We continually witnessed the aggressive tactics of the Imam in relation to the oppression of oppressors and the tyranny of tyrants and in relation to the infidelity of the Ba'athist regime of Iraq on various occasions. A case in point was when the late Ayatullah Hakim went to Baghdad to stage a protest against the Ba'athist regime. Muslims and Shi'ites from across Iraq would come to visit him in large groups and this by itself was viewed as an anti-Ba'athist regime move that would take place. Thus the Ba'ath regime of Iraq broke into the residence of Ayatullah Hakim and placed a cordon round it, closed the door of the house and arrested all those who went to pay him a visit. As a result Ayatullah Hakim went to Kufah in protest and stopped his classes. Towards the end of his life this global Shi'ite source of emulation departed from this world in isolation and innocence. The theologians of Najaf, out of fear and horror lest they be inflicted with the wrath and fury of the Ba'ath regime, would avoid paying visits and being cordial with him. However, it was the Imam who with his characteristic courage would send the late Haj Mustafa everyday to see him at his residence. It was at this juncture that the Ba'athist regime of Iraq arrested Haj Mustafa and transferred him to Baghdad. An aura of fear and terror gripped Najaf. All would come in groups to the residence of the Imam and wanted that he officially ask the Ba'ath regime of Iraq to release Haj Mustafa because everyone feared that they would inflict some disaster on him. However, the Imam responded saying that, "A struggle incorporates these hardships and bitterness; one who steps in this path never makes a request from his enemy; and even if they kill Mustafa, I will not make a plea to them for his release." For almost a week, Haj Mustafa languished in a prison in Baghdad and no one had any news from him.[1]
[1]I will not make a plea: Hujjat al-Islam Muhtashami-Pur