His Traits

* نقش خاتمه ولباسه: The Inscription on His Ring and His Clothes

عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان في خاتم علي بن الحسين, الحمد لله العلي العظيم.[1]

Imam Abu Abdullah (Pbuh) said: The inscription on the ring of Ali ibn al-Hussain (Pbuh) was: "Praise be to Allah, the Most High, the Most Great."

Al-Kafi Vol.6, p.473

 

عن أبي الحسن × قال: كان خاتم علي بن الحسين ×, خزي وشقي قاتل الحسين بن علي صلوات الله عليهم. [2]

Abu al-Hasan (Imam al-Ridha) said: "The ring of Ali ibn al-Hussein (Imam Zain al-Abidin) had the inscription: 'Shame and wretchedness upon the killer of Hussein ibn Ali.'"

Al-Kafi Vol. 6, p.473

 

عن الرضا × قال: كان نقش خاتم الحسين ×, إن الله بالغ أمره, وكان علي بن الحسين × يتختم بخاتم أبيه الحسين ×. [3]

Imam Al-Ridha (Pbuh), he said: The inscription on the ring of Hussain (Pbuh) was: "Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose." Ali ibn al-Hussain (Pbuh) used to wear the ring of his father, Hussain (Pbuh).

Al-Amali by Al-Saduq p.458

 

عن محمد بن مسلم قال: سألت الصادق جعفر بن محمد × عن خاتم الحسين بن علي × إلى من صار؟ وذكرت له: أني سمعت أنه أخذ من إصبعه فيما أخذ, قال ×: ليس كما قالوا, إن الحسين × أوصى إلى ابنه علي بن الحسين ×, وجعل خاتمه في إصبعه, وفوض إليه أمره, كما فعله رسول الله | بأمير المؤمنين ×, وفعله أمير المؤمنين × بالحسن ×, وفعله الحسن × بالحسين ×, ثم صار ذلك الخاتم إلى أبي × بعد أبيه, ومنه صار إلي فهو عندي وإني لألبسه كل جمعة وأصلي فيه, قال محمد بن مسلم: فدخلت إليه يوم الجمعة وهو يصلي, فلما فرغ من الصلاة مد إلي يده فرأيت في إصبعه خاتما نقشه: لا إله إلا الله عدة للقاء الله, فقال ×: هذا خاتم جدي أبي عبد الله الحسين بن علي ×. [4]

From Muhammad ibn Muslim: I asked Ja'far al-Sadiq (Pbuh) about the ring of Hussain ibn Ali (Pbuh). To whom did it go? I mentioned to him that I heard it was taken from his finger among other things. He (Pbuh) replied, "It is not as they say. Hussain (Pbuh) entrusted his will to his son Ali ibn Hussain (Pbuh) and placed the ring on his finger, and he entrusted his affairs to him, just as the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) did with the Commander of the Faithful (Pbuh), and the Commander of the Faithful (Pbuh) did with Hasan (Pbuh), and Hasan (Pbuh) did with Hussain (Pbuh). Then the ring came to my father (Pbuh) after his father, and from him, it came to me. I wear it every Friday and pray with it." Muhammad ibn Muslim said: I went to him on a Friday, and he was praying. When he finished the prayer, he extended his hand to me, and I saw the ring on his finger. It was inscribed with: "There is no god but Allah, is the provision for meeting Allah." He (Pbuh) said, "This is the ring of my grandfather Abu Abdullah Hussain ibn Ali (Pbuh)."

Al-Amali by Al-Saduq p.144

 

عن أبي الحسن الرضا × قال: كان علي بن الحسين × يلبس في الشتاء الجبة الخز والمطرف الخز والقلنسوة الخز فيشتو فيه, ويبيع المطرف في الصيف ويتصدق بثمنه, ثم يقول: {من حرم زينة الله التي أخرج لعباده والطيبات من الرزق}.[5]

Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ridha (Pbuh) said: Ali ibn al-Hussain (Pbuh) used to wear a wool robe, a wool cloak, and a wool cap in winter, and he would sell the cloak in summer and give the proceeds as charity. Then he would say, {“Whoever forbids the adornment of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of provision”}.

Al-Kafi Vol.6, p.451

 

عن الحلبي قال: سألته × عن لبس الخز, فقال: لا بأس به إن علي بن الحسين × كان يلبس الكساء الخز في الشتاء, فإذا جاء الصيف باعه وتصدق‏ بثمنه, وكان يقول: إني لأستحيي من ربي أن آكل ثمن ثوب قد عبدت الله فيه. [6]

Al-Halabi said: I asked him (Pbuh) about wearing wool garments. He said, “There is no harm in it. Ali ibn al-Hussain (Pbuh) used to wear wool garments in winter, and when summer came, he would sell them and give the proceeds as charity. He used to say, ‘I feel shy before my Lord to consume the price of a garment in which I have worshipped Him.’”

Al-Tahdeeb Vol.2, p.369

 

عن سليمان بن راشد عن أبيه قال: رأيت علي بن الحسين × وعليه دراعة سوداء, وطيلسان أزرق. [7]

Sulayman ibn Rashid reported from his father, he said: I saw Ali ibn al-Hussain (Pbuh) wearing a black cloak and a blue turban.”

Al-Kafi Vol.6, p.446

 

عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان علي بن الحسين × يلبس الصوف وأغلظ ثيابه إذا قام إلى الصلاة. [8]

Imam Abu Abdullah (Pbuh) said: Ali ibn al-Hussain (Pbuh) used to wear woolen garments and the coarsest of his clothes when he stood for prayer.”

Bihar Al-Anwar Vol.46, p.108

 

 

* صفاته × العامة: His Traits

عن حمران بن أعين، عن أبي جعفر محمد بن علي الباقر × قال: كان علي ابن الحسين × يصلي في اليوم والليلة ألف ركعة، كما كان يفعل أمير المؤمنين × كانت له خمسمائة نخلة، فكان يصلي عند كل نخلة ركعتين، وكان إذا قام في صلاته غشي لونه لون آخر، وكان قيامه في صلاته قيام العبد الذليل بين يدي الملك الجليل، كانت أعضاؤه ترتعد من خشية الله عز وجل، وكان يصلي صلاة مودع يرى أنه لا يصلي بعدها أبدا، ولقد صلى ذات يوم فسقط الرداء عن أحد منكبيه فلم يسوه حتى فرغ من صلاته، فسأله بعض أصحابه عن ذلك، فقال: ويحك أتدري بين يدي من كنت؟ إن العبد لا تقبل من صلاته إلا ما أقبل عليه منها بقلبه، فقال الرجل: هلكنا، فقال: كلا إن الله عز وجل متمم ذلك بالنوافل، وكان × ليخرج في الليلة الظلماء فيحمل الجراب على ظهره، وفيه الصرر من الدنانير والدراهم وربما حمل على ظهره الطعام أو الحطب حتى يأتي بابا بابا فيقرعه، ثم يناول من يخرج إليه وكان يغطي وجهه إذا ناول فقيرا لئلا يعرفه فلما توفي × فقدوا ذلك، فعلموا أنه كان علي بن الحسين ×, ولما وضع على المغتسل نظروا إلى ظهره وعليه مثل ركب الإبل مما كان يحمل على ظهره إلى منازل الفقراء والمساكين، ولقد خرج ذات يوم وعليه مطرف خز فتعرض له سائل فتعلق بالمطرف فمضى وتركه، وكان يشتري الخز في الشتاء وإذا جاء الصيف باعه فتصدق بثمنه، ولقد نظر × يوم عرفة إلى قوم يسألون الناس فقال: ويحكم أغير الله تسألون في مثل هذا اليوم إنه ليرجى في هذا اليوم لما في بطون الحبالى أن يكون سعيدا, ولقد كان × يأبى أن يواكل أمه، فقيل له: يا ابن رسول الله أنت أبر الناس وأوصلهم للرحم, فكيف لا تواكل أمك؟ فقال: إني أكره أن تسبق يدي إلى ما سبقت عينها إليه، ولقد قال له رجل: يا ابن رسول الله إني لأحبك في الله حبا شديدا، فقال: اللهم إني أعوذ بك أن أحب فيك وأنت لي مبغض، ولقد حج على ناقة له عشرين حجة فما قرعها بسوط، فلما نفقت أمر بدفنها لئلا يأكلها السباع، ولقد سئلت عنه مولاة له فقالت: أطنب وأختصر؟ فقيل لها: بل اختصري، فقالت: ما أتيته بطعام نهارا قط، وما فرشت له فراشا بليل قط، ولقد انتهى ذات يوم إلى قوم يغتابونه فوقف عليهم، فقال لهم: إن كنتم صادقين فغفر الله لي، وإن كنتم كاذبين فغفر الله لكم،

 وكان × إذا جاءه طالب علم فقال: مرحبا بوصية رسول الله |، ثم يقول: إن طالب العلم إذا خرج من منزله لم يضع رجليه على رطب ولا يابس من الأرض إلا سبحت له إلى الأرضين السابعة، ولقد كان يعول مائة أهل بيت من فقراء المدينة، وكان يعجبه أن يحضر طعامه اليتامى والأضراء والزمني والمساكين الذين لا حيلة لهم، وكان يناولهم بيده، ومن كان منهم له عيال حمل له إلى عياله من طعامه، وكان لا يأكل طعاما حتى يبدأ فيتصدق بمثله، ولقد كان تسقط منه كل سنة سبع ثفنات من مواضع سجوده لكثرة صلاته وكان يجمعها فلما مات دفنت معه. [9]

Himran ibn A’yun reported from Imam Abo Ja’far Mohammad ibn Ali Al-Baquer (Pbut): Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him) used to perform one thousand units of prayer during the day and night, just as Amir Al-Mu’mineen (peace be upon him) used to do. He owned five hundred date-palm trees, and he would pray two units of prayer by each date-palm tree. When he stood up in his prayer, his complexion would change to a different hue. His standing in prayer resembled the humble servant standing before the Majestic King. His limbs would tremble out of fear of Allah, the Almighty. He would pray a farewell prayer as if he thought he would never pray again after it. One day, while he was praying, his cloak slipped off one of his shoulders, but he did not adjust it until he completed his prayer. Some of his companions asked him about this, and he said, 'Do you not know before Whom I stand?' The servant's prayer is not accepted except for what he faces with his heart of it. The man said, 'We are ruined.' He replied, 'No, Allah, the Almighty, completes that with the supererogatory prayers.' During the dark night, he would go out carrying a sack on his back, filled with coins of gold and silver, and sometimes he would carry food or firewood. He would go from door to door, knocking on them, then he would give to whoever came out to him. He would cover his face when he handed it to a poor person, so that they would not recognize him. When he passed away, they lost this practice, and they came to know that it was Ali son of al-Husayn (peace be upon him). When his body was being washed for burial, they looked at his back and saw marks from carrying things on his back to the houses of the poor and needy."

