Story No. 267 – Hazrat Ali (as) and Love for the sake of Allah (SWT)

The problem of the conflict between the world and the Hereafter and the contradiction between them as two opposite poles, such as the north and the south, which are such that proximity to the one means remoteness from the other, is related to the world of human heart, conscience, human attachment, love and worship. Allah (SWT) has not given two hearts to man:

 

Allah (SWT) has not assigned to any man two hearts within his breast. (Noble Qur’an, 33:4)

 

With one heart one cannot choose two beloveds.

 

Hazrat Ali (as) would always spend time with his children. Once he was sitting in his house with his two young children, Hazrat Abbas, his son, and Bibi Zainab, his daughter.

 

Hazrat Ali (as) said to Hazrat Abbas, “Say Wahid (one)”. Hazrat Ali (as) then asked him to “say Isnain (Two)”. Hazrat Abbas replied, “I feel ashamed to utter ‘two’ from the same tongue which just said ‘one'”.

 

Hazrat Ali (as) hugged his son, pleased at such a charming expression. The reply from Hazrat Abbas indicated how deeply devoted he was in his belief in Tawheed, that is, Oneness of Allah (SWT). A true believer never likes to even imagine any association with Allah (SWT).

 

Bibi Zainab then asked, “Dear, father, do you love me?” Hazrat Ali (as) said, “Yes, of course, my children are like a part of my heart”. On hearing this, she said, “You also love Allah (SWT). How can two loves be in one heart of a true believer, the love of Allah (SWT) and that of children?

 

Hazrat Ali (as) smiled and replied, “Love Allah (SWT) and for the sake of His love, you love His creatures; children and fellow beings too. I love you for the sake of Allah (SWT).”