Story No. 241 – Justice even against his own interests: Principle of Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (as)

How many of us in this life would resort to Justice even if it was against ourselves? Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (as) says, “One who exhibits fairness on his part, Allah (SWT) shall increase him in glory”. (Jame al-Sadaat)

 

When it came to justice, Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (as) never bothered about himself. Shu’bi narrates the following incident which occurred during the Caliphate of Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (as). Shu’bi says,

 

I once entered the vast open ground of Kufah. I witnessed that Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (as) was standing besides two containers which were filled with gold and silver coins. A huge crowd had gathered around him. Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (as) had a whip in his hand for preventing the people from hampering the distribution of money. Then Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (as) began distributing the money until nothing remained for himself and returned home empty handed.

 

I returned home and said to my father: “I witnessed a very strange act today but I failed to comprehend if this person’s action was good or bad because he never retained anything for himself”. When asked about the person, I said, “Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (as)” and told him everything that had transpired. Upon hearing Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza’s (as) fairness, my father began to cry and said, “My son! You have witnessed the most excellent person from amongst the people”.

 

A Leader with a perfect temperament and humility

 

Many at times when we watch the news we are presented with various leaders who’s true views and inner thoughts are revealed by accident, e.g. by a microphone capturing their remarks uttered only meant for a private audience. When reading about Imam Ali’s (A) life and incidents, it is very remarkable that various witnesses who had the opportunity to be with the Imam Ali (A) in private, are always portraying Imam Ali (A) with the best Moral (Akhlaq).