(21)
On the Knowledge of God
A Bedouin approached Imam Ali (A.S.) in the Battle of Camel and asked if he asserted that God was one. In answer, Imam Ali (A.S.) said:
To say that God is one has four meanings; Two of these meanings are false and two correct. As for the two incorrect meanings, one is that one should say 'God is one' and be thinking of number and counting. This meaning is false because that which has no second cannot enter into the category of number. Do you not see that those who said that God is the third of trinity [i.e, the Christians] fell into infidelity? Another meaning is to say that so and so is one of this people, namely as a species of this genus or a member of this species. This meaning is also not correct when applied to God, for it implies likening something to God and God is above all likeness.
As for the two meanings that are correct when applied to God, one is that it should be said that God is one in the sense that there is no likeness unto Him among things. God possesses such uniqueness. And one is to say that God is one on the sense that there is no multiplicity or division conceiveable in Him, neither outwardly nor in the mind nor in the imagination. God possesses such unity.
Also Imam Ali (A.S.) said:
To know God is to know His Oneness.
This means that to prove that the Being of God is unlimited and infinite suffices to prove His Oneness, for to conceive a second for the Infinite is impossible.

(22)
Neighbors First
The child had made it a habit to rise regularly in the small hours of the night and join his mother in her nightly prayers called Tahajjud. He observed that his mother prayed for all Muslim men and women. She remembered them by name and prayer for their prosperity and well being.
O Allah, pardon them their sins and let Your grace embrace them in all their dealings.
On this particular morning, he decided to ask. When the prayers were over, he asked:
Mother, you pray for all every day. Not a word for yourself or any one in the family?
Bibi Fatima, blessings and salutations to her, said: 'O Hasan, remember one thing. Neighbors first and then the house.'

(23)
Not the Personalities
It was the famous or rather infamous battle of Jamal, where armies of Muslims arranged themselves against each other. On one side were Talha and Zubair, the Companions of the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.), at the head was Ummul Mu'mineen Aisha, the Holy Prophet's wife. On the other side was an army led by Amir ul Mu'mineen, Imam Ali(A.S.),
The Imam, tried his best to avert the war, but the opposition remained adamant. They said they were out to avenge the blood of Uthman. As the battle raged on, a companion who had been watching in detachment slowly advanced to Imam Ali(A.S.), and said:
O Ali, is it possible to believe that men like Talha and Zubair and a lady like Aisha, the mother of the faithful have all joined hands on the wrong side?
The Imam(A.S.), replied:
You have tangled yourself in a misleading argument. Truth and untruth are not judged by the personalities. Discern the truth first and then know its followers. Recognise the untruth and then identify its adherents.

(24)
The Pilgrimage Companion
A man had returned from Hajj. He was relating his adventures to Imam Sadiq (A.S.), and his companion. He was most impressed with one of his companions of Hajj, and was praising him. What a gracious man, we were so blessed to have him with us, he was busy praying and worshiping all the time. As we would stop somewhere, he would rush to a corner and start prayers.
Imam (A.S.): "Then who was attending to his duties? Who was watering and feeding his animal (ride)?"
Man: "Of course, we had the honor of doing all that for him. He was busy in his sacred quest, and had nothing to do with such mundane things."
Imam(A.S.): "Then indeed, you all are better than him."

(25)
Poverty and Pomp
Behlool liked to visit the graveyards. "People here are good friends", he used to say, "They do not backbite." Once, he sat in a corner of a graveyard and with a long heavy stick started probing some of the old skulls which lay scattered about. Harun Rashid, the king passed by, and saw him. The he said: O Behlool, what are you doing?
Oh nothing very important, said Behlool. I am just trying to find out whether the skulls belong to kings or paupers. They are all the same.
And what is the stick for, Harun asked.
Well, I am measuring the earth, Behlool replied.
Measuring the earth? What are your findings? Harun joked!
It is equal and the same, O King! Behlool retorted. Three arm lengths for me, inspite of my poverty and three arm lengths for you, in spite your pomp and wealth.

(26)
Sacrifice of the Lamb
Just as the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), and his companions landed from their rides, and laid the loads down, it was decided that they would sacrifice a lamb for dinner.
One of the companions volunteered: "I will sacrifice the lamb."
Another: "I will skin it."
Third: "I will cook it."
Fourth: " I will...."
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.): "I will gather the wood from the desert."
The group: "O Messenger of Allah, it is not becoming of you to discomfort yourself as such. You rest. We will be honored to do all this on our own."
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.): "I know that you are eager to do it all, but Allah isn't pleased with the slave who disguinshes between himself and his companions, and considers himself better than others." (1)
Then he went to the desert, and gathered some wood, and brought it to the group.

