Because I was prohibited from leaving Iran, I crossed the border to Najaf illegally and faced a lot of difficulties on the way. It was noon when I went to see the Imam. I opened the door to the room and greeted him and he responded stating: “Did you also come illegally?” I answered in the affirmative and the Imam said: “Don’t come next time.” I answered in agreement saying that I would not come again. He stated: “I mean don’t come illegally. Why do you put yourself in danger and come illegally? Don’t do such a thing again. If you can come with a passport, it is alright but don’t come illegally.” This insistence was because he wanted to compel me to observe regulations.[1]
[1]Why did you enter illegally? ‘Ali Akbar Mas‘udi Khomeini