SUPPLICATIONS STARTING WITH "RABBANA"

In the Glorious Qur’an, there are many supplications starting with the word “Rabbana”. Some of them are normally recited in “Qunoot” which are detailed below:

Rabbana Taqabbal Minna Innaka Antas Samiul Alim (Al-Baqarah :127)

Our Lord! Accept from us this (service); Verily You alone are the All-hearing, the All-knowing.

Rabbana Waj’alna Muslimine Laka wa Min Dhurriyatina Ummatam Muslimital Laka Wa Arina Manasikina wa Tub Alayna Innaka Antat TawwaburRahim (Al-Baqarah :128)

Our Lord! Make us (Muslims) submissive to Your Will and raise from off-spring a (Muslim) community submissive to You and teach us our rites of worship and relent towards us. Verily You alone are the most relenting, the Ever Merciful.

Rabbana A’tina Fiddunya Hasanataw wa Fil A’khirati Hasanataw Wa Qina Azabannar (Al-Baqarah: 201)

Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of the Fire.

Rabbana Afrigh Alayna Sabraw wa Thabbit Aqdamana Wan Surna Alal Qawmil Kafirin (Al-Baqarah:250)

Our Lord! Bestow upon us endurance and make us firm of foot and grant us victory over the disbelieving folks.

Rabbana La Tua khizna In Nasina Aw Akhtana (Al-Baqarah:286)

Our Lord! Call us not to account if we forget or err

Rabbana wa La Tahmil Alayna Isran Kama Hamaltahu Alal Lazina Min Qablina (Al-Baqarah:286)

Our Lord! Lay not on us such a (heavy) burden as You did lay on those who passed away before us.

Rabbana wa La Tuhmmilna Ma Taqatalana Beh Wa Fu Anna Waghfirlana, Warhamna. Anta Mawlana Fansurna Alal Qawmil Kafirin. (Al-Baqarah:286)

Our Lord! Lay not on us that burden which we have not the strength to bear. And pardon us; absolve us; and have mercy on us; You alone are our Friend and Helper; help us to triumph over the unbelieving folk.  

Rabbana La Tuzigh Qulubana Ba’da Idh hadaytana wa Hablana Mil Ladunka Rahmah; Innaka Antal Wahhab (Al- Imran:8)

Our Rabb! Do not stray our hearts after granting us Guidance and gift us from Your Mercy. You are Bestower      

Rabbana Innaka Jamiun Nasi Li Yumil La Raiba Fih; Innal Laha La Yuqlifil Mi’ad (Al-Imran:5)

Our Lord! Surely You are the Gatherer of all mankind on a Day about which there is no doubt. Verily Allah never fails in His Promise

Rabbana Faghfirlana Zunubana wa Kaffir Anna Sayyiatina wa Tawaffana Ma’al Abrar (Al-Imran:193)

Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and wipe off our misdeeds from us and cause us (in all grace) to die with the righteous.

Rabbana Zalamna Anfusana: wa Illam Taghfir Lana wa Tarhamna Lanakunanna Minal Khasirin (Al-A’raaf:23)

Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls; and if You do not forgive us and have no mercy on us, we shall be losers.  

Rabbana Afrigh Alayna Sabran wa Tawaffana Muslimin (Al-A’raaf:126)

Our Lord! Pour out on us patience and cause us to die as Muslims (Bowing to Your Will)

Rabbana wa Taqabbal Du’a’ (Ibrahim:40)

Our Lord! Accept my humble prayer

Rabbanghfirli wa Li Walidayya wa Lil Muminina Yawma Yaqumul Hisab (Ibrahim:41)

Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and all the Muslims on the Day when Reckoning will take place.

Rabbana Hab Lana Min Azwajina wa Zurryyatina Qurrata A’yunin Waj Alna Lil Muttaqina Imama (Al-Furqan:74)

Our Lord! Grant us in our wives and offspring coolness of eyes and make us leaders of those who guarded against evil

THE BENEFACTOR OF ISLAM - SAYYIDA KHADIJA-TUL KUBRA (S.A.)

Sayyida Khadija (s.a.) was the first wife of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He did not marry anyone while she was alive. There is well known saying, “Islam did not rise except by Ali (a.s.)’s sword and Khadija (s.a.)’s wealth.”