(27)
The Shopkeeper
A heavy-built tall man was passing through the market of Kufa, his step firm and assured. He had fine figure and sun-burnt face; encounters of the battle-field had left their marks on him and the corner of one of his eyes was slit. A shop-keeper, to amuse his friends, threw a handful of sweepings onto the man. The man continued his walk in the same assured and firm manner, without raising an eye-brow or looking towards the shop-keeper. When he went away, a friend of the shop-keeper said: "Do you know who the man is whom you have insulted just now?"
"No, I don not recognise him. He was a passer-by like thousands of people passing this way everyday. But tell me who was this man."
"Strange! Didn't you recognise him?! He was Malik Ashtar, the renowned Commander-in-Chief of Ali (AS)."
"Strange! He was Malik Ashtar?! The same Malik whose bravery turns the heart of lion into water and mention of whose name makes his enemies tremble with fear?"
"Yes, that was Malik himself"
"Woe to me! What did I do? Now he will give order to punish me severely. I must run to him immediately to apologise and pray him to forgive my misbehaviour."
He ran after Malik. He saw him turning towards a mosque. He followed him to the Mosque and saw that he had started praying. He waited till he finished his prayer. Humbly introducing himself he told him: "I am the man who had committed the silly prank and behaved disrespectfully to you"
Malik said: "But, by Allah, I did not come in the mosque but for your sake; because I knew that you were a very ignorant and misguided man and that you give trouble to the people without any cause. I felt pity on you and came here to pray for you and ask Allah to lead you onto the right path. No, I did not have any such intentions as you were afraid of.

(28)
The Stranger
Tired and exhausted with the water-skin on her back, she was gasping and going towards her house where innocent children, their eyes fixed at the door, were eagerly waiting for the arrival of their mother. On her way, an unknown man approached her. He took the water-skin from her and placed it on his back. The door opened and the children saw their mother entering the house with a stranger. He placed the water-skin on the ground and said:
"Well,it seems you don't have anyone to fetch water for you; how come you are so forlorn?"
"My husband was a soldier; Ali(A.S.) sent him to the frontier where he was killed. Now I am alone with these small children"
The stranger said no more. Bowing down his head he went away. But the thought of the helpless widow and orphans remained in his mind. He could hardly sleep in the night. Early in the morning he picked up a basket; put some meat, flour and dates in it; went straight to her house and knocked at the door.
"Who are you?"
"I am the man who brought your water yesterday. Now I have brought some food for the children"
"May God bless you and judge between us and Ali(A.S.)"
She opened the door. Entering the house she said:
"I wish to do some good acts. Either let me knead the flour and bake the bread or allow me to look after the children"
"Very well, but I can do the job of kneading and cooking better than you. You take care of the children till I finish cooking"
She went to knead the flour. Immediately he grilled some meat which he had brought and fed the children saying to each child while putting morsel in his mouth:
"My son, forgive Ali(A.S.) if he has failed in his duty towards you"
The flour got ready; she called: "Gentlemen! put fire in the oven" He went and put fire in the oven. When flames rose up, he brought his face near the fire and said,
"Taste the heat of fire. It is the punishment for those who fail in their duty towards orphans and widows."
By chance, a woman from the neighbouring house came in. Recognizing the stranger, she cried: "Woe, don't you recognize the man who is helping you? He is Amirul-Mumineen (Commander of the Faithful) Ali bin Abi-Talib(A.S.)"
The widow came forward and shame facedly cried:
"Curse and shame to me. I beg your pardon."
"No,I beg your pardon for I failed in my duty towards you."

(29)
A Traveller in the Desert
Kufa was now the seat of the Islamic rule. The entire Muslim world with the exception of Damascus looked towards Kufa for guidance. They travelled to Kufa often.
Two men were in each other's company on the road to Kufa. One was a Muslim and the other was a non-Muslim. As they progressed, the non-Muslim traveller asked his companion:
I am going further than Kufa, to a small village where I live. Where are You going ?
His Muslim companion said:
I live in Kufa.
They proclaimed happily, discussing various things, helping each other, all in a spirit of cordiality. When they drew near to Kufa, the non-Muslim took a side road towards his village. Just as he was about to bid farewell, he observed that his Muslim companion was coming with him.
Didn't you tell me that you are going to Kufa where you lived?
The Muslim replied:
Yes, of course.
On this the non-Muslim inquired:
Then why were you coming this way? That is the only road leading to Kufa?
I know, said the Muslim, but we have long been companions. Our Prophet (S.A.W) said that when two are companions to each other on a journey they have obligations and duties towards each other. You gave me company and now it is my duty to follow you a few steps and then make a gentle departure.
No wonder that your Prophet (S.A.W.) managed to spread his faith so quickly. His teachings were indeed great.
And then it so happened that once the same non-Muslim entered Kufa. There he found that his Muslim companion had been none other but the Khalifa of his time, Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.). He soon became a Muslim and remained the most faithful of companion of the Imam.

(30)
Tying the Camel
The caravan had been traveling for few hours now. Signs of fatigue were obvious on their faces. They arrived at a point and stopped. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) who was also in the caravan, stopped and camel, and landed. Prior to anything, they were in search of water to prepare for prayer.
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), also started searching for water. But soon, returned to his camel, without saying anything to anyone. The campanions were surprised that the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) had ordered stopping here, and now perhaps he would like to move again? Eyes and ears were awaiting his order. But the surprise of the group increased as they saw him approach his camel, and tied its knees, and returned back in search of water.
Noises were raised from every corner: " O Prophet of Allah! Why didn't you order us to do this for you, and instead you put yourself in discomfort? We would have proudly done that service for you."
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) responded: "Never seek others' help in your affairs, don't lean on others, even if it is a small peice of Miswak (the wood used for brushing teeth)."

