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An overview of the historical narrations regarding the description of Imam Ali, as described by his contemporaries and devotees?
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Monday, 30 November -0001 00:00
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Sayyed Roohullah Musavi
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Imam Ali
perfect man, Islamic morals
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owidctlpar\li4\sl276\slmult1\qj\lang1033\f0\fs28 Dirar ibn Damarah who was one of Imam Ali's devotees reported: Following the martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS), I departed for Syria to see Mu'awiyah. Knowing that I was a devotee of Imam Ali, Mu'awiyah asked, "Describe Ali for me."
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owidctlpar\li4\sb72\sl276\slmult1 "Please," I answered, "accept my excuse, for my tongue cannot possibly describe him."
\par Mu'awiyah insisted, "Your excuse is not accepted. You have to describe him to me."
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owidctlpar\li4\sl276\slmult1 I therefore said:
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owidctlpar\li168\ri172\sb57\sl276\slmult1\qj "Now that you refuse to accept my excuse, listen carefully! Ali was sharp sighted, prudent, powerful, and strong in the way of Allah. What he said was a criterion to distinguish between what was just and unjust. His judgments were fair. He was abounding in knowledge. Wisdom was evident in all dimensions of his character. His intuition satiated those who had a thirst for it. He feared the ornaments of the world. He was devoted to the nocturnal supplications. Pondering over the tumultuous future (hereafter) made him cry ceaselessly. Wearing coarse garment was pleasure for him. He loved plain food. He was not pretentious but was like one of us. If we had any question, we would pose it to him and he would immediately answer it. If we asked for any help, he would immediately help us. Although he was very intimate, he was so awesome that we would never dare to say anything in vain. He was so dignified that we would never open our eyes on his face. He honored the people of religion and pleased the poor by fondling them. No man of authority dared to misuse his power in his presence so as to get his approval for the unjust act he had done. No common person was made disappointed by his justice, thinking that since he had no power, he would be deprived of his justice. I take God as witness that in the middle of night and also when the stars were about to disappear, I saw him holding his beard in his hands, and like one bitten by a snake, he wept bitterly, saying: "O world, go and deceive someone else, for I am not fond of you. Nevertheless, if you are offering yourself to me, you are quite mistaken, for I have divorced you three times, giving you no chance of recourse. O world, know that your life is short, your worth is little and your pleasure is transient.' Then, he heaved a sigh, saying: 'Oh for little provision, long journey, and a path full of horror." (l)
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owidctlpar\li168\ri172\sb57\sl276\slmult1\qj Reference:
\par \f1 (1) \f0 'Allamah al-Hilli, \i Kashf al-Yaqin, \i0 pp. 105 (The English Version).
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address
The life of Imam Ali (as)
bookname
The life of Imam Ali (as)
fieldid
209-09192530560-863
editedby_alias
Faisal Shaheen
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Dirar ibn Damarah who was one of Imam Ali's devotees reported: Following the martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS), I departed for Syria to see Mu'awiyah. Knowing that I was a devotee of Imam Ali, Mu'awiyah asked, "Describe Ali for me."
"Please," I answered, "accept my excuse, for my tongue cannot possibly describe him."
Mu'awiyah insisted, "Your excuse is not accepted. You have to describe him to me."
I therefore said:
"Now that you refuse to accept my excuse, listen carefully! Ali was sharp sighted, prudent, powerful, and strong in the way of Allah. What he said was a criterion to distinguish between what was just and unjust. His judgments were fair. He was abounding in knowledge. Wisdom was evident in all dimensions of his character. His intuition satiated those who had a thirst for it. He feared the ornaments of the world. He was devoted to the nocturnal supplications. Pondering over the tumultuous future (hereafter) made him cry ceaselessly. Wearing coarse garment was pleasure for him. He loved plain food. He was not pretentious but was like one of us. If we had any question, we would pose it to him and he would immediately answer it. If we asked for any help, he would immediately help us. Although he was very intimate, he was so awesome that we would never dare to say anything in vain. He was so dignified that we would never open our eyes on his face. He honored the people of religion and pleased the poor by fondling them. No man of authority dared to misuse his power in his presence so as to get his approval for the unjust act he had done. No common person was made disappointed by his justice, thinking that since he had no power, he would be deprived of his justice. I take God as witness that in the middle of night and also when the stars were about to disappear, I saw him holding his beard in his hands, and like one bitten by a snake, he wept bitterly, saying: "O world, go and deceive someone else, for I am not fond of you. Nevertheless, if you are offering yourself to me, you are quite mistaken, for I have divorced you three times, giving you no chance of recourse. O world, know that your life is short, your worth is little and your pleasure is transient.' Then, he heaved a sigh, saying: 'Oh for little provision, long journey, and a path full of horror." (l)
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Reference:
(1) 'Allamah al-Hilli, Kashf al-Yaqin, pp. 105 (The English Version).