In holy city of Najaf, Imam Khomeini had a practice of coming to the outer reception area of his home for half an hour each evening, where various matters would be discussed.
One night, a poor man came to Imam Khomeini’s home to ask for help with a personal need.
Some of the gentlemen responsible for managing the reception area did not treat him well.
Imam, who had been carefully observing the situation from a distance, got up to go to the shrine. When he reached the entrance to the reception area, he strongly objected to the person in charge and said:
“What kind of way is this to treat someone?”
The man replied, “Agha, he came yesterday too, and he came the day before as well.”
Imam said:
“Let him come. He is in need; he is needy. His need has compelled him to come here. We must fulfill his need and satisfy him with kind words. We must not hurt the people.”
Source: Impressions from the Conduct of Imam Khomeini , Vol. 1, p. 218
Narrator: Ja'far Karimi