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The Affability of the Imams (A.S.)
Source: Ain-al-Hayat, By: Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) says that the Prophet used his own cloak as his bedding and the skin of sheep filled with the bark of datepalm as the pillow while sleeping. One night the cloak was folded double to make the bed more comfortable. At this the Prophet (S) said, ‘Because of sleeping on a softer bed I couldn’t rise early in the morning and was delayed for the prayer. In future don’t fold the cloak while making my bed!’
It is not a hidden fact that Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) faced untold hardships at the hands of the Prophet’s companions and of his own companions. But, despite the capability and authority he bore all this ungrudgingly. A case in point is the Battle of the Camel (Jang al-Jaml). In this battle his favorite companions were martyred. But after victory in the battle Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) pardoned the litigants. He had the complete authority to punish the combatants. He sent Um-ul-Mu’mineen Ayesha with due respect to Medina. He sent a retinue of seventy women to accompany her. He released Marvan bin Hakm despite all his impertinence. Abdallah bin Zubair was taken prisoner and released. He was a sworn enemy of Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) and had behaved very badly with the Imam.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) gave similar treatment to the Khawarij of Nehrwan. When the accursed Ibn al-Muljim mortally wounded Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as), he didn’t order immediate execution of the culprit. He instructed Imam Hasan (as) not to inflict more than one blow of the sword to the accused. He also asked him not to sever the ears and the nose of Ibn al-Muljim, as was the custom of dealing with such criminals those days. He told that he should be provided with the same food that the Imam partook of. During the time of Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) there were thousands of Khawarij who openly used to accuse him of infidelity and criticized him in several ways. But the Imam (as) forgave them and never took them to task.
It is narrated that one day Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) noticed a woman carrying a canister full of water on her shoulder. He took the canister from her and told her that he would help her carry it to her home. On the way the Imam (as) inquired about her affairs. The woman said, “My husband was deputed by Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) to the field of battle where he was martyred. Now I am left with my orphaned children. I am left with no means of maintaining them. I do small tasks with the neighbors and try to eke a living from what little I earn.”
The Imam (as) left the canister at the woman’s house and returned home. The whole night he was worrying about her and the orphans. At dawn he took a sack full of flour, dates, meat and other eatables and headed for the woman’s house. The companions said, “Ya Imam! WE shall carry the burden!” The Imam (as) said, “You can certainly carry the burden here. But who will carry my burden on the Day of Reckoning?” Carrying the sack, the Imam (as) knocked at the door of the woman. The woman opened the door and asked, “Who are you, please?”
The Imam (as) said, “I am the person who helped you carry your water canister yesterday! Now I have fetched some provisions for your children!” The woman said, “May Allah give you Reward for your kindness and may Allah also Judge between me and ‘Ali (as)” The Imam said, “To earn a little more reward, I wish to dough some flour and make bread for your children. Either you take care of the children in that time or I shall tend the children and you bake the bread!” The woman said, “I can make better bread. If you take care of my children, I shall do that comfortably!”
Therefore the woman got busy with her work and the Imam (as) cooked some meat and also looked after the kids by giving them some dates to eat. When the meat was done, he fed small morsels to the children and said, “O kids! Forgive ‘Ali for being the cause of depriving you of the love of your father!” When the dough was done, the woman asked, “Kind sir! Please light the oven that the dough is ready.” Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) started warming the oven when a woman from the neighborhood visited. This woman knew Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) She told to the lady of the house, “What has happened to you?! You are asking the Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) do these small tasks for you!” Hearing this, the woman ran and fell at the feet of Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) and said, “Ya Amir’ul-Mu’mineen! With what face can I go infront of Allah! Please forgive me!” The Imam said, “To the contrary, I am ashamed! With what face I can approach Allah for the hardship I have caused to you and your children!”
It is narrated that one day Muhammad bin Hanafia (r.a.) and Imam Hasan (as) had some difference of opinion. Muhammad bin Hanafia(r.a.) wrote a letter to Imam Hasan (as), “Brother! Your and my father, is Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as). But your mother is Lady Fatima Zahra (as), the daughter of the Prophet (S). If the entire world turns to gold and comes in the possession of my mother, even then she cannot claim equality with Lady Fatima Zahra (as). As soon as you read this letter, please come to me and make up the difference we have between us! I am asking you this because you are much higher than me in the status; greetings!” When Imam Hasan (as) received the letter, he immediately went to Muhammad bin Hanafia(r.a.) and reconciled the difference with him. They never again had any differences between them.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) said: Three things elevate a person: performing ablution in cold weather, waiting in the mosque for the next congregation after joining one congregation, participating in every congregational prayer.