She was born in Makkah in 565 A.D. and died in 623 A.D. which was 11 years after Hijra. Her father was Hazrat Khuwaylid bin Asad belonging to Banu Asad tribe, a clan of Banu Hashim. He was a successful merchant and Sayyida Khadija inherited his vast wealth. Her trade caravan surpassed the caravans of all other traders of Quraysh put together.

In the Arabian society of Ja’hiliah, she earned the titles of “Ameert-ul-Quraysh” or “Princess of Quraysh” and “al-Tahira” or “the Pure One” due to her impeccable personality and virtuous character, not to mention her honorable descent. She used to be kind to the poor, assist her relatives financially. She did not worship idols and followed the Ibrahimic faith of Islam. As she did not travel herself with the caravans of trade, she used to employee an agent. At one time, she was looking for a new agent and Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) suggested his nephew, the young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) to do the job. She sent her servant, Maysarah, with him. The trip produced more profit than expected. Maysarah also saw some unusual events with the young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.). She sent him on another trade trip to Yemen. Her cousin Waraqa bin Nawfal told her that the manners of young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) were like a messenger of God. She had also heard about his trust and truthfulness. Consequently, she proposed to marry him. The Nikah was performed by Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and Nawfal gave away her hand to the young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.). The marriage was a very happy one and produced two boys who died in infancy. Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was the only daughter who survived. Her period of happiness lasted for 15 years. When the revelation started, she was the first woman to confirm his prophecy. As Islam started to spread across the Arabian Peninsula, she handed over her entire wealth to her beloved husband and he used it for the welfare of Muslims. When the Quraysh boycotted the family of Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S.), the richest woman of Quraysh gladly shared the hardships with her husband in the Shib-e-AbuTalib for 3 years. She used to give one gold coin to Imam Ali (a.s.), who was 16 years old at that time, to bring water secretly.  

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) used to say that Sayyida Khadijatul Kubra (s.a.) was one of the four best women of the world; the other three being Hazrat Maryam, mother of Prophet Eisa’, and Hazrat A’siya, wife of the Pharaoh and her daughter Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.)

On the death bed, she sought forgiveness from her husband if she in any way had failed to serve the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Then asked for Shifaa’t on the Day of Judgment from her husband. She told her wish to her beloved daughter, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) to ask her father to shroud her dead body in the clothes he (s.a.w.a.s.) was wearing when the first Wahi was revealed.  

Sayyida Khadijatul Kubra (s.a.) and the “Protector of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)” Hazrat Abu Talib (A.S.) died in the same year. It was a great shock for him (s.a.w.a.s.), hence he called that year as “Aam ul Huzn” which means “Year of Grief”. Both these personalities were very dear and important to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the All-Mighty Allah had referred to their functions in his life in Surah az-Zuha Ayah 6 and 8, “Did He (Allah) not find you an orphan and gave you shelter? Did He (Allah) not find you poor and enrich you?”

After her death, when one of his other wives heard him remembering and praising Sayyida Khadijatul Kubra (s.a.), the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) became very angry and said, “She believed in me when all others disbelieved; she held me truthful when all others called me a liar; she sheltered me when others abandoned me; she comforted me when others shunned me; and Allah granted me children by her while depriving me of children by other women.”

Surah al-Ahza’b Ayah 6, “The Prophet has more authority over the believers than themselves. His wives are their mothers.” The Muslims in Makkah were very poor. The infidel Quraysh had ordered their community members not to pay any wages to the Muslims. Sayyida Khadija (s.a.) fed them day after day so that no Muslim slept hungry. As a mother wants to see her children are well-fed, hence she took loving care of the Muslim Ummah. There is a well-known tradition the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) that Paradise is under the feet of their mothers.

               Sources: Khadijatul Kubra by Sayyid Ali Asghar Razwy, Duas.org, Ziaraat.com, imamreza.net