Imam Zain al-Abidin (Pbuh) went out one night wearing a patched cloak, and a beggar approached him. The beggar held onto the edge of the cloak and so the Imam walked on and left the cloak for him. Imam Zain al-Abidin used to buy woolen garments during the winter and sell them when summer came, giving away the proceeds in charity.

On the day of Arafah, Imam Zain al-Abidin (Pbuh) looked at a group of people who were begging said, "Woe unto you! Are you asking people for help on such a day? On this day people ask eternal happiness for what is even in the wombs of pregnant women.”

Imam Zain al-Abidin (Pbuh) refrained from eating with his mother. When asked “O son of the Messenger of Allah, you are the most righteous man and most dutiful to the kin, why don’t you eat with your mother?”, he replied, "I detest that my hand should reach something that her eyes reached for.”

A man once declared his intense love for the Imam, saying, "O son of the Messenger of Allah, I love you intensely for the sake of Allah." The Imam responded, "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from being loved by someone for Your sake while You detest me."

The Imam performed twenty Hajj pilgrimages on a camel, and the camel was not struck with a whip. When the camel died, the Imam ordered it to be buried to prevent wild animals from consuming it.

A woman who served him was asked about his daily life. She said, "I never prepared food for him and I never prepared the sleeping mattress for him.

Once, Imam Zain al-Abidin (Pbuh) encountered people who were backbiting and slandering him. He confronted them, saying, "If you are truthful, may Allah forgive me. And if you are lying, may Allah forgive you."

Whenever a seeker of knowledge would come to him, he would say, 'Welcome, O enjoinment of the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh).' Then he would say, 'Verily, when a seeker of knowledge leaves his house, he does not place his foot, whether on wet or dry ground except that it glorifies Allah for him seven times between the heavens and the earth.'"

"Indeed, he used to support a hundred needy households in Medina, and he would find joy in having orphans, the needy, the disabled, and the destitute who had no means of support attend his meals. He would serve them with his own hands. For those among them who had families, he would provide them with food to take home. He would not eat any food until he had begun by giving charity of its equivalent."

"Every year, seven pieces of dead skin would fall off his forehead from the spots where his forehead touched during prostration, due to the abundance of his prayers. He would collect these patches, and when he passed away, they were buried with him."

Al-Khisal Vol.2, p.517

 

 

* عبادته ×: His Worship

عن أبي عبد الله ×، قال: ينادي مناد يوم القيامة: أين زين العابدين؟ فكأني أنظر إلى علي بن الحسين × يخطو بين الصفوف. [10]

Imam Abo Abdellah (Pbuh) said: “A caller will call out on the Day of Resurrection: 'Where is Zain al-Abidin (The Adornments of Worshipers)?' It is as if I can see Ali so of Al-Hussain (AS) walking between the rows."

I’lal Al-Sharae’e Vol.1, p.230

 

عن علي بن موسى، عن أبيه موسى بن جعفر، عن أبيه × قال: دخلت عليه طائفة من شيعة الكوفة، فقالوا: يا بن رسول الله كلهم عبيد الله؟ فكيف سمي جدك علي بن الحسين زين العابدين؟ قال لهم الصادق ×: ويحكم اما سمعتم الله عز وجل يقول: {هم درجات عند الله}‏ ويقول: {نرفع درجات من نشاء} {ولقد فضلنا بعض النبيين على بعض}‏ فقالوا: بلى يا بن رسول الله |، قال: فما أنكرتم؟ قالوا: أحببنا أن نعلم ما سألنا عنه، قال: ويحكم إن إبليس ناجى ربه فقال: رب إني قد رأيت العابدين لك من عبادك منذ أول الدهر إلى عهد علي بن الحسين × فلم أر منهم أعبد لك ولا أخشع منه، فأذن لي يا إلهي أن أكيده وأبتليه لأعلم كيف صبره، فنهاه الله عنه فلم ينته، وتصور لعلي بن الحسين × وهو يصلي في صورة أفعى لها عشرة أرؤس، محددة الأنياب، منقلبة الأعين بالحمرة، وطلع عليه من الأرض من موضع سجوده ثم تطاول في قبلته، فلم يرعه‏ ذلك، ولم يكسر طرفه إليه، فانخفض إلى الأرض إبليس في صورة الأفعى وقبض على أنامل رجلي علي بن الحسين × فأقبل يكدمهما بأنيابه وينفخ عليهما من نار جوفه، وكل ذاك لا يكسر طرفه إليه، ولا يحول قدميه عن مقامه، ولا يختلجه شك ولا وهم في صلاته ولا قراءته. فلم يلبث إبليس لعنه الله حتى انقض عليه شهاب محرق من السماء فلما أحس به صرخ، وقام إلى جانب علي بن الحسين × في صورته الاولى، ثم قال: يا سيد العابدين كما سميت، وأنا إبليس والله لقد شهدت عبادة النبيين والمرسلين من عهد أبيك إليك فما رأيت مثلك ولا مثل عبادتك، ولوددت أنك استغفرت لي الله فإن الله كان يغفر لي، ثم تركه وولى وهو في صلاته ولا يشغله كلامه حتى قضى صلاته على تمامها. [11]

Imam Ali Al-Rida (Pbuh) said that Imam Moussa Al-Kadhem (Pbuh) said about his father Imam Jaa’far Sadiq (Pbuh): a group of Shi'as from Kufa entered upon him. They said, "O son of the Messenger of Allah, are all of them are servants of Allah? How then was your grandfather named Ali son al-Hussein Zain al-Abidin (the master of the worshippers)?"

Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) replied, "Woe unto you! Have you not heard that Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, says: {They are [varying] degrees in the sight of Allah,} and He says, {We raise in degrees whom We will.} And {indeed, We have favored some of the prophets over others.} They said, "Yes, O son of the Messenger of Allah." He said, "So why do you object?" They replied, "We wanted to know what we asked about."

He said, "Woe unto you! Verily, Iblis confided with his Lord and said, 'My Lord, verily, I have seen the worshippers among Your servants from the beginning of time until the time of Ali son of al-Hussein (peace be upon them), and I have not seen among them anyone who worships You and humbles himself to You more than him. So, permit me, O my God, to deceive him and test him, that I may know his patience.' Allah forbade him, but he did not desist. Iblis made himself in front of Ali son of al-Hussein (peace be upon them) in the form of a snake with ten heads, sharp fangs, red eyes, and it emerged from the ground at the place of his prostration, then it elongated itself towards his direction. However, that did not disturb his focus, nor did he move his sight towards it. Iblis approached him in the form of a snake, clutching the fingers of Ali son of al-Hussein's feet, and he proceeded to bite them with his fangs and exhale flames of fire from his mouth. All of this did not disrupt Ali son of al-Hussein's concentration, nor did it divert him from his position, nor did it shake his faith or disturb his recitation. Iblis cursed by Allah did not remain for long until a scorching meteor from the sky fell upon him. As he felt it, he screamed and stood beside Ali son of al-Hussein (peace be upon them) in his initial form. He said, 'O Master of the Worshippers, as you are named! By Allah, I have indeed witnessed the worship of the prophets and messengers from the time of your father to you, and I have not seen anyone like you, nor anyone with your level of worship. I wish that you would seek Allah's forgiveness for me, for Allah would forgive me.' Then he left him and departed while Ali son of al-Hussein (peace be upon him) remained in his prayer, his conversation not distracting him, until he completed his prayer in its entirety."

Hulyat Al-Abrar Vol.3, p.235

 

عن سعيد بن كلثوم قال: كنت عند الصادق جعفر بن محمد × فذكر أمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب ×, فأطراه ومدحه بما هو أهله,[12] ثم قال ×: والله ما أكل علي بن أبي طالب × من الدنيا حراما قط حتى مضى لسبيله, وما عرض له أمران قط هما لله رضا إلا أخذ بأشدهما عليه في دينه, وما نزلت برسول الله | نازلة قط إلا دعاه ثقة به, وما أطاق عمل رسول الله | من هذه الأمة غيره, وإن كان ليعمل عمل رجل كأن وجهه بين الجنة والنار يرجو ثواب هذه ويخاف عقاب هذه, ولقد أعتق من ماله ألف مملوك في طلب وجه الله, والنجاة من النار مما كد بيديه ورشح منه جبينه, وإن كان ليقوت أهله بالزيت والخل والعجوة, وما كان لباسه إلا الكرابيس إذا فضل شي‏ء عن يده من كمه دعا بالجلم فقصه, وما أشبهه من ولده ولا أهل بيته أحد أقرب شبها به في لباسه وفقهه من علي بن الحسين ×,[13] ولقد دخل أبو جعفر × ابنه عليه فإذا هو قد بلغ من العبادة ما لم يبلغه أحد, فرآه وقد اصفر لونه من السهر, ورمضت عيناه من البكاء, ودبرت جبهته وانخرم أنفه من السجود, وقد ورمت ساقاه وقدماه من القيام في الصلاة, فقال أبو جعفر ×: فلم أملك حين رأيته بتلك الحال البكاء فبكيت رحمة له, فإذا هو يفكر فالتفت إلي بعد هنيئة من دخولي فقال ×: يا بني, أعطني بعض تلك الصحف التي فيها عبادة علي بن أبي طالب ×, فأعطيته فقرأ فيها شيئا يسيرا, ثم تركها من يده تضجرا وقال ×: من يقوى على عبادة علي بن أبي طالب ×. [14]

Said ibn Kulthum said: I was with al-Sadiq Ja'far ibn Muhammad (Pbuh), and he praised and spoke highly of Amir al-Mu'minin Ali ibn Abi Talib (Pbuh). He said, "By Allah, Ali ibn Abi Talib (Pbuh) never consumed anything unlawful from this world until his death. He never faced two matters, both of which were pleasing to Allah, without choosing the more difficult one for himself in his faith. Whenever the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) faced a difficulty, he would call upon Ali ibn Abi Talib (Pbuh) with full trust, and no one from this ummah could perform the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) as he did. He would work as if his face were between Heaven and Hell, hoping for the reward of the former and fearing the punishment of the latter. He freed a thousand slaves from his wealth seeking Allah’s pleasure and salvation from Hell, all earned through his own hard work and sweat. He would sustain his family with only oil, vinegar, and dates, and his clothing was nothing but coarse garments. If any part of his sleeve became excess, he would have it trimmed with scissors. Among his descendants and family, no one resembled him more closely in clothing and knowledge than Ali ibn al-Hussain (Pbuh). Once, his son Abu Ja'far (Pbuh) entered and saw him engaged in worship to such an extent that no one else had achieved. His complexion had yellowed from sleeplessness, his eyes were inflamed from weeping, his forehead was marked from prostration, and his legs and feet were swollen from standing in prayer. Abu Ja'far (Pbuh) said, 'When I saw him in that state, I could not help but weep in sympathy for him.' Then he reflected and turned to me after a while, saying, 'O my son, give me some of those records which contain the worship of Ali ibn Abi Talib (Pbuh).' I gave them to him, and he read a little, then put them aside in exasperation, saying, 'Who can endure the worship of Ali ibn Abi Talib (Pbuh)?'"