The Prophet of Allah (S) has said, “I shall ask ‘Ali (as) to torch every person’s house who missed a congregational prayer without any reason whatsoever!”
The Prophet (S) said, “O Abu Dharr! Adopt piety that no good deed is as useful as being pious.” Abu Dharr asked, “O Prophet (S)! What is piety?” The prophet (S) replied, “A person does good deeds, feeds the hungry, take care of the neighbor. But on the other hand commits sins. Piety is doing all the good deeds and not commiting sins!”
The Prophet of Islam (S) said, “The most virtuous person is one who forgives the tyranny of the tyrant, he does good to a person who has harmed him, he is generous to one who caused him loss!” Then the Prophet (S) added, “Muttaqi (pious) is one who bears ill-treatment with calm and controls his anger in obedience to Allah! He is steadfast in Jehad!”
The Prophet of Allah (S) never illtreated his worst enemies. He always forgave them. One person came from the Prophet (S)’s rear and forcefully pulled his shawl. This sudden jolt caused a sprain in the neck of the Prophet (S).He (S) turned back and asked, “What is the matter?” The man said, “Give me some help!” The Prophet (S) immediately fulfilled his want.
After the conquest of Mecca the infidels were certain that the Prophet (S) would wreak revenge against them. To the contrary the Prophet (S) pardoned all of them and even gave help to many of them.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) was asked, “Who is the most powerful?” The Imam replied, “On who is the most affable and gentle!” Then he (as) was asked, “Who is the most affable?” The Imam replied, “One who can control his anger the best!”
There was no limit of affability and gentleness of the Last of the Prophets (S). He could pardon the cruel woman who chewed the liver of his martyred and adorable uncle, Hamza(r.a.). The Prophet (S) also gave the house of his mortal enemy the status of the place of amnesty in the city of Mecca. From the day of his proclamation of Prophethood till his death, the Prophet (S) faced untold hardships with great equanimity. The Intensity of these hardships was such that he had himself observed that no Prophets of the yore had faced such opposition in their times. But he (S) faced the hardships without any complaints.
Similar was the attitude of his Vicegerent, Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as). The hardships that he faced after the departure of the Prophet (S) were not bearable for any lesser mortal. He proved to the world that ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (as) was not only the most chivalrous but had the greatest quality of patience and equanimity in adversity. It was his ken that he bore patiently the hardships heaped on the beloved daughter of the Prophet (S). In the Battle of Jaml Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) achieved victory over his mortal enemies and magnanimously pardoned them. It was his greatness that he sent the vanquished lady to Medina in the care of seventy armed female guards. When his assassin was arrested, Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) ordered cool beverage to be served to him to set his wracked nerves at rest.
An authentic source quotes that one day Muawiya was holding court. Zarar bin Hamza was present there. Muawiya asked him to recount the qualities of Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as). Zarar said, “By Allah! ‘Ali (as) was extremely thoughtful and firm in the way of Allah! Whatever he said, used to be the truth! Whatever he ordered, always served the path of justice! From all his sides the sea of Allah’s Knowledge used to flow! His thoughts used to be full of learning. His eyes used to be wet in the love of Allah and supplication to the Creator! He always wore coarse cloth and didn’t relish delicious food. Amongst us, he used to be one of us! When we approached him, he would gently ask us to sit near him. But because of his indescribable aura, we were not able to speak to him!
When he smiled, his teeth shone like the pearls. He respected the persons with learning and showed love to the poor and needy. By Allah! I have seen him supplicate to Allah with such bathos as one bitten by a snake or a scorpion cries! I have heard that mostly he used to say during his supplications the following words,’ o world! Don’t attract me! Go and mislead someone else! You cannot decoy me! I have divorced you thrice! O world! Your life is very short! You can’t be faithful to anyone! It is futile to crave for you!’” Zarar had reached in his narrative up to this point when tears started flowing from Muawiya’s eyes and all those present in the court too started crying.
