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Story No. 212 – Upbringing of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as): Amirul Momineen (Commander of the faithful)
Upbringing of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as)Amirul Momineen (Commander of the faithful), Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) was born three years before the marriage of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) with Hazrat Khadija (sa). Although Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) lived in the custody of his father and brothers for six tender years, then he (as) moved to Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) house because of the financial crisis which befell his father, Hazrat Abu Talib ibn Abdul Muttalib.
Since that early age, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) lived with the Messenger of Allah (saw). It was there that he spent his teens and adolescence during which he was a close observer of all the developments that happened in the life of the Messenger of Allah (saw).
So, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib’s (as) education was not an ordinary one, nor one which a normal child receives from his father, or elder brothers. The training and instruction he received was very special and it suffices to know that he followed Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) like his shadow, even during periods of exclusive privacy inside the grotto of the Hira Mountain where the mental and spiritual developments were witnessed through which Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was passing.
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) referred to the vast dimensions of the education he received at the hands of his guide, the Messenger of Allah (saw) in one of his speeches known by the title “Al-Qasi’ah” (censure):
“…you know what my relations with the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) were. From the very beginning of my life, he loved me and I loved him. He took me in his lap when I was a baby and thence I was always with him. He often kept me embraced to his heart. He used to lay me next to him. We used to be so close to each other that I felt the warmth of his body and smelled the fragrance of his odor. When I was a baby, he fed me with his hands, often chewing hard bits for me. He never found me lying nor weak and wavering. From the time of his [Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)] infancy, Allah (SWT) had appointed the greatest of His angels to always be with him, and His Arch Angel was leading him towards exemplary qualities and high moral values, and I followed him (saw) step by step as a baby camel follows its mother. Daily he used to place before me a fresh standard of efficiency and used to order me to follow it. Every year he used to stay in a grotto of the Hira Mountain for some time, and nobody used to be with him but me. None could then see or hear him but me. During those days Islam was the religion of only the Prophet and his wife, Khadija. I was the third of the trio. Nobody else in this world had accepted Islam. Even then I used to see the divine light of revelation and prophethood and smell the heavenly fragrance of prophethood.”
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) was so pure in spirit and straightforward in morality, according to the education he received from the Messenger of Allah (saw), that many shadows of the hidden future were lighted before him. He (as) says: “…When Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) received the first revelation, Satan lamented so loudly that I asked Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw): Who is lamenting and why? He (saw) replied, ‘It is Satan who has given up hopes of acquiring complete sway over human minds. In his disappointment, he is lamenting over the chance lost. Verily Ali, you also hear whatever I hear, and you see whatever I see; only you are not a prophet. But you are my wazir (minister), successor and helper, and you will always hold the truth and justice.”
In his own words, this text reveals how Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as), during his childhood, was treated by Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) with care, tenderness and self-denial. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) went to the extent of chewing morsels of food and putting them in Imam Ali’s mouth, holding him in his arms and treating him as though he were his own beloved son.
Story No. 155 – Muhammad, The Last Prophet’s (saw) invitation to relatives and the first Miracle
The propagation through practice of Islam by Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) and the increase in the number of his followers paved the way for the open invitation of the people to Islam. Allah (SWT) commanded Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) to invite his close relatives. “And warn your nearest relatives.” (Noble Qur’an, 26:214)
In this way, backbiters could not say, ‘Why do you not call your own relatives to worship the One God and warn them of God’s severe punishment?’ Moreover, the support of the relatives of Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) would help the promotion of Islam. So Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) told Imam Ali (as) to prepare a meal and invite their relatives, who numbered about 40. After preparing the meal, Imam Ali (as) invited them. All the relatives of Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) accepted the invitation and ate the meal prepared by the blessed hands of Imam Ali (as). Although the food was not sufficient for even one person, all 40 people were full after eating that blessed food and, strangely enough, the food had not diminished at all. This amazed all of them but the obstinate Abu Lahab ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, who said without thinking, ‘This is magic and charms’. The foolish man disregarded the fact that magic and charms cannot feed people!
On that day Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) said nothing about the matter. Perhaps his silence was due to the fact that he wanted them to realize the difference between a ‘miracle’ and ‘magic’ because if magic were the cause the guests would feel hungry after leaving the house of Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw).
Since this gathering did not give any favourable result, Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) invited them for the next day. Again the same reception was repeated and all were filled. Yet the food was not reduced even after the meal was over.
Then Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) said, ‘O sons of Abd Al-Muttalib. Allah (SWT) has assigned me to warn you of the painful torments of the wrongdoers and give you the good news of His reward to the pious believers. Become Muslims and follow me to achieve salvation. I swear by Almighty Allah (SWT) that among all Arabs I do not know anyone who has brought his people anything better than what I have brought you. I have brought you prosperity and salvation both in this world and in the hereafter. The Gracious God has commanded me to call you all to worship Him. Now which one of you is willing to help me with the task? Anybody who announces his readiness to help me will be my brother, my successor, and the executor of my will.’