Al-Irshad by Al-Mufid Vol.2, p.141

 

عن محمد بن علي الباقر × قال: كان لأبي × في موضع سجوده آثار ناتئة، وكان يقطعها في السنة مرتين، في كل مرة خمس ثفنات، فسمي ذا الثفنات لذلك‏. [15]

Mohammad Ibn Ali Al-Baquer (Pbuh) said: “My father (Pbuh) had bulging prostration marks. He used to cut it two times in a year, each time five calluses. Thus, he was named the person of calluses.”

I’lal Al-Sharae’e Vol.1, p.233

 

يروى أن علي بن الحسين × كان قائماً يصلي حتى وقف ابنه محمد × وهو طفل إلى بئر في داره بالمدينة بعيدة القعر فسقط فيها فنظرت إليه أمه فصرخت وأقبلت نحو البئر تضرب بنفسها حذاء البئر وتستغيث وتقول: يا ابن رسول الله غرق ولدك محمد, وهو لا ينثني عن صلاته وهو يسمع اضطراب ابنه في قعر البئر, فلما طال عليها ذلك قالت حزناً على ولدها: ما أقسى قلوبكم يا آل بيت رسول الله! فأقبل على صلاته ولم يخرج عنها إلا عن كمالها وإتمامها, ثم أقبل عليها وجلس على أرجاء البئر ومد يده إلى قعرها وكانت لا تنال إلا برشاء طويل فأخرج ابنه محمداً × على يديه يناغي ويضحك, لم يبتل له ثوب ولا جسد بالماء فقال: هاك يا ضعيفة اليقين بالله! فضحكت لسلامة ولدها, وبكت لقوله: يا ضعيفة اليقين بالله, فقال: لا تثريب عليك اليوم لو علمت أني كنت بين يدي جبار لو ملت بوجهي عنه لمال بوجهه عني, أفمن يرى راحماً بعده. [16]

It is narrated that Ali ibn al-Hussain (Pbuh) was standing in prayer when his son Muhammad (Pbuh), a child at the time, fell into a deep well in their house in Medina. His mother saw this and cried out, running towards the well, striking herself near the well and calling for help, saying: 'O son of the Messenger of Allah, your son Muhammad is drowning.' Despite hearing the commotion of his son from the bottom of the well, he did not interrupt his prayer. When she was overwhelmed by sorrow for her son, she said: 'How hard-hearted you are, O progeny of the Messenger of Allah!' He continued his prayer until he completed it perfectly, then turned to her and approached the well. He extended his hand into the well, which could only reach the bottom with a long rope, and pulled out his son Muhammad (Pbuh), who was playing and laughing. His clothes and body were not wet. He said to her: 'Here, O weak of faith in Allah!' She laughed with relief at her son’s safety and cried at his words: 'O weak of faith in Allah.' He said: 'Do not reproach yourself today; if you knew that I was in the presence of a Mighty One, if I had turned my face away from Him, He would have turned His face away from me, so how could I expect mercy from anyone else?'"

Manaqeb Aal Abi Taleb Vol.3, p.278

 

عن عبد الله بن أبي يعفور قال: قال مولانا الصادق ×: كان علي بن الحسين × إذا حضرت الصلاة اقشعر جلده واصفر لونه وارتعد كالسعفة. [17]

Abdullah ibn Abi Yafur said: Our master Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) said: Whenever the time for prayer came, Ali ibn al-Hussain (Pbuh) would tremble, his skin would shiver, and his color would turn pale, shaking like a palm leaf.

Falah Al-Sael p.101

 

عن جعفر بن محمد الصادق‏ × قال: كان أبي علي بن الحسين × إذا حضرت الصلاة يقشعر جلده، ويصفر لونه، وترتعد فرائصه، ويقف تحت السماء ودموعه على خديه وهو يقول: لو علم العبد من يناجي ما انفتل‏. ولقد برز يوما إلى الصحراء فتبعه مولى له، فوجده وقد سجد على حجارة خشنة. قال مولاه: فوقفت وأنا أسمع شهيقه وبكائه فأحصيت ألف مرة وهو يقول: لا إله إلا الله تعبدا ورقا، لا إله إلا الله إيمانا وصدقا، ثم رفع من سجوده وإن وجهه ولحيته قد غمرا بالتراب‏، ودموع عينيه منحدرة على خديه، فقال له مولاه: اما آن لحزنك أن ينقضي، ولبكائك أن يقل؟ فقال: إن يعقوب بن إسحاق ابن إبراهيم × كان نبيا ابن نبي، كان له أحد عشر ابنا فغيب الله واحدا منهم فشاب رأسه من الحزن، واحدودب‏ ظهره من الحزن، وذهب بصره‏ من البكاء، وابنه حي في دار الدنيا وأنا رأيت أبي وأخي وسبعة عشر من أهلي مقتولين صرعى، فكيف ينقضي حزني ويقل بكائي‏.[18]

Ja'far bin Muhammad al-Sadiq (Pbuh) said: "When my father, Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh), stood for prayer, his skin would shiver, his color would turn pale, and his limbs would tremble. He would stand under the sky with tears on his cheeks and say, 'If a servant knew whom he was addressing, he would never turn away.' One day he went out into the desert, and his servant followed him, finding him prostrating on rough stones. His servant said, 'I stood there, listening to his sobbing and weeping, and I counted a thousand times as he said, "There is no god but Allah in devotion and servitude, there is no god but Allah in faith and truth." When he raised his head from prostration, his face and beard were covered with dirt, and tears were flowing down his cheeks. His servant said to him, 'Isn't it time for your sorrow to end and your weeping to lessen?' He replied, 'Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham (Pbuh), was a prophet, the son of a prophet. He had eleven sons, and when Allah took one of them away, his hair turned white from grief, his back became bent from sorrow, and he lost his eyesight from weeping, even though his son was alive in this world. And I have seen my father, my brother, and seventeen members of my family killed and lying dead. So how can my sorrow end and my weeping lessen?'"

Hilyat Al-Abrar Vol.3, p.243

 

عن عبد العزيز بن أبي حازم‏ قال: سمعت أبا حازم يقول: ما رأيت هاشميا أفضل من علي بن الحسين ×، وكان  يصلي في اليوم والليلة ألف ركعة حتى خرج بجبهته وآثار سجوده مثل كركرة البعير. [19]

Abdul Aziz bin Abi Hazim said: I heard Abu Hazim say: "I have never seen a Hashimite better than Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh). He used to pray a thousand rak'ahs in a day and night until his forehead bore the marks of his prostrations, resembling the callus on a camel's knee."

I’lal Al-Sharae’e Vol.1, p.232

 

عن عبد الله بن محمد القرشي، قال: كان علي بن الحسين × إذا توضأ اصفر لونه فيقول له أهله: ما هذا الذي يغشاك؟ فيقول: اتدرون لمن أتأهب للقيام بين يديه‏. [20]

Abdellah ibn Mohammad Al-Qarashi reported: “Ali son of Al-Hussein used to turn pale when performing ablution. His family would ask him, 'What is causing this change in your complexion?' He would respond, 'Do you not know for whom I am preparing myself to stand in prayer before?'"

Al-Irshad Vol.2, p.142

 

عن أبان بن تغلب، قال: قلت لأبي عبد الله ×: إني رأيت علي بن الحسين × إذا قام في الصلاة غشي لونه لون آخر، فقال لي: والله إن علي بن الحسين × كان يعرف الذي يقوم بين يديه‏.[21]

Aban ibn Taghlob narrated, “I said to Imam Abo Abdullah Al-Sadiq (Pbuh): "Indeed, I have seen Ali ibn Al-Hussein (Pbuh) when he stood up for prayer, his complexion would change to another color." He said to me: "By Allah, Ali ibn Al-Hussein (Pbuh) knew the One before whom he stood."

I’lal Al-Sharae’e Vol.1, p.231

 

عن جهم بن حميد، عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان أبي يقول: كان علي بن الحسين × إذا قام إلى الصلاة كأنه ساق شجرة لا يتحرك منه شي‏ء إلا ما حركت الريح منه‏. [22]

Ali Jahem ibn Hameed reported that Imam Jaa’far Sadiq (Pbuh) said: “My father (Pbuh) used to say “When Ali son of Al-Hussein (Pbut) used to stand in prayer, he becomes stiff like a trunk of a tree. Nothing moves in him but what the wind moves.”

Al-Kafi Vol.3, p.300

 

عن الفضيل بن يسار، عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان علي بن الحسين × إذا قام في الصلاة تغير لونه, فإذا سجد لم يرفع رأسه حتى يرفض عرقا. [23]

Al-Fudayl bin Yasar narrated from Abu Abdullah (Pbuh): "When Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) stood for prayer, his color would change, and when he prostrated, he would not raise his head until he was drenched in sweat."

