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 anyone 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-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-Jamia”
Intellectual
qualities:
Like
other Imams of AhlulBayt (a.s.), Imam Ali al-Naqi was also divinely appointed.
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 the 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. Mutawakkill 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 Mutawa kill, he punished the man who had given false
report.
Worship
of Imam Ali Naqi:
Moutawakel
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 Mutawa kill heard about the situation, he called for the jailer and
inquired. The jailer said: “O Chief! This person seems to be higher than the angels
in spiritual accomplishments. I have never seen him eat during the day nor he sleeps
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
Despite
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 showed affection 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 .
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
Imam Reza
Network Lantern
of the Path
No comments:
Post a Comment