Imam Khomeini’s personal features and characteristics
Imam (r.a.) had a very strong and powerful personality, marked by his power to resist hardships and difficulties. He was outspoken in declaring his position. He was honest. He used to speak with sincerity. All those who listened to Imam (r.a.) felt honesty in his statements. These were Imam's (r.a.) personal attractions. Faith and reliance on Allah the Exalted were visible in his behavior and in his statements on an equal basis. Both his behavior and his statements were signs of faith and reliance on God Almighty. These were Imam's (r.a.) attractions.
Some of his attractions were related to the principles that he presented. For example, one of the things that he presented to the people was Islam: original and Muhammadi Islam. Original Islam is the kind of Islam which is neither fettered by a reactionary outlook nor by syncretism. During a time when these two things existed together – reactionary outlook and syncretism – Imam (r.a.) advocated original Islam. This was attractive to Muslim youth. One of the principles that existed in Imam's (r.a.) slogans was independence. Other principles included freedom and social and economic justice. These were the principles that Imam (r.a.) brought up. These are all attractive.