Nobody answered but Imam Ali (as), who was the youngest. He stood up and said, ‘O Prophet of Allah (SWT). I am your assistant. I am your supporter.’
Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) asked him to sit down. He (saw) repeated the same saying three times but no one except Imam Ali (as) replied to him. Then Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) pointed to Imam Ali (as) and said, ‘He is my brother, my successor and the executor of my will among you. Listen to him and obey him.’
It was on this very day that a number of people came to believe in the faith of Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw), but ignorance and bigotry hindered some of his relatives from believing in his message. However, this gathering was effective in gaining support for Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw).
In addition to the fact of the extraordinary event – 40 people being fed with a small amount of food – there is another remarkable point in this event – the remarks Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) made about his cousin Imam Ali (as) on that day. They clearly prove the fact that Imam Ali (as) was Muhammad, The Last Prophet’s (saw) righteous successor and Caliph, and thus we must regard Imam Ali (as) as the successor of Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw).
Thus the way was paved for the public invitation of the people to Islam and open propagation of this divine faith. Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) demonstrated indefatigable perseverance in fulfilling this divine duty and did not stop his invaluable teachings, outreach and struggles for a single hour. It was then that the magnificent banner of Islam was hoisted and truth began to be promoted.
Public Mission of Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw)
Three years had passed from the time when Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) was divinely assigns to be a prophet, during which time he did his best to secretly guide those who were capable of being guided onto the path of piety and virtue. Whenever he observed a person who had gone astray, being drowned in the pit of idol worship and moral decay, he tried hard to save him. He entered the scene through the, gate of affection and benevolence and with his logical, eloquent speeches urged the people to adopt the monotheistic faith of Islam.
But since his faith had to prevail all over the world and be communicated to all human beings, Muhammad, The Last Prophet (saw) attempted to make his mission public and open and to declare his aims and plans to all.
Story No. 33 – Care for Animals
A man once came to Prophet Muhammad (S) carrying with him his belongings and a box. He said, “O Prophet! While I was passing through a jungle, I heard the voice of some bird’s babies. I took them and put them in this box. The moment I did that, their mother came fluttering round my head.”
And the Prophet said, “Put them down”. When the man put the box on the ground, the mother of the young birds joined them. Seeing this, the Prophet asked the man who now had a look of surprise on his face, “Are you surprised by the affection of the mother towards her young? I swear by Him (Almighty Allah) who has sent me, surely, God is more loving to his servants than the mother to these young birds. Return these baby birds to the place from where you took them, and let their mother be with them.”
“Fear God with regard to animals”, said the Prophet of Islam, “ride them when they are fit to be ridden, and get off their backs when they are tired; surely, there are rewards for being kind and gentle to animals, and for giving them water to drink.”
Islam has taught that in the eyes of Allah, animals also have rights in the same way as man has. They should not be treated badly, tortured or left to starve without food or water.
Imam Ali (a) had some ducks under his care in his house. At the time of his death, he had given particular advice to his sons to take good care of those animals, or to set them free if it was not possible to look after them properly.
The Holy Qur’an has also guided us by telling us that, in the eyes of God there is no difference between the human world and the animal world.
“There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.” (6:38)
The Prophet of Islam was once performing ablution (Wudhu) for prayers from a pot of water. A cat passed there and turned its eyes at the pot of water with a thirsty look. The Prophet realised at once that the cat was very thirsty, so he stopped the ablution (Wudhu) and placed the pot before the cat. Only after the cat had fully quenched its thirst, did the Prophet resume the ablution (Wudhu).
By this action, the Prophet has shown that quenching the thirst of even a small dumb animal is a noble act full of virtue and should be given first attention before one prepares for offering prayers to God.
Imamat Is Guidance We Need
Basra is a big city and the main port of Iraq. It is situated at the mouth of river Euphrates.
There, in a big mosque, people used to assemble to discuss various subjects on Islamic rules and laws. A famous learned priest of Sunni sect by name Amr Bin Ubeid was once preaching on the subject of Imamat. He was surrounded by a big crowd of people who were asking various questions on the subject. Suddenly, a young and intelligent student of Islam by name of Hesham, entered the gathering and sat down in the first row. He addressed the priest saying that he was a stranger and would like to ask some questions. On getting the permission to do so, he asked the following:
Hesham: First, Sir! May I please know if you have eyes?
Amr: Young Boy! Is this a question to be asked?
Hesham: Whatever it may be, this is my question to which I shall appreciate your answer.
Amr: Alright! you are at liberty to ask, even though it is a foolish question.
Hesham: As I have already asked, Sir, may I please know if you have eyes?
Amr: Yes, I have.
Hesham: For what use are they?
Amr: With eyes, I can see faces of people and colour of various things.
Hesham: And you have a nose also?