THE PROPHET YOUNUS (JONAS), THE COMPANION OF THE FISH

The story of Prophet Younus (Jonas) is narrated in three Surahs of the Glorious Qur’an viz Al-Anbiya, As-Saffa’at, Al-Qalam.  In Ayah 87 of Surah al-Anbiya, he is referred as “Zan-Nun”. The Arabic word “Nun” means a huge fish or crocodile. Zan-Nun means ‘The possessor of crocodile’ He was the descendant of Prophet Hud born before 825B.C. in Neynawa, Iraq. He invited people towards Monotheism and struggled against corruption for 40 years, but no one accepted his invitation except a few. When he was disappointed with them, he decided to curse them, and Allah accepted his plea and informed him of the time of punishment to fall on the people. Before the arrival of chastisement, he went away from his people and boarded a ship. Surah As-Saffa’t Ayah 140 uses the word “Abaqa” meaning ‘a ran away slave’ shows how Allah treats a high stationed Prophet, by virtue of his “leaving the better” (Tark-e-Ula), treats him like a ran away slave!  His “Tark Ula was twofold; he made haste in invoking Allah’s Chastisement on his people and left his people instead of staying with them to the end. While on the ship, a huge fish came near it with open mouth as if asking for food. The captain of the ship said that it seemed there was a sinner on board (or that there was excessive weight in the ship hence one person was to be off-loaded), and they cast lots 3 times and each time it came for Younus; hence they threw him into the waiting mouth of the fish. Allah ordered the huge Fish not to hurt him. Ayah 143 and 144 of Surah As-Saffa’t which says, “So had he not been of those that Glorify Allah, He would have tarried in its belly until the Day of Resurrection.”

As for the period for which he was in the belly of that huge fish, there are reports stating that time varying from 9 hours to many weeks. There is no definite proof for that. In Tafsir Noor al-Thaqalayn by Ali ibn Ibrahim that the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said that Prophet Younus was in the belly of the fish for 9 hours.

Allah protected four Prophets in relation with water in different forms: Younus was protected under the water, Noah on the water, Musa and Yousuf near the water. He supplicated to Allah as, “La Ilaha Illah Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntu Minazzalimeen.” “There is no god but you (O my Lord!) Glory be to You! Verily I was of the unjust ones!”. Allah accepted his Du’a’ and ordered the huge fish to throw him out near a sea-side. He became sick being inside the belly and Allah by His infinite Mercy, caused to grow the plant of gourds over Younus which has large leaves full of water and prevents insects approach it. As a practical advice facing any calamity or hardship, one should realize that except for Allah there is no support or savior. Do not have any misgivings about Allah and accept your mistake or sin. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had advised us to invoke any Beautiful Names of Allah (Asma-ul-Husna) relevant to the situation for acceptance of Du’a’.

When Prophet Younus left his people, they were shocked severely for the approaching Divine Wrath and went to a learned man and under his leadership decided to repent. They went to a desert keeping men, women and children separate, cried loudly for the sins which resulted in the termination of Allah’s Wrath.

Later, Prophet Younus returned to his people to see the extent of punishment but was surprised to see what repentance had done to them that from idol-worshipers they had turned into worshipers of Allah.

Lessons drawn from this story:

Sins or even “Leaving the better” Tark Ula from a Prophet is not acceptable.

Realization of sins and supplication seeking Allah’s forgiveness.

A community destined to face the Allah’s Wrath may revert to virtues as early as possible and repent to Allah.

Faith and abstention from sins may increase Blessings and Gifts of Allah.

Allah is the Most Powerful and nothing is impossible for Him.

Sources: The Holy Qur’an by S.V. Mir Ahmed Ali and Ayatollah Agha H.M.M. Pooya Yazdi

                  The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu Translation) by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

THE DIVINE GIFT AND JUSTICE

This is the story of a gift by the Almighty to an obedient son and the solution of a murder mystery during the time of Prophet Musa. A young man from the Israelite was murdered and the murderer was untraceable, hence people approached the Prophet Musa for help, who with the guidance of the Almighty Allah solved the mystery. Justice was the identifying the murderer by touching one part of a special cow. Below given is the outcome of this episode:

The Israelite cow is narrated in the Glorious Qur’an in the Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 67 to 74, “And remember when Musa said to his people, “Surely, Allah commands you that you should sacrifice a cow.” They said, “Do you mock us?” He said: I take refuge with Allah from being one of the ignorant!” They said, “Ask your Lord for us to make it clear to us what she is.” Musa said, “He says: Surely She is a cow neither old nor young., but of middle age; so, do what you are commanded.” They said, “Ask your Lord for us to make it clear to us what color she should be.” Musa said, “He says she should be yellow cow, bright in color, giving delight to the beholders.” They said, “Ask your Lord for us to make it clear to us what kind of cow must it be, for surely to us the cows are all alike, and if Allah wills, we shall be surely be guided aright.” Musa said, “Verily, He says: Verily, she is a cow not yet trained to till the soil or water the fields; sound and without blemish.” They said, “Now you have brought the truth. Then they offered her in sacrifice.” “And remember when you killed a man and disputed thereon: but Allah was to bring forth what you were hiding.” “So, We said: Strike him (the corpse) with a part of it (the sacrificed cow). Thus, Allah gives life to the dead and shows you of His Signs, so that you might understand.”