Al-Kafi Vol.3, p.300

 

عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان أبي × يقول: كان علي بن الحسين × إذا قام إلى الصلاة, كأنه ساق شجرة لا يتحرك منه شي‏ء إلا ما حركت الريح منه. [24]

Imam Abo Abdullah (Pbuh) said, “My father used to say, “When Ali son of Al-Hussein (Pbut) used to stand in prayer, he becomes stiff like a trunk of a tree. Nothing moves in him but what the wind moves.”

Al-Kafi Vol.3, p.300

 

عن جابر بن يزيد الجعفي، قال: قال أبو جعفر محمد بن علي الباقر ×: إن أبي علي بن الحسين × ما ذكر نعمة لله عليه إلا سجد، ولا قرأ آية من كتاب الله عز وجل فيها سجود إلا سجد. ولا دفع الله عز وجل عنه سوءا يخشاه، أو كيد كائد إلا سجد، ولا فرغ من صلاة مفروضة إلا سجد، ولا وفق لإصلاح بين اثنين إلا سجد، وكان أثر السجود في جميع مواضع سجوده، فسمي السجاد لذلك‏. [25]

Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ju'fi narrated: Imam Abo Ja'far Mohammad ibn Ali al-Baqir (Pbuh) said, "Indeed, my father Ali ibn al-Hussein (Pbuh) would not mention a blessing from Allah upon him except that he prostrated in gratitude. Nor would he recite a verse from the Book of Allah, Almighty and Glorious, that contained prostration except that he prostrated. Whenever Allah, Almighty and Glorious, repelled from him a feared harm or a plotted mischief, he prostrated. He did not complete a mandatory prayer without prostration afterwards. Nor did he succeed in reconciling between two parties except that he prostrated. The marks of prostration were evident in all his organs on which he prostrated, hence he was called Al-Sajjad (the Prostrator) because of that."

I’lal Al-Sharae’e Vol.1, p.232

 

عن الزهري، قال: قال علي بن الحسين ×: لو مات من بين المشرق والمغرب لما استوحشت بعد أن يكون القرآن معي، وكان إذا قرأ {مالك يوم الدين}‏ يكررها حتى كاد أن يموت. [26]

Az-Zuhri said: Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) said: "If everyone between the East and the West were to die, I would not feel lonely as long as I have the Qur'an with me." And when he recited {Master of the Day of Judgment}, he would repeat it until he was on the verge of dying.

Tafsir Al-A’yashi Vol.1, p.23

 

عن الثمالي: أن علي بن‏ الحسين × أتى مسجد الكوفة عمدا من المدينة, فصلى فيه أربع ركعات ثم عاد حتى ركب راحلته وأخذ الطريق. [27]

Ath-Thamali narrated that Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) deliberately traveled from Medina to the mosque of Kufa. He prayed four rak'ahs there, then returned, mounted his ride, and took the road back.

Tahdheeb Al-Ahkam Vol.3, p.254

 

عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان علي بن الحسين × إذا كان شهر رمضان لم يتكلم إلا بالدعاء والتسبيح والاستغفار والتكبير, فإذا أفطر قال: اللهم إن شئت أن تفعل فعلت. [28]

Imam Abu Abdullah (Pbuh) said: "When the month of Ramadan came, Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) would speak only in supplication, glorification, seeking forgiveness, and magnification of Allah. When he broke his fast, he would say, 'O Allah, if You will, You would do.'"

Al-Kafi Vol.4, p.88

 

عن المفضل بن عمر، عن أبي‏ عبد الله × قال: كان علي بن الحسين × يصل ما بين شعبان ورمضان، ويقول: صوم شهرين متتابعين توبة من الله‏. [29]

Al-Mufaddal bin Amr narrated from Abu Abdullah (Pbuh): "Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) used to fast continuously between Sha'ban and Ramadan, and he would say, 'Fasting two consecutive months is an act of repentance to Allah.'"

Al-Kafi Vol.4, p.92

 

عن علي بن محمد النوفلي، عن أبي الحسن × قال: ذكرت الصوت عنده، فقال: إن علي بن الحسين × كان يقرأ فربما مر به المار فصعق من حسن صوته، وإن الإمام × لو أظهر من ذلك شيئا لما احتمله الناس من حسنه، قلت: أو لم يكن رسول الله | يصلي بالناس ويرفع صوته بالقرآن؟ فقال: إن رسول الله | كان يحمل الناس خلفه‏ ما يطيقون‏.[30]

Abu al-Hasan (pbuh) said: "The mention of voice (while reciting Quran) was brought up to him, and he said: 'Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh) used to recite, and sometimes a passerby would be overcome and fall unconscious due to the beauty of his voice. If the Imam were to show anything of that, people would not be able to bear its beauty.' I asked, 'And did not the Messenger of Allah (pbuhp) pray with the people and didn’t his voice in reciting the Qur'an?' He (pbuh) replied: 'The Messenger of Allah (pbuhp) would give to the people behind him only what they could bear.'"

Al-Kafi Vol.2, p.615

 

عن علي بن عقبة، عن رجل، عن أبي عبد الله ×، قال: كان علي بن الحسين × أحسن الناس صوتا بالقرآن، وكان السقاءون يمرون فيقفون ببابه يسمعون قراءته‏. [31]

Ali bin Uqbah narrated from a man, from Abu Abdullah (Pbuh), who said: "Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) had the most beautiful voice in reciting the Qur'an. The water carriers would pass by and stop at his door to listen to his recitation."

Al-Kafi Vol.2, p.616

 

عن الإمام الباقر × في حديث عن أمير المؤمنين ×: وإن‏ كان ليصلي في اليوم والليلة ألف ركعة، وإن كان أقرب الناس شبها به علي بن الحسين × وما أطاق عمله أحد من الناس بعده‏.[32]

Imam al-Baqir (Pbuh) narrated in a hadith from Amir al-Mu'minin (Pbuh): "He used to pray a thousand rak'ahs in a day and night. The person most similar to him was Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh), and no one after him was able to endure performing his deeds."

Al-Amali by Al-Sadouq p.281

 

روي أنه لم يقدر أحد يحكي صلاة رسول الله إلا علي × ولا صلاة علي × إلا علي بن الحسين ×‏. [33]

It is narrated that no one could replicate the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) except Ali (Pbuh), and no one could replicate the prayer of Ali (Pbuh) except Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh).

Manaqeb Aal Abi Taleb Vol.2, p.20

 

عن عبد الرحمن بن الحجاج وحفص بن البختري وسلمة بياع السابري، عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان علي بن الحسين × إذا أخذ كتاب علي × فنظر فيه قال: من يطيق هذا من يطيق ذا؟ قال: ثم يعمل به، وكان إذا قام إلى الصلاة تغير لونه حتى يعرف ذلك في وجهه، وما أطاق أحد عمل علي‏ × من بعده إلا علي بن الحسين ×‏. [34]

From Abdul Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj, Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari, and Salamah, the seller of Sabiri, from Abu Abdullah (pbuh), who said: "When Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh) would take the book of Ali (pbuh) and look into it, he would say, 'Who can bear this? Who can bear this?' Then he would act according to it. And when he stood for prayer, his color would change until it could be seen on his face. No one was able to bear the worship actions of Ali (pbuh) after him except Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh)."

Al-Kafi V.8 P.163

 

عن عبد الله بن موسى، عن أبيه، عن جده قال: كانت امي فاطمة بنت الحسين تأمرني أن أجلس إلى خالي علي بن الحسين × فما جلست إليه قط إلا قمت بخير قد أفدته‏، إما خشية لله تحدث لله في قلبي لما أرى من خشيته لله، أو علم قد استفدته منه ×. [35]

Abdullah bin Musa narrated from his father, from his grandfather, who said: "My mother, Fatima, the daughter of Hussain (Pbuh), used to instruct me to sit with my uncle, Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh). Every time I sat with him, I would always leave having gained something beneficial, whether it was fear of Allah inspired in my heart by observing his piety or knowledge I acquired from him (Pbuh)."

Al-Irshad Vol.2, p.140

 

عن الزهري قال: دخلت مع علي بن الحسين × على عبد الملك بن مروان قال: فاستعظم عبد الملك ما رأى من أثر السجود بين عيني علي بن الحسين × فقال: يا أبا محمد, لقد بين عليك الاجتهاد, ولقد سبق لك من الله الحسنى, وأنت بضعة من رسول الله | قريب النسب وكيد السبب, وإنك لذو فضل عظيم على أهل بيتك وذوي عصرك, ولقد أوتيت من الفضل والعلم والدين والورع ما لم يؤته أحد مثلك ولا قبلك إلا من مضى من سلفك, وأقبل يثني عليه ويطريه, قال: فقال علي بن الحسين ×: كل ما ذكرته ووصفته من فضل الله سبحانه وتأييده وتوفيقه, فأين شكره على ما أنعم؟! يا أمير المؤمنين, كان رسول الله | يقف في الصلاة حتى ترم قدماه ويظمأ في الصيام حتى يعصب فوه, فقيل له: يا رسول الله, ألم يغفر لك الله ما تقدم من ذنبك وما تأخر؟ فيقول |: أفلا أكون عبدا شكورا؟! الحمد لله على ما أولى وأبلى, وله الحمد في الآخرة والأولى, و الله لو تقطعت أعضائي وسالت مقلتاي على صدري لن أقوم لله جل جلاله بشكر عشر العشير من نعمة واحدة من جميع نعمه التي لا يحصيها العادون, ولا يبلغ حد نعمة منها علي جميع حمد الحامدين, لا والله أو يراني الله لا يشغلني شي‏ء عن شكره وذكره في ليل ولا نهار ولا سر ولا علانية, ولو لا أن لأهلي علي حقا ولسائر الناس من خاصهم وعامهم علي حقوقا, لا يسعني إلا القيام بها حسب الوسع والطاقة, حتى أؤديها إليهم لرميت بطرفي إلى السماء وبقلبي إلى الله, ثم لم أرددهما حتى يقضي الله على نفسي وهو خير الحاكمين, وبكى × وبكى عبد الملك,[36] وقال ×: شتان بين عبد طلب الآخرة وسعى لها سعيها, وبين من طلب الدنيا من أين جاءته ما له في الآخرة من خلاق, ثم أقبل يسأله عن حاجاته وعما قصد له, فشفعه فيمن شفع ووصله بمال. [37]

