According to historical reports, he did not like to decorate his house with expensive carpets, instead he covered its floor with rough mats during the winter and grass mats during the summer. When food was served, he would call all his servants, including the gatekeeper to sit and eat with him.
Majlisi in Biharul Anwar V 49 Page 101, writes that our 8th Imam insisted on eating his meals only after the entire members of his family, young and old, servants and grooms were present. One day someone who was fonder of royal formalities than the fraternity of the Ahlul Bayt, suggested that it would be better to make separate eating arrangements for the servants, The Imam replied, "All are created by God, Adam is their father and Eve is their mother. Everyone will be dealt with by God according to his deeds. Why should there be any discrimination in this world."
Imam ‘Ali Al-Ridha’’s (as) life contains countless anecdotes of this sort. Once a man said to him, "By God, there is none who is superior to you in the nobleness of your ancestry.” The Imam said to him, “My ancestors are honored merely for their Godliness, piety and worship.” Another man once declared,” By God, you are the best in the world.”
The Imam checked him by saying: “Don’t you declare an oath. Any man who is more pious than me can be better than me.” Imam several times declared the Hadith of the Prophet that a black negro slave can be better than a person from my own family if his deeds are better.