The Israelite searched for the cow with those peculiar qualities, it was available only with a pious young man who sold it for a leather bag full of gold. One of the companions of Prophet Musa narrated the back-ground of the cow and said that there was a young Israelite who was very obedient and respectful to his father. One day he came to get some money from his father for a business transaction. The father was sleeping, and the keys were kept below his pillow. He did not want to disturb his father and let go the business. When the father woke up and heard the whole episode, he was very happy and sought blessings of Allah for him and gave away the cow to him.

When a part of the sacrificed cow was touched with the corpse, it revived, and it was a young man who identified his cousin as the murderer.

The Divine Gift was the water bag full of gold to the pious young man who was respectful towards his father and cared so much for his comfort. The justice was the identification of the real murderer in an abnormal manner.

These are Almighty’s mysterious ways to reward the pious!

Sources: Tafsir al-Mizan of Ayatollah Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai translated in Urdu by Ayatollah Hassan Raza              

Ghadeeri

Tafsir-e-Namoona Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi translated in Urdu by Sayyid Safdar Husayn Najafi (r.a.)

THE TWELFTH INFALLIBLE IMAM MAHDI (A.T.F.)

Every religion in the world is waiting for the for the appearance of a “Savior”. The Muslims are also waiting for the Savior; the Shia Muslims and a majority of Sunni Muslims believe that he was born. He was named after the name of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). He is also called by other names like Saheb az-Zaman, Mahdi, Qa’im etc.  His father was the Eleventh Infallible Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.).

At the death-bed the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had said, “I am leaving behind two weighty things; the Glorious Qur’an and my Pure Progeny. If you are attached to both, you will not go astray” As there is a constant struggle between Truth and Falsehood from the commencement of life on this planet, the same phenomena continued after the sad demise of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). The Umayyads and Abbasids continued to imprison, isolate, murder and poison the Pure Progeny of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). After the martyrdom of the Infallible Imam Hasan al-Askari by the Abbasside king, Allah (s.w.t.) saved the 5-year Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) and placed him in occultation (invisible to the people). He will reappear when Allah wishes and fill the world with justice as it would be filled with oppressions and injustice.

There are many questions relating to his abnormal disappearance, which may be addressed as follows:

1.      How a 5-year-old boy can become the Imam of the mankind? Muslims gladly accept the Prophet hood of Prophet Isa when he was an infant!

2.      How can Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) live so long? Prophet Noah had lived and preached for 950 years. Prophet Isa is still alive and must be about 2000 years old! Al-Khizr is still alive, he was before the time of Prophet Musa, hence he must also be 3,000 years old. Hanafi scholar Sibt ibn al-Jawzi in his book “Tazkirat al-Khawas al-Ummah” page 325-328 gives the names of 22 people believed by Muslims to have lived from 300 to 3,000 years. Allah (s.w.t.) is most Powerful and when He (s.w.t.) intends to do anything, He says “Kun Fa Yakoon” and it is done. No one can dare to challenge His Will.

3.      Why Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) disappeared? When Allah (s.w.t.) ordered Prophet Adam and Shaytan (l.a.) to descend on earth and promised (out of His love for the mankind), He will send Guidance to humanity. “When My Guidance comes to you, those who follow it will not go astray.” (Ta-Ha 123). Consequently, He sent 124,000 prophets and after the demise of His last Messenger the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), and to continue with the Divine promise of Guidance, He started the Golden Chain of Imamate. The Infallible Imam Ali (a.s.) was the first Imam and Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) was designated as the last. But the hostile forces of evil continued either to slay or poison the eleven Divinely appointed Imams, hence to continue the Guidance of humanity, Allah (s.w.t.) placed Imam Mahdi in Occultation. Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) is guiding the humanity apparently obscured from the eyes but functioning as sun is supplying light and energy from behind the cloud!

After the “Great Occultation “till the re-appearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.), the Muslims were directed by Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.) to follow such learned scholars who possessed complete and through knowledge of Halal and Haram. Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.) said, “…turn to the narrators of our traditions, because they are proof to you, while I am the proof of Allah to them.”