Az-Zuhri narrated: "I entered with Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) to see Abdul Malik bin Marwan. Abdul Malik was astonished by the marks of prostration on Ali bin Hussain’s (Pbuh) forehead and said, 'O Abu Muhammad, it is evident that you have exerted yourself in worship. You have received the best of what Allah has promised, being a close relative of the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) and possessing great virtue over your family and your contemporaries. You have been granted knowledge, piety, and righteousness that no one has received before you, except for those among your forebears.' Abdul Malik praised and extolled him. Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) replied: 'All that you have mentioned and described is from Allah’s grace, support, and guidance. So where is the gratitude for what He has bestowed? O Amir al-Mu'minin, the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) used to stand in prayer until his legs would swell and he would suffer from thirst in fasting until he had to bind his mouth. When asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, has not Allah forgiven your past and future sins?' he would reply, 'Should I not be a grateful servant?' Praise be to Allah for what He has granted and tested. Allah is to be praised in both this world and the hereafter. By Allah, if my limbs were severed and my eyes wept on my chest, I would not be able to thank Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, for even a fraction of His countless blessings. I could not measure or enumerate His blessings. If it were not for the rights owed to my family and the rights of people, both special and general, I would devote myself solely to thanking and remembering Allah, both in private and public, day and night. If it were not for these duties, I would raise my gaze to the heavens and my heart to Allah, and I would not return them until Allah decrees my fate, and He is the best of judges.' He wept, and Abdul Malik wept as well. Then Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) said, 'There is a vast difference between a servant who seeks the hereafter and strives for it, and one who seeks the world without regard for his share in the hereafter.' Abdul Malik then asked about his needs and intentions, interceded for those he interceded for, and provided him with financial support."

Fateh Al-Abwab p.169

 

عن الباقر × قال: قال علي بن الحسين ×: مرضت مرضا شديدا فقال لي أبي ×: ما تشتهي؟ فقلت: أشتهي أن أكون ممن لا أقترح على الله ربي ما يدبره لي, فقال × لي: أحسنت, ضاهيت إبراهيم الخليل صلوات الله عليه, حيث قال جبرئيل ×: هل من حاجة؟ فقال: لا أقترح على ربي بل حسبي الله ونعم الوكيل. [38]

Imam al-Baqir (Pbuh) said: Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) said: "I fell seriously ill, and my father (Pbuh) asked me, 'What do you wish for?' I replied, 'I wish to be someone who does not propose to Allah, my Lord, what He should decree for me.' My father (Pbuh) said to me, 'You have done well; you resemble Ibrahim (Pbuh), when Gabriel (Pbuh) asked him, 'Do you have any needs?' Ibrahim (Pbuh) replied, 'I do not propose to my Lord, rather, Allah is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs.'"

Al-Da’awat by Al-Rawandi p.168

 

قال طاوس: دخلت الحجر في الليل فإذا علي بن الحسين × قد دخل, فقام يصلي فصلى ما شاء الله, ثم سجد قال: فقلت: رجل صالح من أهل بيت الخير, لأستمعن إلى دعائه فسمعته يقول في سجوده: عبيدك بفنائك مسكينك بفنائك, فقيرك بفنائك سائلك بفنائك, قال طاوس: فما دعوت بهن في كرب إلا فرج عني. [39]

Tawus said: "I entered the room at night and saw Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) enter and begin praying. He prayed as long as Allah willed, then prostrated. I thought, 'This is a righteous man from the good family; I will listen to his supplication.' I heard him in his prostration say: 'Your servant is at Your yard, Your poor servant is at Your yard, Your needy servant is at Your yard, Your petitioner is at Your yard.' Tawus added: 'I have never called upon these words in times of distress without finding relief.'"

Shareh Al-Akhbar Vol.3, p.256

 

عن حماد بن حبيب العطار الكوفي قال: خرجنا حجاجا فرحلنا من زبالة ليلا, فاستقبلتنا ريح سوداء مظلمة فتقطعت القافلة, فتهت في تلك الصحاري والبراري, فانتهيت إلى واد قفر فلما أن جن الليل أويت إلى شجرة عادية, فلما أن اختلط الظلام إذا أنا بشاب قد أقبل عليه أطمار بيض تفوح منه رائحة المسك, فقلت في نفسي: هذا ولي من أولياء الله, متى ما أحس بحركتي خشيت نفاره وأن أمنعه عن كثير مما يريد فعاله, فأخفيت نفسي ما استطعت, فدنا إلى الموضع فتهيأ للصلاة ثم وثب قائما, وهو يقول: يا من أحاز كل شي‏ء ملكوتا, وقهر كل شي‏ء جبروتا, أولج قلبي فرح الإقبال عليك, وألحقني بميدان المطيعين لك, قال: ثم دخل في الصلاة فلما أن رأيته قد هدأت أعضاؤه وسكنت حركاته قمت إلى الموضع الذي تهيأ للصلاة, فإذا بعين تفيض بماء أبيض فتهيأت للصلاة, ثم قمت خلفه فإذا أنا بمحراب كأنه مثل في ذلك الوقت, فرأيته كلما مر بآية فيها ذكر الوعد والوعيد يرددها بأشجان الحنين, فلما أن تقشع الظلام وثب قائما وهو يقول: يا من قصده الطالبون فأصابوه مرشدا, وأمه الخائفون فوجدوه متفضلا, ولجأ إليه العابدون فوجدوه نوالا, متى راحة من نصب لغيرك بدنه, ومتى فرح من قصد سواك بنيته, إلهي قد تقشع الظلام ولم أقض من خدمتك وطرا ولا من حاض [حياض‏] مناجاتك مدرا, صل على محمد وآله وافعل بي أولى الأمرين بك يا أرحم الراحمين, فخفت أن يفوتني شخصه وأن يخفى علي أثره, فتعلقت به فقلت له: بالذي أسقط عنك ملال التعب, ومنحك شدة شوق لذيذ الرعب, إلا ألحقتني منك جناح رحمة وكنف رقة, فإني ضال وبغيتي‏ كل ما صنعت ومناي كل ما نطقت, فقال ×: لو صدق توكلك ما كنت ضالا, ولكن اتبعني واقف أثري, فلما أن صار بجنب الشجرة أخذ بيدي فخيل إلي أن الأرض تمد من تحت قدمي, فلما انفجر عمود الصبح قال × لي: أبشر فهذه مكة, قال: فسمعت الضجة ورأيت المحجة, فقلت: بالذي ترجوه يوم الآزفة ويوم الفاقة من أنت؟ فقال × لي: أما إذ أقسمت, فأنا علي بن الحسين بن علي بن أبي طالب صلوات الله عليهم أجمعين. [40]

Narrated by Hammad ibn Habib al-Kufi al-Qattan: I was separated from the caravan at Zubala, and when night fell, I took refuge under a tall tree. When darkness had fully set in, I saw a young man approach, dressed in white garments emitting the fragrance of musk. I hid myself as best I could. He prepared for prayer, then stood up and said, "O He who has seized dominion over all things, and subdued everything by His might, fill my heart with the joy of turning towards You, and join me with the ranks of those who obey You." Then he began to pray. When I saw that he had calmed down and his movements had stilled, I went to the place where he had prepared for prayer, and found a spring of water. I prepared for prayer and stood behind him. It seemed like there was a niche in the wall at that moment. I noticed that whenever he came upon a verse containing promise or warning, he would repeat it with sobbing and moaning.

When the darkness began to lift, he stood up and said, "O He whom the lost have sought and found as a guide, to whom the fearful have turned and found refuge, to whom the worshippers have turned and found a haven, when will those who tire themselves for others than You find rest, and when will those who turn their intentions elsewhere find joy? My God, the darkness has lifted and I have not fulfilled my desire for Your service, nor have I had my fill of the fountains of Your supplication. Send blessings upon Muhammad and his progeny, and do with me as You will, O Most Merciful of the merciful."

I feared that he would leave and I would lose sight of him, so I clung to him and said, "By the One who has granted you the relief from the fatigue of exhaustion and bestowed upon you the sweetness of reverent fear, have mercy on me and show me kindness, for I am lost." He replied, "If your reliance on God were true, you would not be lost, but follow me and walk in my footsteps." When he reached under the tree, he took my hand, and it seemed to me as if the ground extended beneath my feet. When dawn broke, he said to me, "Rejoice, for this is Mecca," and I heard the sounds of the people and saw the signs. I asked him, "By the One you hope for on the Day of Distress and the Day of Poverty, who are you?" He replied, "Since you have sworn by Him, I am Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them all).'"

Fateh Al-Abwab p.245

 

عن أبي جعفر ×: إن أباه علي بن الحسين × قاسم الله ماله مرتين. [41]

Abu Ja'far (Pbuh) said: "His father, Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh), divided his wealth with Allah twice."

Manaqeb Aal Abi Taleb Vol.4, p.154

 

عن محمد بن أبي حمزة عن أبيه قال: رأيت علي بن الحسين × في فناء الكعبة في الليل وهو يصلي, فأطال القيام حتى جعل مرة يتوكأ على رجله اليمنى ومرة على رجله اليسرى, ثم سمعته يقول بصوت كأنه باك: يا سيدي, تعذبني وحبك في قلبي, أما وعزتك لئن فعلت لتجمعن بيني وبين قوم طالما عاديتهم فيك. [42]

Muhammad bin Abu Hamza narrated from his father: "I saw Ali bin Hussain (Pbuh) in the courtyard of the Kaaba at night, praying. He stood for so long that he would alternate leaning on his right leg and then his left. I then heard him say, in a voice that sounded as though he was weeping: 'O my Master, would You punish me while Your love is in my heart? By Your honor, if You do, You will surely bring me together with those whom I have long opposed for Your sake.'"

