Story No. 273 – Two healthy, fat Camels and sincere Namaz/Salat (Prayer) of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as)

Once, two healthy, fat Camels were gifted to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked his companions (Sahabah): “Can anyone amongst you perform two Rakats (units) of Salat with complete perfection (in all of its actions) and with complete humility in which not a single worldly thought does enters into your minds and no thoughts of the transient world run through your heart so that if any of you can do this, then I can gift one of these camels to you?” None of the companions spoke, there was still silence. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) repeated his challenge second and third time, however none of his companions replied to his request and did not move from their place. At that point, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as), stood up and accepted this challenge saying, “O Messenger of Allah! I can perform two Rakats (units) of Salat and for the duration of the entire prayer, none of the affairs of the world runs through my mind! Insha Allah.”

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “O’ Ali! Stand up and offer your prayer, may Allah send His blessings upon you.”

Thus, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) began his Salat, and when he was about to complete his prayers by beginning the Salam of the last Rakat, angel Jibril (Gabriel) descended upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and whispered to him that Almighty Allah (SWT) says that to give one of the camels to Ali.

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said to Jibreel (as): “My condition was, that during the performance of Salat the affairs of the transient world should not come into the mind, only then would I give that person one of the camels but, when Ali was in Tashahhud, he began to think to himself, which healthy, fat camel he would choose?”

Jibreel (as) then said, “O Messenger of Allah! Indeed Almighty Allah (SWT) conveys His regards to you and He says, that Ali was thinking which of the two healthy, fat Camels to take so that he could slaughter it in the way of Allah and distributes its meat to the needy and the destitute for the pleasure of Allah. Thus, his thinking and intention about this (material world) was for Allah and it was not for his (own) self (and his own personal benefit), nor was it for this transient world.”

At this point of time, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) began to cry and gave both of the camels to Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as), Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) proceeded to slaughter them both and gave all of their meat to the needy people.

Ali Se Pehle Ibadat Ka Sar Anjaam Na Tha
Adab Khuda Ka Mohammad Ka Ehtram Na Tha
Namaz Hoti Bhi Qayim Tau Kis Tarha Hoti
Khuda Ka Ghar Tau Bana Tha Magar Imam Na Tha

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said that: “Anyone who performs two Rakats (units) of Salat and doesn’t bring the worldly thoughts in his mind, Allah (SWT) will be satisfied with him and He forgives all his sins.”

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) says: Fikro Sa’atin Khairun Min Ibadate Sab’ena Sanah [An hour’s reflection (on Allah’s creation) is better than the Ibadat of 70 years].