Examples of Imam Ali’s (A.S) Moral Virtues
part 1
Imam Ali (A.S) Intervenes
Imam Ali (A.S) was once passing by date sellers when he saw a slave-girl crying. He asked the reason, and she said, “My master sent me with one dirham to buy dates. I bought the dates from this man and took them home. But my master did not like them. I have returned them but this man refuses to take them back.” Addressing the date seller, Imam Ali said, “O servant of Allah! This is a slave-girl having no authority of herself. Give back her one dirham and take back the dates.” The date seller rose up and gave him a fist.” People said, “What have you done? This is Amir al-Mu’minin.” The man turned pale and started gasping out of fear. He took back the dates and returned the one dirham to her. he then said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin! Be pleased with me.” The Imam said, “The fact that you have amended your conduct has satisfied me. I am pleased only to see that you have given people their due right.”
A Beautiful Pardon
Amir al-Mu’minin had sent an agent to arrest Labid ibn `Utarad al-Tamimi for having uttered certain words. The agents passed by the alley of Banu-Asad where Nu`aym ibn Dajajah al-Asadi captured Labid. Imam Ali (A.S) sent agents to arrest Labid. When he was arrested, the Imam ordered a physical punishment. Nu`aym said, “By Allah, to be with you is humiliation and separation from you is atheism!” The Imam said, “I pardoned you. Allah says: ‘Repel evil by what is best (23:96)’. As for your saying, ‘to be with you is humiliation’ it is something bad you have acquired; and as for ‘separation from you is atheism’ it is something good you have acquired. So tit for tat.”
Another Example Of Pardon
Amir al-Mu’minin (A.S) entered Mecca for some affairs. He saw a Bedouin clutching the curtain of Kaba saying, “O Lord of the House! The House is Yours and the guest is Yours. Every host prepares certain means to receive his guest. Tonight, bless me by receiving me.” Addressing his friends, Imam Ali said, “Are you not listening to this Bedouin?” They said, “Yes, we are.” The Imam said, “Allah is too Great to return His guest empty-handed!”
On the second night, Imam Ali found the same man clutching the same pillar of Kaba saying, “O Almighty! There is no one mightier than You! By Your Honor! Honor me in a way no one knows how! I resort to you by the honor of Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad! Grant me something no one but You can grant and avert from me what none but You can avert!”
Amir al-Mu’minin said to his friends, “By Allah! These words are the chief name of Allah in Syriac. My beloved, Allah’s Messenger, has informed me that tonight this Arab has asked for Paradise from Allah and his prayer was granted and asked for the aversion of Hellfire, which was granted too!”
On the third night, Imam Ali (A.S) again saw him in the same place saying, “O Allah Who is not contained in a space and no space is devoid of Him! Give this Arab four thousand Dirhams as sustenance!” Imam Ali went forth saying, “O Arab! You asked Allah to host you, and He did; you wished Paradise; and it was granted to you; you asked for aversion of fire; and your prayer was granted; tonight, you are asking for four thousand Dirhams?” The Arab said, “Who are you?” The Imam said, “I am Ali ibn Abu-Talib.” The Arab said, “By Allah! You are the one I desire and you can meet my need!” The Imam said, “O Bedouin! Ask for it.” The man said, “A Thousand Dirhams for dowry; a thousand for paying my debt; a thousand for purchasing a house; and a thousand for running the affairs of my life!” The Imam said, “You have been fair in asking for your needs. Whenever you left Mecca for Medina, ask for my house.” The Arab stayed in Mecca for a week and then came to Medina looking for Amir al-Mu’minin, shouting, “Who will lead me to the house of the Leader of the believers?” Hussein ibn Ali who was then a child said, “I will lead you to his house. I am his son.” The Arab asked, “Who is your father?” Hussein said, “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn Abi-Talib is my father.” He asked, “Who is your mother?” Hussein said, “Fatimah al-Zahra’, the doyenne of the women of the world is my mother.” He asked, “Who is your grandfather?” Hussein said, “Allah’s Messenger, Muhammad ibn `Abdullah ibn `Abd al-Muttalib is my grandfather.” He asked, “Who is your grandmother?” Hussein said: Khadijah daughter of Khuwaylid is my grandmother.” He asked, “Who is your brother?” Hussein said, “Abu-Muhammad, Hassan ibn Ali, is my brother.” the Bedouin said, “You have got the whole world! Go to Amir al-Mu’minin and tell him that the Bedouin whose needs you had guaranteed to meet in Mecca is beside your house.” Hussein entered the house saying, “O father! The Bedouin whose needs you have guaranteed to meet is at the door.” Addressing Fatimah, Imam Ali said, “Is there any food at home for this Bedouin?” Fatimah said, “No.” Hearing this, Imam Ali put on his clothes and went outside home saying, “Call Abu-`Abdullah, Salman the Persian.” When Salman came, the Imam said, “O Abu-`Abdullah! Put to sale the orchard whose trees the Holy Prophet planted!” Salman too sold the orchard for twelve thousand Dirhams. Imam Ali took the money and called for the Bedouin. Four thousand Dirhams were given to him to meet his needs and forty Dirhams for his expenses.
The news spread among the needy in Medina. They too came to Imam Ali. A man from the Ansar went to Fatimah’s house and informed her of the event. Fatimah said, “May Allah reward you for this news.” Ali was sitting there giving away handfuls of Dirhams to the needy so much so that there was nothing left for him.”
Source:
AHL AL-BAYT,THE CELESTIAL BEINGS ON THE EARTH
Author: Allama Hussein Ansariyan
Translator: Dr. Ali Akbar Aghili Ashtiani
P. 168-189
Other Links:
Some Traditions on the Virtues of Imam Ali (A.S)-Part 1
Some Traditions on the Virtues of Imam Ali (A.S)-Part 2
