The Life of Imam Ali (a.s) > The Commander of The Faithful at a quick glance

After the end of the battle of Jamal, (1) .Ali (a.s) arrived in Basrah. During his stay in Basrah, once he went to visit one of his Companions named 'Ala ibn Zaid Haressi.' This man owned a very big and luxurious residence with all comforts. Ali (a.s), after traversing his eyes on such a big and magnificent building, said: "What is the use of such a big residence in this world while you are in more need of a vast in the hereafter? If you wish to make use of it as a mean to attain a spacious residence in the hereafter, you must welcome and entertain guests, be friendly with your blood relatives, clarify the rights of Muslims, take an advantage to vitalize and reveal the rights of others and neglect your personal greedy monopoly and individuality in its use.

Ala said: "O Leader of the Believers! I complain to you of my brother, Assem". (2)

Ala: "He has started the life of a recluse, dressed himself in rags, isolated himself from this world, and deserted everything and everyone.

Imam Ali (a.s): "Bring him in front of me!" Assem was brought before the Imam (a.s). Ali (a.s) turned the face towards him and said: "O enemy of your own life! The devil has stolen your sense. Why don't you have sympathy for your wife and children? Do you believe that Allah, Who made the pure bounties of life licit for you, will be displeased with you if you benefit them? You are smaller than that before Allah."

Assem: "O Leader of Believers! You are also like me, imposing the difficulties on yourself! You do not cover your body with soft dresses, nor eat delicious meals. Therefore, I am doing the same thing which you are doing, and I am following the same path which you have chosen."

Ali (a.s): "You are making a mistake. There is a difference between me and you. I shoulder responsibilities of Leadership and Government but you do not. The duties of a Leader and Governor is something else. Allah made incumbent on the just leaders to take the weakest social classes of people as an example for their own personal lives and live in the same manner as the most empty-handed ones survive so that poverty and indigency does not leave impression on them. Therefore, I am having responsibilities and you have another obligation." (3)

Notes: 1. The battle of Jamal took place in the vicinity Basrah between Imam 'Ali (a.s), the Commander of believers, on one side and 'A'ishah, Talhah and Zubair on the other side.

It was named the battle of Jamal, for 'A'ishah directed the army while mounting a camel (Jamal in Arabic language means camel). After the allocation of Calipath to Imam Ali (a.s) and observance of his equitable conduct in conceding no privilege for the aristocrats, 'A'ishah, Talhah and Zubair launched the military attack against the Imam (a.s). The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Imam Ali (a.s) over them.

2. Narrated by Ibn Abl al-Hadid in his interpretation on Nahj al-balaghah, v. 3, p. 19.

Source - The Narrative of Veracious - Vol. II, by Shahid Murtadha Mutahhari.

Ali (a.s) and Assem