Abu Dharr Ghiffari narrates that Ja’far bin Abi Talib(r.a.) bought a slave-girl from Abyssinia for four hundred Dirhams and presented to Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as). But Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as), to please Lady Fatima Zahra (as), freed the slave-girl and gave away four hundred Dirhams in charity. At this juncture a Revelation came to the Prophet (S), “Of Prophet (S)! Tell ‘Ali (as) that for the act of releasing the slave-girl we have gifted to him the Heaven and for giving four hundred Dirhams in charity we have given him the charge of the Hell. Whosoever ‘Ali (as) wants to send to the Heaven, he has the right to do! Similarly, whoever he decides to consign to the Hell, he can do it!” Abu Dharr continued, “From that day Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) used to say that he was the Qaseem al-Naar wa Jannat, the Distributor of the Hell and the Heaven.
Similarly, the patience and forbearance that Lady Fatim (as) manifested after the departure of her father is exemplary. Books of history are full with the description of her forbearance. The breaking of the door of her house and the martyrdom of Mohsin through miscarriage was no less a calamity!
Imam Husayn (as) has set an example for the annals of human history by offering the supreme sacrifice in the cause of Allah.He saw his friends, relatives, brothers, nephews, sons getting martyred one after the other in the course of one day! On his own body there were innumerable wounds inflicted by spears, arrows and swords by the inhuman enemy! Under the dagger of the assassin the Imam (as) offered a prayer of thianks to his Creator, Allah!
The Affability of Imam Husayn (as)
It is narrated from Imam ‘Ali bin al Husayn (as) that, “When I proceeded along with my revered father from Medina towards Kerbala, I noticed that he used to talk a lot about Prophet Yahya (as) wherever he halted or departed. One day he said,’ The world in the eyes of Allah is such a futile thing that the severed head of the prophet Yahya (as) was given to a fornicating woman of Bani Israel as a gift!’ The affability of the Imam (as) was of such intensity that although his entire entourage was martyred in his presence and, despite the fact that all the angels, jinns and wild beasts were at his beck and call, he never for once thought of wreaking revenge on his enemies! Nor did he pray to Allah cursing the enemy!
According to a narration, three hundred and sixty deep wounds were found on his martyred body. Another narration says that there were one hundred and eighty wounds inflicted with spears, and four thousand wounds from the arrows that were literally rained on his body! Even then the Imam didn’t raise his hands to pray for the punishment of his cruel tormenters! He continued to make efforts to lead them to the path of righteousness till his last breath! With Allah’s strength and the valor inherited from Haidar al-Karar, the Imam (as) dispatched many an infidel to Hell with his swordsmanship on that fateful day! In some narratives it is said that he killed one thousand nine hundred and fifty wretches! The number wounded by him is in addition to this number!”
It is narrated that whenever Imam Husayn (as) sat in a dark place in the night, his forehead and neck used to radiate so much that people used to notice his presence there.
The Affability of Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as) and others
It is narrated that one day a crystal bowl slipped out of the hands of a slave girl of Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as) and shattered into pieces. The girl was shaking with fear. The Imam said, “Why are you so much afraid? Go, I have freed you in the name of Allah!”
One day a person used undesirable language against Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as). When he ignored the matter, the person reminded the Imam that he was the subject of the outburst. The Imam said, “I have forgiven you and overlook your mistake!”
It is narrated that Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin had freed one of his slaves and gave a small farm in his charge. One day the Imam (as) went to inspect the farm and found to his dismay that the man, owing to his neglect, had spoilt the crop. The Imam was upset and hit the person once with a whip as a measure of reprimand. The Imam was very unhappy over what he had done in anger. He went home and called the person. When the man reached there, he found the Imam (as) without his shirt and the whip in his hand. The man was scared that more punishment was on its way.
The Imam picked up the whip and gave to the man saying, “Today I have committed an excess against you! The way I whipped you, the same way you should whip me back!” The slave said, “O Master! I was thinking that you have called me to give me more punishment for my carelessness! Whatever punishment you mete out to me is justified!” The Imam again insisted that the slave should whip him back. The slave said, “May Allah protect me! I have forgiven you my Qasas!” When the Imam saw that the person was not budging an iota from his resolve, he told him, “All right! As a compensation I give you the ownership of the farm on which you are working!”