Amr: Yes, I do have one.
Hesham: What is its function?
Amr: I smell the scent and odour by it.
Hesham: And do you have a mouth?
Amr: Yes I do have.
Hesham: For what use is it?
Amr: I can talk to people or taste food and drinks with it.
Hesham: Do you have ears?
Amr: Yes, I have two ears.
Hesham: What is their function?
Amr: I can hear voices by them.
Hesham: And do you have a mind?
Amr: Almighty has bestowed me with that also.
Hesham: What is its use?
Amr: With that I am able to distinguish things whatever is felt by the other senses like hands, eyes, ears, nose, tongue etc. In case of a difference, I am able to solve with its help. In case of doubt, I can dispel with it and be sure.
Hesham: So, does it mean that despite being sound and healthy, all these organs cannot function independently without the help of the mind.
Amr: No, No! none of the organs can function independently without the help of the mind.
Hesham: Why is it so? After all, are the organs perfect and strong enough to differentiate between things?
Amr: Young Boy! When any organ has some doubt about a thing which it smells, sees or tastes, it brings the matter to the mind and it is the mind which confirms the truth and removes the doubt.
Hesham: So, from what you have said, do you want me to understand that God Almighty has created and designed the mind to guide the organs and remove doubts.
Amr: Yes! It is so.
Hesham: So the mind is a necessity, otherwise the organs could not work independently.
Amr: Yes.
Hesham: Please Sir! Proclaim your opinion with fairness and justice on this point also. If Almighty has not left the organs of man’s body without the guidance of the mind, how is it possible that Almighty God could leave millions of His creatures without an IMAM to guide and solve their problems arising out of doubts and conflicts? Should not our common sense accept this fact?
On hearing this logic argument. and having no answer to give, Amr Bin Ubeid kept silent and went into deep thinking.
Hesham was a deeply learned person and one of the closest companions of Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) from whom he had obtained his knowledge.
‘IMAM’ is an Arabic word which literally means ‘Leader’ or ‘Guide’. Any leader or guide can be good or bad, true or false. Therefore, it is essential for every Muslim to know what makes and who is a true and good Imam. The Holy Prophet has said: “If a man dies without recognising the Imam of his time, he dies the death of ignorance.”
It is of utmost importance that the Imam must be appointed by a Prophet under the command of God, nobody can be an Imam either by claiming to be so, by inheritance or by the wealth or power which he may have.
It is essential that an Imam possess certain characteristics and qualities so that a clear distinction can be made between a true and false Imam. Some of these are as under:
1. An Imam must be free from every defect – Physical as well as Mental;
2. He must be born of legal Marriage;
3. He must be Ma’sum (Infallible-Sinless) like the Prophet – from birth to death;
4. He must possess all knowledge and be the wisest of all human beings of his time;
5. He must know all the languages including those of animals also;
6. He must be able to perform miracles;
7. He must be bold, brave and most courageous;
8. He should be most generous and be able to help needy and weak persons.
In short, an Imam is the Holiest, most Pious of all – after the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S)
Care for Animals
A man once came to Prophet Muhammad (S) carrying with him his belongings and a box. He said, “O Prophet! While I was passing through a jungle, I heard the voice of some bird’s babies. I took them and put them in this box. The moment I did that, their mother came fluttering round my head.”
And the Prophet said, “Put them down”. When the man put the box on the ground, the mother of the young birds joined them. Seeing this, the Prophet asked the man who now had a look of surprise on his face, “Are you surprised by the affection of the mother towards her young? I swear by Him (Almighty Allah) who has sent me, surely, God is more loving to his servants than the mother to these young birds. Return these baby birds to the place from where you took them, and let their mother be with them.”
“Fear God with regard to animals”, said the Prophet of Islam, “ride them when they are fit to be ridden, and get off their backs when they are tired; surely, there are rewards for being kind and gentle to animals, and for giving them water to drink.”
Islam has taught that in the eyes of Allah, animals also have rights in the same way as man has. They should not be treated badly, tortured or left to starve without food or water.
Imam Ali (a) had some ducks under his care in his house. At the time of his death, he had given particular advice to his sons to take good care of those animals, or to set them free if it was not possible to look after them properly.
The Holy Qur’an has also guided us by telling us that, in the eyes of God there is no difference between the human world and the animal world.
“There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.” (6:38)
The Prophet of Islam was once performing ablution (Wudhu) for prayers from a pot of water. A cat passed there and turned its eyes at the pot of water with a thirsty look. The Prophet realised at once that the cat was very thirsty, so he stopped the ablution (Wudhu) and placed the pot before the cat. Only after the cat had fully quenched its thirst, did the Prophet resume the ablution (Wudhu).
By this action, the Prophet has shown that quenching the thirst of even a small dumb animal is a noble act full of virtue and should be given first attention before one prepares for offering prayers to God.