Tehran- IRAF- throughout the years when Imam Khomeini resided in Iran or lived in exile, there were individuals in various cities and countries who were known as his close companions and trusted supporters. Many of these figures—those with a special connection to the Imam—were never publicly introduced and have remained largely unknown.
In October 1965, after being exiled from Turkey, Imam Khomeini (God bless his soul) moved to Najaf al-Ashraf together with his son, Hajj Agha Mustafa Khomeini, and resided there for 12 years.
Although Najaf had long been one of the most influential centers of Shi’a scholarship, during the Imam’s time the situation for clerics and religious scholars had become difficult due to growing repression by Iraq’s Ba’athist regime. Life in Najaf was harsh for most clerics, including Imam Khomeini, as the government increasingly tightened pressure on the Shi’a clergy.
During this period, Imam Khomeini taught at Sheikh Ansari Seminary, and many young students—especially those from Afghanistan—gathered around him to benefit from his knowledge and guidance.
Among those constantly present around the Imam was his house servant, an Afghan man named Hajj Nazer, who served faithfully for years and was considered one of the Imam’s closest personal aides. He later migrated to Iran and eventually passed away in Mashhad, longing to one day visit Jamaran, where the Imam later lived.
Imam Khomeini’s house in Najaf was located on Shari‘al-Rasool Street, and he regularly led the Maghrib and Isha prayers at the Mosque of the Turks.
He usually walked the short distance—from his home to the mosque—on foot. Along this route, many admirers would seize the opportunity to greet the Imam and share their personal matters with him.
Martyr Hosseini and the Late Forqani: Imam’s Closest Companions
Many young Afghan seminarians would gather around the Imam before and after prayer and were known in Najaf as his companions.
This close connection was largely due to the Imam’s revolutionary thinking and his spiritual charisma. However, those associated with the Imam were frequently persecuted by the Ba’ath Party, which recognized the power of his revolutionary ideas and sought to prevent their spread.
Despite these risks, Afghan students remained among the Imam’s closest followers, enduring hardship and persecution to promote his revolutionary message.
Among them, Martyr Seyyed Hossein Hosseini (Dare‑Sufi) and the late Forqani were the two individuals most often seen beside the Imam in photographs of that era.
In many of these historic images, Forqani stands on the right of the Imam wearing a white turban, and Hosseini stands to his left wearing a black turban — a clear sign of their closeness and constant presence with him.
Hojjat al‑Islam Movahed Balkhi describes their relationship as follows:
“Whenever the Imam left his house, Martyr Hosseini and the late Forqani would walk on either side of him and accompany him to the mosque. After prayers, the Imam often visited the shrine of Imam Ali (AS), and these two were always beside him during the visitation.”
He added that these two Afghan seminarians were among the Imam’s confidants, attending his meetings and gatherings.
During those years—when speaking about revolution was considered taboo and possessing the Imam’s books or leaflets was a crime—these Afghan students risked imprisonment, arrest, and pursuit to disseminate his message.
Martyr Hosseini later continued his service in Afghanistan, becoming one of the early pioneers of unity among Afghan Shi’a communities, and ultimately attained martyrdom.
The Ten‑Day Dawn (Daheye Fajr), commemorating the Islamic Revolution, is a fitting occasion to remember the devotion and sacrifice of those who stood by Imam Khomeini in times of exile and hardship, fulfilling their historic duty with steadfast faith and courage.