It is narrated that one day a few persons were invited for a meal at the place of Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as). The slave, who was detailed to serve the fare, was carrying a hot victual to the table. The tray in which the slave was carrying the hot dish slipped off his hands and fell on the Imam’s little baby who was crawling in the room. The burn was so severe that the child instantly expired. The slave was mortified with fear. The Imam said, “Don’t be afraid! You have not done anything intentionally! Go, I have freed you!” Then the Imam partook the meal with his guests. After the guests left, the Imam (as) attended to the last rites of the dead child.
It is narrated from Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) that Allah sent a Revelation to the Prophet (S) that when He didn’t give to a Mu’min anything that he wished for, there is always his best interest in the denial. The person must remain contented with what he has received. He should be equanimous in hardships. Thank Allah for His bounties.that he gets counted amongst the truthful!
In another tradition the Imam (as) narrates that whenever something happened, the Prophet (S) never said that it would be better if the incident happened in a different way! The Prophet would say, “A person who talked in this manner is never a Mu’min because this way he would be questioning the Will of Allah. A person who resigns himself to the will of Allah, I witness that his prayers will definitely be answewred!”
It is narrated that someone asked Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as), “Ya Imam! What is the way of recognizing a true Mu’min?” The Imam (as) said, “From the way he submits to Allah’s will; whether in difficulty or in ease!”
It is narrated from the Prophet of Islam (S) that Allah says, “O sons of Adam! Obey me and don’t remind Me of things that are of advantage to you! I know them better than you do!”
It is narrated from Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as), “Affluence and respectability are in circulation! Wherever they find affability, they settle down and make a place for themselves!”
The Imam (as) said at another place that Allah sent a Revelation to the Prophet Dawood (as), “O Dawood! When a person trusts me, is righteous, and turns his face from the populace, despite all the hurdles from the earth and the sky, I shall create the way of freedom for him. When a creature trusts my other creatures, I know the condition of his heart. I shall extinguish his means in the sky and obliterate his passages on the earth. Then I shall not care in which wilderness he gets killed!”
The Imam said in another tradition: When a person pays attention to tasks that please Allah, Allah will get attracted towards him and provide to him the things he likes to have. Whoever seeks help from Allah to abstain from sins, Allah will help him. One who receives the attention of Allah, never worries whatever calamities confront him! Because of his piety and abstention he is in a group of people that is in the care of Allah. Therefore, Allah says,
﴿  Åöäøó ÇáúãõÊøóÞöíäó Ýöí ãóÞóÇãò Ãóãöíäò  ﴾
Doubtless, the pious are in the place of peace! (44:51)
It is narrated from Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as), “Instead of craving for the thing you wish to have, think of Prophet Musa (as) who saw the light and went in search of fire from his spouse and became the Kaleem and achieved Prophethood! The queen of Sheba, Bilqis, went on an outing and adopted Islam. The magicians in Pharoh’s court came there to give him respect and themselves came to get the respectability of True Faith!”
It is narrated from Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) that Prophet Musa bin Imran (as) addressed Allah, “O Lord! You send me out and leave behind my infant sons!” Allah replied, “O Musa! Are you not satisfied that I am their guardian and provider of sustenance!”
It is authentically narrated from Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) that Luqman (as) advised his son, “O son! A person who doesn’t trust Allah in search of sustenance, he must pity himself. He should think that Allah has created him and gave him sustenance in three situations where there is no provider other than Allah. Therefore, in the fourth stage, none other than Him will provide the livelihood!”
The Prophet of Islam (S) said, “O Abu Dharr! If you wish to become the strongest person, then adopt patience, forbearance and affability!”
Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) said, “A Mu’min is one who is contented both in plenty and in penury!”
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) has said that man should thank Allah in all circumstances because His Bounties ar unaccountable.
Luqman (as) advised his son, “O son! There are four stages of the human life. Three stages are such that a person has none to help him. Allah Himself provides the person the sustenance during these stages. He saves the person from the heat and the cold in the mother’s womb. In the second stage when the person emerges from the mother’s womb, then Allah arranges the streams of milk for him. Then Allah creates the love of the child in the hearts of the parents that they strive hard to maintain him. When the same person grows into a full-fledged man, why should he have any doubts Allah’s kindness! He should now believe that Allah helped him when he was totally dependent and even at present He is more kind and loving than his own parents!”
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