Imam Ali al-Naqi
(a.s.) was 10th gem of the “Golden Chain” of Imamate. He was
born in Madinah in 214 A.H. and was martyred in 254 A.H. and was buried in his
home in Samarra, Iraq.
Like his forefathers, he was also very kind to the slaves.
One day he was going somewhere, he saw that a master was beating his slave
severely. The Imam said to him: “O man, is this weak man your creature? “Not my
creature, but my slave.” replied the man. The Imam said: “You have not created
him, you have only purchased him for few Dirham and do you have the right to beat
him so much?” The man said: “Yes, that is why I am beating him. He is my
disobedient slave.” The Imam said: “If according to you, a disobedient slave is
eligible for such punishment, for how much punishment a disobedient creature
would be eligible? Do you not disobey
the commands of Allah?
Are you not the same
person who lied and became drunk? If Allah punishes you for that disobedience,
what would be your condition?”
During the time when Mutawakkil had made Imam’s life miserable,
the Imam used to go without food but he never complained to any one about it.
One day, he managed to get some food after being hungry for two mealtimes. He
was about to commence eating when a guest arrived. He placed his food before
the guest in a cheerful manner and did not at all let him realize that he had missed
two meals. When the person finished eating, he gave the Imam some Khums money.
The Imam did not use the money for food but distributed it to the poor and
destitute and slept hungry!
Ziarat-e-Jaamea:
One of the learned companions of the Imam was Musa bin
Abdullah an-Naqa’i. Once he went to the Imam and requested for a composite
Dua’a which he could recite whenever he visits for Ziarat of any Imams of Ahlul
Bayt (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) dictated to him a Ziarat which became famous as “Ziarat-e-Jaamea”
Intellectual
qualities:
Like other Imams of AhlulBayt (a.s.), Imam Ali al-Naqi was
also divinely gifted. When someone poisoned Mutawakkil, he made a vow that if
he survived he would give “lot of money” in charity. When Mutawakkil
recovered, there was a difference of opinion among scholars regarding what
constituted “lot of money?” At last,
the Mutawakkil sought help from Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) about it. He said:
“Eighty Dirham be given in charity” When Mutawakkil requested for an
explanation, the Imam said: “The Almighty
Allah said: “Allah certainly helped on
a lot of occasions.” Since the military expeditions of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) were eighty in numbers, it may
be concluded that “a lot” denotes eighty.”
The reply of the Imam pleased Mutawakkil.
A Christian committed fornication with a Muslim woman. He
was brought to Mutawakkil. When Mutawakkil wanted to sentence him, he became a
Muslim. Qazi Yahya said that he cannot be sentenced then because he was
converted to Islam and all his past sins were remitted. Someone suggested that
the opinion of the Master of the Faithful, Imam Ali al-Naqi be sought. The Imam
said: “He should be beaten till he dies”
The court scholars refused to accept this verdict and requested an explanation.
The Imam said: “A clear verdict is given in Surah Momin Ayah 84 “But
when they saw our punishment, they said: We believe in Allah alone and we deny
what we used to associate with Him.”
Piety of the Imam:
Someone lied to Mutawakkil that Imam Ali al-Naqi was leading
a luxurious life. And that he had collected a lot of wealth and weapons in his house,
and was secretly raising an army of his followers.
Mutawakill ordered that all the contents of Imam’s house may
be collected. When the soldiers entered
the Imam’s house, they found only a sack, a coarse shirt of wool and some clay
utensils. When this was reported to Mutawakill, he punished the man who had
given false report.
Worship of Imam
Ali Naqi:
Mutawakkil brought the Imam from Madinah and imprisoned him
without any reason and put a harsh man in-charge of the prison. But the man
became a devotee of the Imam. When Mutawakill heard about the situation, he
called for the jailer and inquired. The jailer said: “O Chief! This person
seems to be higher than angels in spiritual accomplishments. I have never seen
him eat during the day and sleep whole night. His favorite activity is
remembrance of Allah. He laments so intensely that his beard is wet with his
tears. He recites the Glorious Qur’an in such a melodious way that anyone who
hears it even if he had a heart of stone, it would melt like wax.”
Affection of Imam
Ali al-Naqi
In spite of leading an impoverished life in Samarra, he was
not neglectful of the poor creatures of Allah. He himself visited the widows
and orphans and carried food on his back for them while he himself remained
hungry. If an orphan came in his presence, he would caress his head
affectionately and if he desired something, Imam (a.s) would provide it to him.
Sayings of Imam
Ali al-Naqi:
Others will fear him
who fears Allah. He, who obeys Allah, will be obeyed. He, who obeys Allah, will
not care for the dissatisfaction of His creatures. He, who enrages the Creator,
should be sure of encountering the dissatisfaction of the creatures.
Do not expect honesty
and purity of intentions from someone who has suffered from your malice; do not
expect loyalty from one to whom you have been disloyal; do not expect goodwill
from someone whom you regard with ill-will; his heart towards you is the same
as your heart towards him.
There are certain places
in which Allah wants His servants to supplicate to Him. One of such places is
the tomb of Imam Husayn (a.s.), King of the Martyrs (a.s.).
No one can describe
Allah with attributes other than those which He describes Himself. How can any
one describe Him when the senses are too short to perceive Him, illusions are too
short to comprehend Him, ideas are too short to mark Him, and sights are too
short to appreciate Him? He is remote in His nearness and near in His
remoteness. He created the “how” without being asked “How” and founded the
where without being asked “where?”
He is out of how and
where. He is the One and Only. Exalted be His majesty and sacred be His names.
The neglector of
“Bismillah” is the same as the neglector of (the obligatory) prayers.
Sources used:
Akhlaq-e-A’imma, Morals and Manners of the Holy Imams by Maulana Zafar Hasan
Amrohvi
Fourteen Masoomeen by Peer Muhammad Trust, London
Fourteen Masoomeen by Peer Muhammad Trust, London
Imam Reza Network
Lantern of the Path
No comments:
Post a Comment