Hence, the Shi’i Muslims unanimously elect the most pious and knowledgeable scholar as the Grand Marjah who leads a very simple life and responsible for the spiritual, social guidance of Muslims as a whole, protects Islam if attacked. He looks after the poor and needy.

It is the duty of his (Imam)s followers to practice what they believe – watch for Halal and Haram, practice the “Furu’-e-Deen” Branches of Islam, comply with the rights of the people specially the relatives, read and understand the Glorious Qur’an as frequently as practical, try to be a good representative of our Imams in our social dealings.

Sources: Life of Imam Mahdi by Allama Baqir Shareef al-Qurashi, The Sun behind the clouds by Allama Baqir Majlisi (r.a.) A shi’ite Encyclopedia – Special Specifications of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.)   

NIGHT PRAYER (NAMAZ-E-SHAB OR NAMAZ-E-TAHAJJUD)

The Night Prayers has been referred in the Glorious Qur’an in many places , some of them are; Surah al-Asra’ Ayah 79, “Say your special (Tahajjud) prayer during some part of the night as an additional (obligatory) prayer for you alone so that perhaps your Lord will raise you to a highly praiseworthy position.” Surah al-Muzammil Ayahs 1-4, “You who have wrapped yourself up with a mantle, worship Allah for a few hours at night. (Worship Him) for more or less than half of a night and recite the Qur’an in a distinct tone.” Surah al-Dha’riyat Ayah 17-18, “They slept very little during the night and asked for forgiveness in the early morning.” Surah al-Sajdah Ayah 16, “Their sides give up rest in beds in order to pray before their Lord in fear and hope. They spend for the cause of Allah out of what We have given them.”

The Infallible Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) quotes the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) as saying that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said that a person who performs the Salatal Layl gets the following 24 benefits:

“Secures Allah’s Pleasure, makes friends with the angels, is the Sunnah of the prophets, increases knowledge, physical fitness, drives Shaytan away, protection from enemies, causes acceptance of du’as and virtues, increase in sustenance, lightens his grave, companionship in the grave, facilitates questioning in the grave, provides shelter and clothes on the Day of Resurrection, protects from Hell Fire, gets Allah’s pardon, increases the weight of good deeds on the Scale, facilitates the crossing on the Bridge of Sira’at, and forms the Key to the Paradise.”

The Night Prayer may be performed from mid-night to the time of Adhan Fajr. The night prayer consists of 3 parts; Nawafil 8 raka’at, Shaf’a 2 raka’at, Witr

Nawafil may be performed like morning prayers 4 times. It is recommended to recite Surah Hamd in first raka’at followed by Surah Tawhid. In second raka’at recite Surah Ka’firun after Surah Hamd.

Shafa’ also like morning prayer but recite Surah Hamd and Surah Na’as in the first raka’at. In the second raka’at, recite Suarh Hamd and Surah Falaq.

Namaz-e-Witr consists of reciting Surah Hamd 1 time, Surah Tawhid 3 times, Surah Falaq 1 time and Surah Na’as 1 time. Recite following in Qunoot:

Bismillah HirRahman nirRahim * Laa Ilaha Illallahul Halimul Karim * Laa Ilaha Illallahul Aliyyul Azim * Subhaanallahi Rabbis Samaawaatis Sab * wa Rabbil Arzinas Sab * wa Maa Fihinna wa maa baynahunna * wa Rabbil Arshil Azim * Wal Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil Aalamin.

Pray for the forgiveness of 40 or more Mu’mineen/Mu’minaat by taking individual names after “Allahummagh Firli” Recite Astaghfirulah Rabbi wa Atuubu Ilayh 70 times

Recite Haadhaa Maqaamul A’idhi Bika Minannaar 7 times

Recite “Al-Afwa” 300 times

Recite Rabbigfirli warhamni wa tubalaiyyi, Innaka Anta Tawwaburrahim

Complete the Namaz s usual by Rukuu, Sajdah, Tashahud, and Salaam

As Ta’khibaat, recite Tasbih-e-Fatima Zahra (s.a.), recite Ayatal Kursi, perform “Sajdah of Shukr” (5 times Subbuhun Quddusun Rabbil Malaekatil wa Ruhi)

                Sources: Ramadhan with the Holy Qur’an by Muhsin Qarati

                                Taqwa Advice of Ahlul Bayt by Sayyed Hussain Tooyserkani

                                Salat Layl by H.T. Kassamali

                                Duas.org

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S FOOD, DRESS AND GENEROSITY

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.