All the Infallible
Imams of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) demonstrated the superior quality of humility
although they were the “selected ones” of Allah (s.w.t.). Worldly kings
will show their superiority in display of enormous types of food on their food
spread. The Progeny of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) were always with the
down-trodden section of the Ummah barely affording 2 times of basic food.
Although, the Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had said, “Awwaluna Muhammad, Ausatuna Muhammad, A’keruna
Muhammad, Kulluna Muhammad.” It means all the Twelve Infallible Imams represent
the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). But there is a special place of the first
Imam Ali (a.s.) when he (a.s.) was always with the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.), showed his bravery in the battles with the faithless, was married
to the Chief of the women of the world, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.), his sons;
Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (a.s.) are the Princes of the Paradise and all of
them personified the contents of ayah of Purity (Al-Ah’zab:33) and Ayat of
Mubahelah. (Ale Imran:61)
Imam Ali (a.s.) normal food was barley with salt and water.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hambal reported by Sweda bin Ghafla in his “Masnad” that while
he was in the presence of the Imam some pieces of bread were brought as his
food which was hard to break. Also, in his
Masnad, he quotes Tabayi bin Abi Rafey that once he witnessed that a sealed bag
was brought which contained dry pieces of bread which he ate by softening with
water. The Imam (a.s.) gave the reason for sealing because the Imam’s children
would replace the dried bread with softer bread or apply oil on the bread!
Similarly, Kamaloddeen bin Muhammad Talha Sha’fei in his
book “Matalebos -So’al” quotes Abdullah bin Zorara that once he went in the
presence of Imam Ali (a.s.) on a Festival day, the usual poor man’s food was served.
When Zorara pointed out, the Imam replied, “Abdullah
bin Zorara, you have heard of mighty kings who have lead life of luxury. Let me
be a ruler leading the life of a poor and humble person.”
Once, a beggar came and
asked for food, the Imam offered the dry bread which he eats himself, he complained
of hardness, the Imam directed him to the house of Imam Hasan (a.s.) where
delicious food was being served. When the man reached there, he started saving
some food. On inquiry from the Imam Hasan (a.s.), he said that he was saving
for an old man who was eating dry bread. The Imam replied that he was his
father and that was his house!
Imam Ali (a.s.) did not take any funds from the public
treasury during his apparent khilafah and continued to wear the cotton garment
he brought from Madinah. Imam Ahmad quotes Abu Naziya, the ready-made cloth
merchant in Kufa that Imam Ali (a.s.) purchased
two shirts from his shop, one was of a superior quality, which he gave to his
slave Qambar and the other which was of rough quality and cheap, he reserved it
for himself.
Imam Ali (a.s.) was
hardworking man with pleasing personality. He worked hard to cultivate farming
and orchards and then gave them away for the sake of Allah. Once, he dug a well
and endowed in charity. He further elaborated in writing that its income should
be used to help poor and destitute, travelers, to arrange expenses of marriages
of orphans, medical expenses of the poor, any work to help for public benefit.
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