Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) was our 10th Imam. He was
born in Madinah in 214 A.H. and was martyred in 254 A.H. and was buried in his
home in Samarrah, 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 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 Muatawakkil had made Imam’s life
difficult, 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 already missed two meals. When the person finished eating, he gave the
Imam some Khums money. The Imam spent it on poor and destitute and slept
hungry.
Ziarat-e-Jamia :
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-Jaamia”
Intellectual
qualities:
Like other Imams of AhlulBayt (a.s.), Imam Ali al-Naqi was
also divinely gifted. On the day when poison was administered to Mutawakkil. He made
a vow that if he survived he would give lot of money in charity. When he
recovered there was a difference of opinion among scholars regarding what
constituted “lot of money?” At last, the Mutawakkil sent his slave to 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 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 shias.
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 came to know the situation, he
called 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 one if who hears it had a
heart of stone, it would melt like wax.”
Affection of Imam
Ali al-Naqi
In spite of leading an impoverished life in Samarrah, he was
not neglectful of the poor creatures of Allah. He himself visited the widows
and orphans and carried food on his 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 it was provided 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 definite places in which Allah wants His servants
to supplicate to Him. One of these places is the tomb of Imam Hussayn, Master
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 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.
Reference:
Akhlaq-e-A’imma, Morals and Mannersof the Holy Imams
By Maulana
Zafar Hasan Amrohvi
Fourteen Masoomeen
By Peer
Muhammad Trust, London
Imam Reza Network
Lantern of the Path
No comments:
Post a Comment