Al-Kafi Vol.2, p.579

 

عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان علي بن الحسين × يلبس الصوف وأغلظ ثيابه إذا قام إلى الصلاة, وكان × إذا صلى يبرز إلى موضع خشن فيصلي فيه, ويسجد على الأرض, [43] فأتى الجبان وهو جبل بالمدينة يوما, ثم قام على حجارة خشنة محرقة, فأقبل يصلي وكان كثير البكاء, فرفع رأسه من السجود وكأنما غمس في الماء من كثرة دموعه. [44]

Imam Abo Abdullah (Pbuh) said: "Ali ibn Hussain (Pbuh) would wear coarse woolen clothes and dress in rough garments when he stood for prayer. He would pray in a rough place and prostrate on the ground. One day, he went to a place called Al-Jabban, a mountain in the city, and stood on burning, rough stones. He began to pray and wept extensively. When he lifted his head from prostration, it seemed as though his face had been dipped in water due to the abundance of his tears."

Al-Da’wat by Al-Rawandi p.32

 

* كرمه × His Generosity

عن سفيان بن عيينة، قال: رأى الزهري علي بن الحسين × ليلة باردة مطيرة، وعلى ظهره دقيق وحطب وهو يمشي فقال له: يا بن رسول الله ما هذا؟ قال: أريد سفرا اعد له زادا وأحمله إلى موضع حريز، فقال الزهري: فهذا غلامي يحمله عنك فأبى قلت: فأنا أحمله عنك فإني أرفعك عن حمله، فقال علي بن الحسين ×: لكني لا أرفع نفسي عما ينجيني في سفري، ويحسن ورودي على ما أرد عليه، أسألك بحق الله لما مضيت بحاجتك وتركتني، فانصرفت عنه، فلما كان بعد أيام رآه وقال‏ له: يا بن رسول الله لست أرى لذلك السفر الذي ذكرته أثرا، قال: بلى يا زهري ليس ما ظننت، ولكنه الموت وله أستعد إنما الاستعداد للموت‏ تجنب الحرام، وبذل الندى والخير. [45]

Sufyan ibn Uyaynah said: Al-Zuhri saw Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh) on a cold, rainy night, carrying flour and wood on his back and walking. He said to him: "O son of the Messenger of Allah, what is this?" He replied: "I am preparing provisions for a journey and carrying them to a secure place." Al-Zuhri said: "Here is my servant to carry it for you." But he refused. I said: "Then I will carry it for you, as I should relieve you of this burden." Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh) replied: "But I do not relieve myself of what will save me in my journey and make my arrival at what I seek better. I ask you by the right of Allah to go about your business and leave me." So he left him. After a few days, he saw him again and said: "O son of the Messenger of Allah, I do not see any sign of that journey you mentioned." He replied: "Indeed, O Zuhri, it is not what you thought, but rather it is death that I am preparing for. The preparation for death is avoiding the unlawful and giving generously and doing good."

Ilal Al-Shara’I Vol. 1, P: 231

 

روي أن الإمام زين العابدين × كان إذا جنه الليل وهدأت العيون قام إلى منزله فجمع ما يبقى فيه عن قوت أهله وجعله في جراب ورمى به على عاتقه وخرج إلى دور الفقراء وهو متلثم, ويفرق عليهم, وكثيرا ما كانوا قياما على أبوابهم ينتظرونه, فإذا رأوه تباشروا به وقالوا: جاء صاحب‏ الجراب‏.[46]

Imam Zain al-Abidin (pbuh), when the night fell and eyes rested, would go to his home, gather whatever was left beyond his family's sustenance, put it in a bag, and carry it on his shoulder. He would then go to the houses of the poor, veiled, and distribute it among them. Often, they would be standing at their doors waiting for him. When they saw him, they would rejoice and say: "The man of the bag has come."

Manaqib Al-Abi Talib Vol. 4, P: 153

 

روي لما وضع علي بن الحسين × على السرير ليغسل نظر إلى ظهره، وعليه مثل ركب الإبل مما كان يحمل على ظهره إلى منازل الفقراء والمساكين‏. [47]

When Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) was laid on the bier to be washed, they looked at his back and saw marks like those of camel saddles, from carrying provisions to the houses of the poor and needy.

Ilal Al-Shara’I Vol. 1, P: 231

 

عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان علي ابن الحسين × إذا كان اليوم الذي يصوم فيه أمر بشاة فتذبح وتقطع أعضاؤها وتطبخ، فإذا كان عند المساء أكب على القدور حتى يجد ريح المرق وهو صائم، ثم يقول هاتوا القصاع‏ اغرفوا لآل فلان واغرفوا لآل فلان حتى يأتي على آخر القدور، ثم يؤتى بخبز وتمر فيكون ذلك عشاؤه. [48]

Abu Abdullah (pbuh) said: When Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) fasted, he would order a sheep to be slaughtered and its parts cut and cooked. When evening came, he would lean over the pots to smell the broth while he was fasting. Then he would say, "Bring the bowls and serve to the family of so-and-so and the family of so-and-so," until the last of the pots was served. Then he would be brought bread and dates, and that would be his dinner.

Al-Mahasin Vol.2, P:396

 

عن عمرو بن دينار، قال: حضرت محمد بن اسامة بن زيد الوفاة فجعل يبكي، فقال له علي بن الحسين ×: ما يبكيك؟ قال: يبكيني أن علي خمسة عشر ألف دينار، ولم أترك لها وفاء فقال له علي ابن الحسين ×: لا تبك فهي علي وأنت منها بري‏ء، فقضاها عنه‏.[49]

Amr ibn Dinar said: I was present when Muhammad ibn Usama ibn Zayd was dying, and he began to cry. Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) said to him, "Why are you crying?" He replied, "I am crying because I owe fifteen thousand dinars, and I have not left enough to repay it." Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) said to him, "Do not cry; it is upon me, and you are free from it." Then he paid it off for him.

Al-Irshad Vol.2, P:149

 

عن سعيد بن المسيب، قال: حضرت علي بن الحسين × يوما حين صلى الغداة، فإذا سائل بالباب، فقال علي بن الحسين ×: أعطوا السائل ولا تردوا سائلا. [50]

Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib said: I was present when Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) prayed the morning prayer, and someone asked at the door. Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) said, "Give to the one who asks and do not turn away a beggar."

Al-Kafi Vol. 4, P: 15

 

عن أبي عبد الله × قال: كان علي بن الحسين × يخرج في الليلة الظلماء فيحمل الجراب فيه الصرر من الدنانير والدراهم حتى يأتي بابا بابا فيقرعه، ثم ينيل من يخرج إليه، فلما مات علي بن الحسين × فقدوا ذلك، فعلموا أن عليا × كان يفعله‏.[51]

Abu Abdullah (pbuh) said: Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) used to go out on dark nights carrying a bag filled with bundles of dinars and dirhams, and he would go from door to door, knocking and giving to whoever answered. When Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) passed away, they missed that practice and realized that it was Ali (pbuh) who had been doing it.

Al-Kafi Vol. 1, P: 468

 

عن عمر بن علي بن الحسين ×: لما قتل الحسين بن علي ×، لبسن نساء بني هاشم السواد والمسوح، وكن لا يشتكين من حر ولا برد، وكان علي بن الحسين × يعمل لهن الطعام للمأتم. [52]

Amr ibn Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) said: When al-Hussain ibn Ali (pbuh) was killed, the women of Bani Hashim wore black and rough clothes, and they did not complain about heat or cold. Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) used to prepare food for them for the mourning gatherings.

Al-Mahasin Vol.2, P:8

 

عن محمد بن عائشة: قال أبي‏: أن هشام بن عبد الملك حج في خلافة عبد الملك والوليد فطاف بالبيت, وأراد أن يستلم الحجر فلم يقدر عليه من الزحام, فنصب له منبر فجلس عليه, وأطاف به أهل الشام فبينا هو كذلك إذ أقبل علي بن الحسين ×, وعليه إزار ورداء من أحسن الناس وجها وأطيبهم رائحة بين عينيه سجادة كأنها ركبة عنز, فجعل يطوف بالبيت فإذا بلغ إلى موضع الحجر تنحى الناس حتى يستلمه هيبة له وإجلالا, فغاظ هشاما فقال رجل من أهل الشام لهشام: من هذا الذي قد هابه الناس هذه الهيبة, وأفرجوا له عن الحجر؟ فقال هشام: لا أعرفه, لأن لا يرغب فيه أهل الشام, فقال الفرزدق, وكان حاضرا: لكني أعرفه, فقال الشامي: من هو يا أبا فراس؟ فقال:‏

