IMAM ALI
(A.S.) AND THE CANDLE

A candle burnt
by his side, as he sat down meticulously recording all the revenue and the
expenses of the treasury.

Just then Talha and Zubair appeared.

They aspired
to some positions of authority in Imam Ali's (A.S.) rule and had come to strike
a deal. If Imam Ali's (A.S.) gave them a place of distinction, they would in
turn pledge their full support. Imam Ali's (A.S.) knew of this.

Just as they
sat down, Imam Ali's (A.S.) puts out the candle and lit another one.

Talha and Zubair exchanged a glance of
surprise and then one of them said:

"O Ali,
we have come on some important business. But why did you extinguish the first
candle?"

Imam Ali's
(A.S.) replied: "That was a candle bought of Treasury funds. As long as I
worked for the Treasury, I used it. Now you have come for some personal work,
so I use the candle bought of my personal fund."

Talha and Zubair left him without saying
another word.

Hobeish relates this story: Two travelers sat together on
the way to their destination to have a meal. One had five loaves of bread. The
other had three. A third traveler was passing by and at the request of the two
joined in the meal.

The travelers
cut each of the loaf of bread in three equal parts. Each of the travelers ate
eight broken pieces of the loaf.

At the time of
leaving the third traveler took out eight dirhams and
gave to the first two men who had offered him the meal, and went away. On
receiving the money the two travelers started quarrelling as to who should have
how much of the money.

The
five-loaf-man demanded five dirhams. The
three-loaf-man insisted on dividing the money in two equal parts.

The dispute
was brought to Imam Ali Ibn Abi
Talib (the Caliph of the time in Arabia to be decided.

Imam Ali (A.S.)
requested the three-loaf-man to accept three dirhams.
The man refused and said that he would take only four dirhams.
At this Imam Ali (A.S.) returned, "You can have only one dirham. You had
eight loaves between yourselves. Each loaf was broken in three parts.
Therefore, you had 24 equal parts. Your three loaves made nine parts out of
which you have eaten eight portions, leaving just one to the third traveler.
Your friend had five loaves which divided into three made fifteen pieces. He
ate eight pieces and gave seven pieces to the guest. As such the guest shared
one part from your loaves and seven from those of your friend. So you should
get one dirham and your friend should receive seven dirhamsIN THE COMPANY OF THE CALIPH

When Imam Ali (A.S.)
was coming to Kufa, he entered the city of populated by Iranians.
The Iranian farmers were very happy to see their beloved caliph passing through
their town. They came to his visit. When it was time for Imam Ali (A.S.) to
leave, they started running in front of his horse. Imam Ali (A.S.) inquired
about this behavior.;This is one way
that we extend respect to our leaders and respectful individuals. This is our
custom that has been practiced for years."

"This
behavior puts you in discomfort in this world, and brings about humiliation in
the next world. Always stay away from practices that humiliate you. After all
what benefit is there in such a practice to the recipients?"

A father and a
son were once guests of Imam Ali (A.S.). As they arrived, Imam (A.S.) received
them warmly and arranged for their comfortable accommodation. In a room where
they were seated, Imam (A.S.) sat opposite to them, engaging them in a friendly
conversation. And then it was time for the meal. After food had been served and
eaten, Qambar, Imam's servant, brought a basin and a
pitcher full of water for washing the guest's hands. Imam (A.S.) took the
pitcher himself and asked the father to extend his hands so that he would pour
the water.

"How is
it possible that my Imam serves me? It should be other way," the guest
said.

Imam Ali
(A.S.) said: "Here is your brother in faith, eager to serve his brother
and to earn the pleasure of Allah. Why do you prevent him?"

But the guest
hesitated. Finally Imam (A.S.) said: "As your Imam, I request that you
allow me the honor of this service."

And when the
guest complied, Imam (A.S.) said: "Let your hands be washed thoroughly. Do
not hasten, thinking that I should be relieved of this duty early."

When it was
the son's turn, Imam (A.S.) instructed his own son Muhammad Ibn
Hanafiyyah, to hold the pitcher and wash the guest's
hands. Looking at his son, Imam (A.S.) said:

I washed your
father's hands. My son washed your hands. If your father had not been my guest
today, I would have washed your hands myself. But Allah loves to see that when
a father and a son are present in a place, the father enjoys a privilege and a
priority.