The role of the Third Brotherhood in the anti-imperialist aspect of the revolution, particularly in the final months of 1979, suggests a strong commitment to resisting foreign domination. This dedication makes it difficult to accept the claim that the Brotherhood opposed internal domination and avoided cooperation with the revolution. The primary source for many accounts alleging hostility between the Brotherhood and Khamenei is Faraj Sarkouhi.
Sarkouhi presents two key narratives that depict this alleged hostility. The first is the quote about the need to always be on domination, not with domination, which has been questioned for its authenticity. The second account states that after Khamenei rejected an offer from the Brotherhood, a few individuals blocked the Brotherhood’s path on the street and severely beat him. Furthermore, the Brotherhood’s pensions were reportedly cut, and Khamenei allegedly referred to the Brotherhood as “nothing” during a Friday prayer sermon. The Brotherhood’s response was the composition of one of the most beautiful Persian poems, “Hichsim and Chishi Kam.”
However, doubts have been raised regarding this narrative. Firstly, no documentary evidence has surfaced proving that Khamenei ever referred to the Brotherhood as “nothing” in a sermon. Secondly, if such a sermon had been delivered, it would logically date back to 1979 or soon after. Yet, “Hichsim and Chishi Kam” was composed in the spring of 1980, just months before the Brotherhood’s death. Even if one were to argue that the sermon occurred in late 1968 or early 1969, closer to the poem’s composition, there remains no proof that such a sermon took place.