هذا الذي تعرف البطحاء وطأته‏ ... والبيت يعرفه والحل والحرم‏

هذا ابن خير عباد الله كلهم ... هذا التقي النقي الطاهر العلم‏

هذا علي رسول الله ص والده‏ ... أمسى بنور هداه تهتدي الظلم‏

إذا رأته قريش قال قائلها ... إلى مكارم هذا ينتهي الكرم‏

ينمي إلى ذروة العز التي قصرت‏ ... عن نيلها عرب الإسلام والعجم‏

يكاد يمسكه‏ عرفان‏ راحته‏ ... ركن الحطيم إذا ما جاء يستلم‏

يغضي حياء ويغضى من مهابته ... فما يكلم إلا حين يبتسم‏

ينشق نور الدجى عن نور غرته ... كالشمس تنجاب عن إشراقها الظلم‏

بكفه خيزران ريحه عبق‏ ... من كف أروع في عرنينه شمم‏

مشتقة من رسول الله نبعته‏ ... طابت عناصره والخيم والشيم‏

حمال أثقال أقوام إذا فدحوا ... حلو الشمائل تحلو عنده نعم‏

هذا ابن فاطمة إن كنت جاهله‏ ... بجده أنبياء الله قد ختموا

هذا ابن فاطمة الغراء نسبته‏ ... في جنة الخلد يجري باسمه القلم‏

الله فضله قدما وشرفه‏ ... جرى بذلك له في لوحه القلم‏

من جده دان فضل الأنبياء له‏ ... وفضل أمته دانت لها الأمم‏

عم البرية بالإحسان فانقشعت‏ ... عنها الغيابة والإملاق والظلم‏

كلتا يديه غياث عم نفعهما ... تستوكفان ولا يعروهما عدم‏

سهل الخليقة لا تخشى بوادره‏ ... يزينه اثنان حسن الخلق والكرم‏

لا يخلف الوعد ميمون نقيبته‏ ... رحب الفناء أريب حين يعترم‏

من معشر حبهم دين وبغضهم ... كفر وقربهم منجى ومعتصم‏

يستدفع السوء والبلوى بحبهم‏ ... ويستزاد به الإحسان والنعم‏

مقدم بعد ذكر الله ذكرهم‏ ... في كل بدء ومختوم به الكلم‏

إن عد أهل التقى كانوا أئمتهم‏ ... أو قيل من خير أهل الأرض قيل هم‏

لا يستطيع جواد بعد غايتهم‏ ... ولا يدانيهم قوم وإن كرموا

هم الغيوث إذا ما أزمة أزمت‏ ... والأسد أسد الشرى والنار تحتدم‏

يأبى لهم أن يحل الذم ساحتهم ... خيم كريم وأيد بالندى هضم‏

لا ينقص العسر شيئا من أكفهم ... سيان ذلك إن أثروا وإن عدموا

أي الخلائق ليست في رقابهم‏ ... لأولية هذا أو له نعم‏

من يعرف الله يعرف أولية ذا ... والدين من بيت هذا ناله الأمم‏

قال: فذهب هشام وأمر بحبس الفرزدق, فحبس بعسفان بين مكة والمدينة, فبلغ ذلك علي بن الحسين ×, فبعث إليه باثنتي عشرة ألف درهم, وقال ×: أعذرنا يا أبا فراس‏, لو كان عندنا أكثر من هذا لوصلناك به, فردها وقال: يا ابن رسول الله, ما قلت إلا غضبا لله ولرسوله |, وما كنت لأرزأ عليه شيئا, فردها إليه وقال × له: بحقي عليك, لما قبلتها فقد أنار الله مكانك وعلم نيتك فقبلها, فجعل الفرزدق يهجو هشاما وهو في الحبس فكان مما هجاه به قوله:‏

أتحبسني بين المدينة والتي ... إليها قلوب الناس تهوي منيبها

يقلب رأسا لم يكن رأس سيد ... وعينا له حولاء باد عيوبها[53]

Muhammad ibn Aisha narrated: My father said: Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik performed Hajj during the caliphates of Abd al-Malik and al-Walid. He circled the Kaaba and wanted to touch the Black Stone but could not due to the crowd. A platform was set up for him, and he sat on it surrounded by the people of Sham. While he was in that state, Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) approached. He was among the most handsome people and had the best fragrance, with a mark of prostration between his eyes like the knee of a goat. As he circled the Kaaba, whenever he reached the Black Stone, people moved aside so he could touch it, out of awe and reverence for him. This angered Hisham, and a man from Sham said to Hisham: Who is this man whom people revere and make way for him to touch the Stone? Hisham replied: I don't know him, so that the people of Sham would not become interested in him. The poet al-Farazdaq was present and said: But I know him. The man from Sham asked: Who is he, O Abu Firas? Al-Farazdaq then recited:

"This is the one whom the plains of Mecca know his footsteps, The Kaaba, the sanctuary, and the sacred precincts know him.

This is the son of the best of all Allah's servants, This is the pious, the pure, the eminent scholar.

This is Ali, the son of the Messenger of Allah, With the light of his guidance, darkness is led to light…

He said: So Hisham went and ordered the imprisonment of al-Farazdaq, and he was imprisoned in Asfan between Mecca and Medina. When this reached Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh), he sent to him twelve thousand dirhams and said to him: "Excuse us, O Abu Firas, if we had more, we would have given it to you." Al-Farazdaq refused it and said: "O son of the Messenger of Allah, I only spoke out of anger for Allah and His Messenger, and I would not take anything for it." Ali ibn al-Hussain (pbuh) sent it back to him and said: "By my right over you, accept it, for Allah has illuminated your place and knows your intention." So he accepted it.

Al-Farazdaq then started to compose satirical verses against Hisham while he was in prison. Among what he said were these verses:

"Do you imprison me between Medina and the place To which the hearts of the people incline, repentant?

You twist a head that is not a head of a master, And eyes that are cross-eyed, revealing their defects."

Rijal Al-Kashi P: 129

 

عن هشام بن سالم قال: كان علي بن الحسين × يعجبه العنب, فكان ذات يوم صائما فلما أفطر كان أول ما جاءت العنب أتته أم ولد له بعنقود فوضعته بين يديه, فجاء السائل فدفع إليه فدست إليه أعني إلى السائل فاشترته منه, ثم أتته فوضعته بين يديه, فجاء سائل آخر فأعطاه ففعلت أم الولد مثل ذلك حتى فعل ثلاث مرات, فلما كان في الرابع أكله. [54]

Hisham bin Salim said: Ali bin al-Husayn (pbuh) loved grapes. One day, while he was fasting, and when he broke his fast, the first thing brought to him was grapes. A maidservant of his brought him a cluster and placed it before him. A beggar came, and he gave it to him. The maidservant bought it back from the beggar and placed it before him again. Another beggar came, and he gave it to him. The maidservant did the same thing. This happened three times. When it happened the fourth time, he ate it.

Al-Mahasin Vol. 2, P:547

 

 

* حلمه ×His Forbearance

عن عبد الرزاق أنه قال: جعلت جارية لعلي بن الحسين × تسكب الماء عليه وهو يتوضأ للصلاة، فسقط الإبريق من يد الجارية على وجهه فشجه، فرفع علي ابن الحسين × رأسه إليها، فقالت الجارية: إن الله عز وجل يقول: {والكاظمين الغيظ}. فقال لها: قد كظمت غيظي، قالت: {والعافين عن الناس}. قال: قد عفا الله عنك. قالت: {والله يحب المحسنين}. قال: اذهبي فأنت حرة. [55]

Abdul Razzaq reported that a maidservant of Ali bin al-Husayn (pbuh) was pouring water for him while he was performing ablution for prayer. The pitcher fell from the maidservant's hand onto his face, causing a cut. Ali bin al-Husayn (pbuh) raised his head towards her, and the maidservant said, "Indeed, Allah says: {And those who restrain anger}." He replied, "I have restrained my anger." She continued, "{and pardon the people}." He said, "May Allah pardon you." She then said, "{and Allah loves the doers of good}." He said, "Go, you are free."

Al-Sadouq’s Al-Amali P: 268

 

عن محمد بن جعفر وغيره قالوا: وقف على علي بن الحسين × رجل من أهل بيته فأسمعه وشتمه، فلم يكلمه، فلما انصرف قال لجلسائه: قد سمعتم ما قال هذا الرجل، وأنا أحب أن تبلغوا معي إليه حتى تسمعوا ردي عليه, قال: فقالوا له: نفعل، ولقد كنا نحب أن تقول له ونقول، قال: فأخذ نعليه ومشى وهو يقول: {والكاظمين الغيظ والعافين عن الناس والله يحب المحسنين} فعلمنا أنه لا يقول له شيئا، قال: فخرج حتى أتى منزل الرجل فصرخ به فقال: قولوا له: هذا علي بن الحسين, قال: فخرج إلينا متوثبا للشر، وهو لا يشك أنه إنما جاءه مكافئا له على بعض ما كان منه، فقال له علي بن الحسين ×: يا أخي إنك كنت قد وقفت علي آنفا فقلت وقلت، فإن كنت قلت ما في فأستغفر الله منه، وإن كنت قلت ما ليس في فغفر الله لك, قال: فقبل الرجل ما بين عينيه وقال: بل قلت فيك ما ليس فيك، وأنا أحق به. [56]

Muhammad bin Ja'far and others said: A man from the family of Ali bin al-Husayn (pbuh) stood in front of him, insulted, and reviled him. Ali bin al-Husayn (pbuh) did not respond to him. When the man left, Ali bin al-Husayn (pbuh) said to those sitting with him, "You have heard what this man said, and I wish you to come with me to him so you can hear my response." They said, "We will do so, and we wished that you had responded to him and that we could also speak." So, he took his sandals and walked, saying, "{And those who restrain anger and pardon the people; and Allah loves the doers of good}." We realized that he would not say anything to him.

He went until he reached the man's house and called out to him, saying, "Tell him, this is Ali bin al-Husayn." The man came out, ready for confrontation, thinking that Ali bin al-Husayn (pbuh) had come to retaliate for what he had said earlier. But Ali bin al-Husayn (pbuh) said to him, "My brother, you stood in front of me earlier and said what you said. If what you said about me is true, I ask Allah for forgiveness. But if what you said is not true, may Allah forgive you."

The man then kissed him between his eyes and said, "I said about you what was not true, and I am more deserving of it."

Al-Irshad Vol. 2 P: 145

 

كان – الإمام زبن العابدين × - يوما خارجا من المسجد فلقيه رجل فسبه فثارت إليه العبيد والموالي، فقال لهم علي ×: مهلا كفوا، ثم أقبل على ذلك الرجل فقال له: ما ستر عنك من‏ أمرنا أكثر، الك حاجة نعينك عليها؟ فاستحى الرجل ورجع إلى نفسه، فألقى × خميصته‏ كانت عليه وأمر له بألف درهم فكان الرجل بعد ذلك يقول: أشهد أنك من أولاد الرسل‏. [57]

One day, Imam Zain al-Abidin (pbuh) was coming out of the mosque when he encountered a man who insulted him. The servants and followers of the Imam became angry and wanted to retaliate. However, Ali (pbuh) told them, "Calm down, hold back." Then he turned to the man and said, "What is hidden from you about us is much more. Do you have a need that we can assist you with?" The man felt ashamed and realized his mistake. The Imam (pbuh) then took off his cloak and gave it to the man, along with a thousand dirhams. After that, the man would say, "I bear witness that you are among the descendants of the prophets."

Hulyat Al-Abrar Vol. 3, P: 279

 

روي أن علي بن الحسين × دعا مملوكه مرتين فلم يجبه، ثم دعاه فأجابه في الثالثة، فقال له: يا بني أ ما سمعت صوتي؟ فقال له: بلى، قال: فمالك لا تجيبني؟ قال: أمنتك، قال: الحمد لله الذي جعل مملوكي يأمنني‏.[58]

It is narrated that Ali ibn al-Hussein (pbuh) called his servant twice, but the servant did not respond. Then he called him a third time, and the servant answered. The Imam (pbuh) asked him, "My son, did you not hear my voice?" The servant replied, "Yes, I did." The Imam asked, "So why did you not respond?" The servant said, "I felt secure with you." The Imam said, "Praise be to Allah who has made my servant feel secure with me."

