Among all the political strategies employed by Imam Khomeini in dealing with opponents, his starting point was the mission of the holy prophet of Islam: Guidance through mercy, not domination through coercion.
This is why, before any confrontation, Imam would first take the path of counsel and raising awareness.
Imam Khomeini once on a occasion said as following:
"The holy messenger of Islam was the prophet of mercy. He treated the people with mercy, and it was that very mercy that guided them."
Mercy as a u
Excerpted from: "Imam Khomeini’s approach to opponents and critics during the first decade of the revolution"