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Ali's
humility
Ali was humble and hated pomp and
arrogance. Even as Caliph he used to sweep the floor of his own
house, chop wood for fuel, carry water on his shoulders, mend his
own shoes, wash his own clothes and milk his goat. Ali's wife
Fatima did similar domestic jobs with her own hands, grinding
wheat in the hand-mill, baking bread, lighting the oven, washing
the dishes and tending to her children.
Returning one day with some dates
from the bazaar he received many offers from people anxious to
carry them for him. Ali refused them all, saying. "Whosoever is
responsible for looking after his children, has the bigger
responsibility of carrying the burden himself." Ali was often seen
walking barefooted and on one occasion when he happened to be
riding a horse he was distressed to find people following him on
foot. Asking them what they wanted, he was told that they felt
elated by walking in his retinue. To this Ali replied, "Go back to
your business. By walking behind a rider, you will breed feelings
of inferiority in yourselves and infect me with arrogance.
On another
occasion when Ali was discussing the essential qualities of a
ruler in a sermon, a member of the congregation rose and praised
Ali for his eloquence. Ali said that his subjects ought not to
praise him, for he wanted no flattery, being all too conscious of
his own unworthiness. Concluding his sermon he said, "To a person
who has been influenced by the superb Majesty of God, everything
else appears petty and frivolous. He looks upon all other things
as shallow and trivial. The worst ruler is one who is given to
pride and arrogance and hears flattering words from other. Ali
praise is due to God. You should not praise me because I herewith
declare before God and all of you that are here that I have many
responsibilities which still lie un-discharged. In the face of
this how can any one applaud me and consider me praise worthy?
You should not accord me that treatment which is only befitting to
tyrants. Neither become afraid of me nor ever hesitates to tell
the truth. Do not show any consideration to me if you feel that I
am wanting in justice, and never conceal the truth from me. I
cannot trust any flatter because he might mislead me and his
tempting talk might beguile me into vainglory. I pray to God to
save me from an erroneous path. We men are all alike and there is
no other Master than God."