Al-Irshad Vol. 2, P: 147

 

كان عنده – الإمام زبن العابدين × - قوم أضياف فاستعجل خادما له بشواء كان في التنور, فأقبل به الخادم مسرعا فسقط السفود منه على رأس بني لعلي بن الحسين × تحت الدرجة فأصاب رأسه فقتله, فقال علي × للغلام, وقد تحير الغلام واضطرب: أنت حر فإنك لم‏ تعتمده‏, وأخذ في جهاز ابنه ودفنه. [59]

Once, there were guests at Imam Zain al-Abidin's (pbuh) house, and he hurriedly sent a servant to fetch some roasted meat from the oven. The servant hurried with it, and accidentally, the hot tray fell from his hands onto the head of one of the sons of Ali ibn al-Hussein (pbuh) beneath the stairway, causing his death. Ali (pbuh) said to the young servant, who was confused and distressed: "You are free because you didn’t do it on purpose." He then arranged for the burial of his son.

Kashf Al-Ghumma Vol. 2, P: 81

 

استطال رجل على علي بن الحسين × فتغافل عنه، فقال له الرجل: إياك أعني، فقال له ×: وعنك اغضي. [60]

A man stared at Ali ibn al-Hussein (pbuh) persistently, but Ali ignored him. The man then said to him, "It is you who I mean." Ali responded, "And it is you who I forgive."

Manaqib Al Abi Talib Vol. 4, P: 157

 

عن أبي عبد الله × قال: حج علي بن الحسين صلوات الله عليه على راحلة عشر حجج ما قرعها بسوط, ولقد بركت به سنة من سنواته فما قرعها بسوط. [61]

Abu Abdullah (pbuh) narrated: Ali ibn al-Hussein (pbuh) performed Hajj riding on a camel for ten Hajj seasons without ever using a whip on it. One year it sat still and stopped moving and still he did not strike it with a whip.

Al-Mahasin Vol. 2, P: 361

 

عن أبي عبد الله ×: أن علي بن الحسين × تزوج سرية كانت للحسن بن علي ×, فبلغ ذلك عبد الملك بن مروان فكتب إليه في ذلك كتابا: أنك صرت بعل الإماء, فكتب إليه علي بن الحسين ×: أن الله رفع بالإسلام الخسيسة, وأتم به الناقصة, وأكرم به من اللؤم, فلا لؤم على مسلم إنما اللؤم لؤم الجاهلية, إن رسول الله | أنكح عبده ونكح أمته, فلما انتهى الكتاب إلى عبد الملك قال لمن عنده: أخبروني عن رجل إذا أتى ما يضع الناس لم يزده إلا شرفا؟ قالوا: ذاك أمير المؤمنين, قال: لا والله, ما هو ذاك, قالوا: ما نعرف إلا أمير المؤمنين, قال: فلا والله ما هو بأمير المؤمنين, ولكنه علي بن الحسين ×. [62]

Abu Abdullah (pbuh) narrated: Ali ibn al-Hussein (pbuh) married Sariyya, who was originally a maidservant of Hasan ibn Ali (pbuh). When Abdul Malik ibn Marwan was informed of this, he wrote a letter rebuking him for marrying such a woman, calling him "the husband of slave women." In response, Ali ibn al-Hussein (pbuh) wrote back: "Indeed, Allah has elevated the despicable things through Islam, perfected the incomplete, and honored after disgrace. There is no disgrace for a Muslim; disgrace is from the era of ignorance. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh and his family) allowed his servants to marry and he married from his maidservants." When Abdul Malik received the letter, he asked those around him, "Tell me about a man who, when he does what people think low of, does not increase except in honor?" They replied, "That is the Commander of the Faithful (Amir al-Mu'minin)." Abdul Malik responded, "No, by Allah, he is not that." They said, "We do not know anyone other than the Commander of the Faithful." Abdul Malik then said, "No, by Allah, he is not the Commander of the Faithful, but he is Ali ibn al-Hussein."

Al-Kafi Vol. 5, P: 345

 

 

* تواضعه‏ × His Humbleness

عن جعفر بن محمد الصادق × قال: كان علي ابن الحسين × لا يسافر إلا مع رفقة لا يعرفونه، ويشترط عليهم أن يكون من خدم الرفقة فيما يحتاجون إليه، فسافر مرة مع قوم، فرآه رجل فعرفه، فقال لهم: اتدرون من هذا؟ فقالوا: لا، قال: هذا علي بن الحسين، فوثبوا وقبلوا يده ورجله، وقالوا: يا بن رسول الله أردت أن تصلينا نار جهنم، لو بدرت منا إليك يد أو لسان اما كنا قد هلكنا آخر الدهر، فما الذي حملك على هذا؟ فقال: اني كنت سافرت مرة مع قوم يعرفونني فأعطوني برسول الله ما لا أستحق له، فأنا أخاف أن تعطوني مثل ذلك، فصار كتمان أمري أحب إلي‏. [63]

Jafar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (pbuh) said: Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh) would not travel except with companions who did not know him, and he would stipulate that he would help serve the group in their needs. Once he traveled with a group, and a man recognized him. He asked them, "Do you know who this is?" They replied, "No." He said, "This is Ali ibn al-Husayn." They rushed to him, kissed his hands and feet, and said, "O son of the Messenger of Allah, we fear that you will lead us to the fire of Hell, were a hand or a tongue to extend towards you unjustly, surely we would be doomed." They asked him, "What prompted you to do this?" He replied, "I traveled once with a group who knew me and they gave me more than what was rightfully mine because of my relation to the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp), and I fear you might do the same." Thus, I preferred to keep his identity concealed.

Al-Kafi Vol. 5, P: 338

 

عن أبي اسامة، عن أبي عبد الله ×، قال: كان علي بن الحسين × يقول: ما تجرعت جرعة غيظ قط أحب إلي من جرعة غيظ اعقبها صبرا، وما أحب أن لي بذلك حمر النعم. قال: وكان يقول: الصدقة تطفئ غضب الرب، قال: وكان لا تسبق يمينه شماله. قال: وكان يقبل الصدقة قبل أن يعطيها السائل، قيل له: ما يحملك على هذا؟ قال: فقال: لست اقبل يد السائل، إنما اقبل يد ربي، إنها تقع في يد ربي قبل أن تقع في يد السائل. قال: ولقد كان يمر على المدرة في وسط الطريق فينزل عن دابته حتى ينحيها بيده عن الطريق. قال: ولقد مر بمجذومين فسلم عليهم وهم يأكلون، فمضى ثم قال: إن الله لا يحب المتكبرين فرجع إليهم، فقال: إني صائم، وقال: ائتوني بهم في المنزل، قال: فأتوه فأطعمهم ثم أعطاهم‏.[64]

Abu Usama, from Abu Abdullah (pbuh), said: Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh) used to say: "There is no gulp of anger that I swallow that is more beloved to me than a gulp of anger followed by patience, and I would not exchange that for red camels." He used to say: "Charity extinguishes the wrath of the Lord." It was said that his right hand would never precede his left hand (in giving charity). He would kiss the charity before giving it to the beggar. He was asked: "What prompts you to do this?" He replied: "I am not kissing the hand of the beggar; I am kissing the hand of my Lord, for it falls into the hand of my Lord before it falls into the hand of the beggar." He would also dismount his mount to remove a thorn or obstacle from the road with his own hand. Once, he passed by lepers who were eating, and he greeted them. He went on, but then he said: "Indeed, Allah does not love the arrogant," so he returned to them and said: "I am fasting," then said: "Bring them to my house." They came, and he fed them, then he gave them charity.

Al-Tousi’s Al-Amali 673

 

عن هشام بن سالم، عن أبي عبد الله ×، قال: مر علي بن الحسين × على المجذومين وهو راكب حمار وهم يتغذون، فدعوه إلى الغذاء، فقال: أما لو لا أني صائم لفعلت، فلما صار إلى منزله أمر بطعام فصنع، وأمر أن يتنوقوا فيه، ثم دعاهم فتغذوا عنده، وتغذى معهم.[65] [66]

Hisham ibn Salim, from Abu Abdullah (pbuh), said: Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh) passed by a group of lepers while he was riding a donkey and they were having lunch. They invited him to join them for the meal. He said: "If I were not fasting, I would have done so." When he reached his home, he ordered food to be prepared, and he ordered that it be made with great care. Then, he invited them to his home, and they had lunch with him, and he ate with them.

Al-Kafi Vol. 2, P: 123

 

عن سفيان بن عيينة قال: رأى الزهري علي بن الحسين × ليلة باردة مطيرة, وعلى ظهره دقيق وهو يمشي, فقال: يا ابن رسول الله, ما هذا؟ قال ×: أريد سفرا أعد له زادا أحمله إلى موضع حريز, فقال الزهري: فهذا غلامي يحمله عنك, فأبى قال: أنا أحمله عنك فإني أرفعك عن حمله, فقال علي بن الحسين ×: لكني لا أرفع نفسي عما ينجيني في سفري, ويحسن ورودي على ما أرد عليه, أسألك بحق الله لما مضيت لحاجتك وتركتني, فانصرف عنه فلما كان بعد أيام قال له: يا ابن رسول الله, لست أرى لذلك السفر الذي ذكرته أثرا؟ قال ×:‏ بلى يا زهري, ليس ما ظننت ولكنه الموت وله أستعد, [67] إنما الاستعداد للموت تجنب الحرام وبذل الندى في الخير. [68]

Sufyan ibn Uyaynah said: Al-Zuhri saw Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh) on a cold, rainy night, carrying flour and wood on his back and walking. He said to him: "O son of the Messenger of Allah, what is this?" He replied: "I am preparing provisions for a journey and carrying them to a secure place." Al-Zuhri said: "Here is my servant to carry it for you." But he refused. I said: "Then I will carry it for you, as I should relieve you of this burden." Ali ibn al-Husayn (pbuh) replied: "But I do not relieve myself of what will save me in my journey and make my arrival at what I seek better. I ask you by the right of Allah to go about your business and leave me." So he left him. After a few days, he saw him again and said: "O son of the Messenger of Allah, I do not see any sign of that journey you mentioned." He replied: "Indeed, O Zuhri, it is not what you thought, but rather it is death that I am preparing for. The preparation for death is avoiding the unlawful and giving generously and doing good."

Ilal Al-Shara’I Vol. 1, P: 231