SACRIFICE BY THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL IMAM ALI (A.S.)

Although, the Ahlal Bayt (a.s.) were the creatures of light in human attire and enjoyed a supreme status with Allah (s.w.t.) but in the face of physical demands of hunger and thirst, they sacrificed themselves for the Allah's creations.

Surah al-Hashr Ayah 9 states, “Those who established a community center and embraced the faith before the arrival of the immigrants love those who have come to their town. They are not jealous of what is given to the immigrants. They give preference to them over themselves – even concerning the things that they themselves urgently need. Whoever controls his greed will have everlasting happiness.”

The commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) lived a life entirely and completely for the love of Allah and His Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.); from his unique birth in sacred House of Allah-Kaaba to the last of his apparent life in the House of Allah; the Mosque of Ku'fa. He (a.s.) was the “Nafse Rasool” as Allah addressed His Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s) in Surah al-An'am Ayah 162, “(Muhammad), say, “My prayer, sacrifice, life, and death are all for Allah, the Lord of the Universe.”

Once Imam Ali (a.s.) asked for food from the Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). She (s.a.) replied that there was nothing in the house for eating. Imam Ali (a.s.) borrowed a dinar from someone and went towards the market to buy some food. The Imam (a.s.) met Meghdad, exhausted, and looked very weak from his face. When asked by Imam Ali (a.s.) about his welfare, Meghdad expressed gratitude to Allah for His Grace for him and when pressed further Meghdad said that there was nothing at all at home for his family and children to eat, and himself hungry. Imam Ali (a.s.) said that the same situation had brought him out of his house and gave away the borrowed dinar to him to take some food for himself, his family and children. When Imam Ali (a.s.) returned home empty-handed, he found that some heavenly being having delivered some delicious food for Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) Imam Hasan (a.s.), Imam Husayn (a.s.) and for himself. This was one of the many occasions when the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) were provided by Allah with some heavenly food.

Abdullah ibne Masood says that once after the night prayers he and some others were seated in the mosque along with the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) when a man got up and the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said:

“O' man, do not call yourself as poor, for there are four things which are really poor ones in the world”

The mosque in the midst of the people who do not pray in it.

The Glorious Qur'an in the house, the inmates of which do not recite it.

The scholar in the midst of the people who do not resort to him to get benefited by his learning.

The Believer (Muslim) who is a helpless captive in the hands of the disbelievers.

Then he (s.a.w.a.s.) turned to his companions and asked “who among you would take this brother of yours and feed him.” The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) brought the man to his abode and asked the Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) if there was any food. She (s.a.) replied that the quantity at home was hardly sufficient for one soul. The food was served but if Imam Ali (a.s.) takes part into it, it would not be sufficient for the guest and if he did not take part, it would be against the etiquette. Imam Ali (a.s.) extinguished the lamp and gave it to her to delay in relighting until the guest finished eating. In the dark the guest ate the food and Imam Ali (a.s.) sat with him, moving his mouth as if he was also taking part in the eating. When the guest had finished eating, the lamp came relighted and the food was there as it was. Imam Ali (a.s.) asked the man why he did not have the food, the man said that he had his fill. After the guest had left, the “Panjetan” ate of the food and even when they were fully satisfied, the food remained the same in quantity which was given away to the poor. This is one of the many instances of the miraculous happenings with these Godly ones. When Imam Ali (a.s.) returned to the mosque, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) informed Imam Ali (a.s.) of what happened at the house saying that Gabriel informed him of the event in all the details and conveyed the above-mentioned Ayah 9 of Surah al-Hashr.

Sources: The Glorious Qur'an translation in Urdu by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

The Glorious Qur'an translation in English by S.V.Mir Ahmed Ali & Ayatollah H.M.M.Pooya