Letter [to Sayyid Muhammad Sadiq Rouhani]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
I have the honor to inform you that I was most grateful to read your worthy letter containing the news about your health and your kindness to me. I am not free now, although the government arranged the scene to pretend they had set me free and to propagandize about it. I am under their control; I have no will of my own at all. I am not allowed to meet anyone or to be met by anyone without permission. I am to be transferred to the outskirts of the city «2» and this can be an exile of no certain end. So, as you see, I have good excuse for shirking all duties (regarding correspondence), but at the same time I have been most grateful to receive Your Eminence's kindness and that of the other honorable gentlemen, the distinguished `ulama' and all the Muslims. I have not received their telegrams. Four telegrams only were received which I have answered. I did not receive yours. Anyway, please inform the Muslims of these restrictions. I hope for Your Eminence's prayers. May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Khomeini