Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) was
our 10th Imam. He was born in Madinah on 5th Rajab in 212
A.H. and was martyred on 3rd Rajab 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 man was severely beating
his slave. 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?”
When Muatawakkil, the Abbasside
caliph 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 the Infallible 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. When Mutawakkil was poisoned
by his opponents, he vowed that if he survived he would give “a lot of money” in charity. When he
recovered from the poison, there was a difference of opinion among scholars
regarding what constituted “lot of money?” At last, the Mutawakkil invited Imam
Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) and requested for his opinion about it. He said: “Eighty Dirham be given in charity” When Mutawakkil requested for an explanation, the Imam (a.s.)
said: “The Almighty Allah said: “Allah
certainly helped on a lot of occasions” Since the military expeditions of the Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) were eighty in number, it may be concluded that “a lot”
denotes eighty.” The reply of the Imam pleased Mutawakkil.
A Polytheist 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 Infallible 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 al-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, had collected a lot of
wealth and weapons in his house, and was secretly raising an army of his supporters.
Mutawakill ordered that all the belongings 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 al-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 of the situation, he called the jailer and inquired about
the truth. The jailer said: “O Chief!
This person seems to be higher than angels in spiritual accomplishments. I have
never seen him eat or drink during the day nor sleep at night. His favorite
activity is the prayer and 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 voice that even if one who hears it and has 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 the Imam would provide 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 these places is the tomb of Imam Husayn (a.s.),
the 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 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 beyond how and where. He is the One and the Only.
Exalted be His Majesty and Sacred being His names.
The neglecter of “Bismillah” is the same as the
neglecter of (the obligatory) prayers.
Reference:
Akhlaq-e-A’imma, Morals and Manners
of the Holy Imams by Maulana Zafar Hasan Amrohvi
Fourteen Masoomeen by Peer
Muhammad Trust, London
Imam Reza Network
Lantern of the Path
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