(31)
On Qur'anic Conversation
The Muslims in the life time of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) were brought up to learn the Qur'an as Ibadat (Devotion), to recite it as Devotion, to write it down as Devotion, to teach their children and other people and make them learn it by heart and understand it as Devotion. They became so familiar with it that they used the verses of the Holy Quran in their daily conversation.
History records that Janab Fizzah, the noble Abysinian housemaid of Hazrat Fatima Az-Zahra, the Lady of Paradise, the daughter of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was in the habit of using the verses and words of the Holy Quran in her conversation.
Abul Qasim Qashiri relates the dialogue between Fizzah and Abdullah bin Mubarak; I saw a woman passing through the desert who had fallen behind the caravan, and asked her "Who are you and where are you from ?"
She said : " Say Salaam!
.... Soon shall ye know it ." ( Chapter 6 Verse 67 )
I learned that she expected me to greet her and say Assalamu Alaikum first, before any question. I did as she reminded, and inquired why she was in this desert.
She answered :
" Whomesoever God guideth, then none shall beguile . " ( Chapter 39 Verse 37 )
I gathered that she was left behind and thus restless, so I asked again are you a human being or a jinn?
She returned :
" O children of Adam ! Be Ye adorned at every time of prostration .... " ( Chapter 7 Verse 31 )
I discovered that she was a human being, so I continued my enquiry, Where are you coming from?
She said : ".... Who are called to from a place far off. " ( Chapter 41 Verse 44 )
I found out that she was coming from a place far off and inquired her destination.
She immediately responded :
" ........ And for God is incumbent upon mankind the Pilgrimage of the House..... " ( Chapter 3 Verse 97 )
I realized that she was going for Hajj ( Pilgrimage of the Kaaba ), and asked her how many days she had been travelling?
She told me:
" Indeed created We ( God ) the heavens and the earth and what is between them to in Six days . " ( Chapter 7 Verse 54 ) and ( Chapter 50 Verse 38 )
I concluded it was six days. I requested her to have food and water if she was so inclined.
She politely indicated :
" We ( God ) made them not such bodies that do not eat food, and they will not abide ( in this world ) for ever. " ( Chapter 21 Verse 8 )
She accepted my refreshment. Then to catch the caravan, I suggested her to make haste.
She reminded me again :
" God tasks not any soul beyond ( individual ) ability...... " ( Chapter 2 Verse 286 )
I told her that if she could'nt do so, let her ride on the back of my camel behind me.
She recited another Quranic Verse :
" If there were therein gods besides Allah, then verily both ( the heavens and the earth ) would have been disordered ...." ( Chapter 21 Verse 22 )
It was a reminder of piety that when a man was not a husband of a woman, it was un-lawful to ride together on the same animal. [ It is an Islamic Law concerning the relatives of persons of prohibited degree - Namahiram ].
Qashiri says that he got down and requested her to ride the camel.
She occupied the seat and recited :
" Hallowed is He who subjected this ( animal ) unto us ."( Chapter 43 Verse 13 ).
She thanked Allah who brought the animal under her control. When we reached the caravan, I asked her do you know any one among them?
She recounted :
" O Dawud ( David ), We have appointed thee a vicegerent in the earth .........." ( Chapter 38 Verse 26 );
" And Muhammad is not but an Apostle ...... " ( Chapter 3 Verse 144 );
" O Yahya ( John the Baptist ) ! Hold thou the Book fast !......... . " ( Chapter 19 Verse 12 );
" O Musa ( Moses ) ! Verily it is, I am God the All-Mighty ." ( Chapter 27 Verse 9 )
I understood that Dawud, Muhammad, Yahya and Musa were the names of her sons. When the boys appeared, I asked her who they were?
She said in her habitual manner :
" Wealth and Children are the adornment of this World ............... " ( Chapter 18 Verse 46 )
I recognized them as her sons. The woman looked at her sons with the feeling of contentment and uttered,
" ... O my father ! Employ him verily the best of those who canst employ is the strongman and trusted ones. " ( Chapter 28 Verse 26 )
In these words of the Holy Quran, she informed the sons indicating towards me that
" ..... This man offered me a gift ( i.e help ), so verliy God giveth manifold increase to whomsoever He willeth . " ( Chapter 2 Verse 261 )
The sons grasped their mother's indications, and so they paid me twice as much as I ought to have been paid. To satisfy my curiosity I asked the sons, who is this honorable Lady that speaks nothing but the Qur'an? They responded that she was their mother, the housemaid of Hazrat Fatima Al Zahra (peace be upon her and her progeny), the daughter of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and the Wife of Amir Al Momineen (A.S.). She was raised under the shade of supreme knowledge and piety of the daughter of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). Since 20 years she spoke nothing but the Holy Quran in her daily conversations.

(32)
Wealth and Poverty
It was a usual meeting. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was in his place and his companions gathered around him to hear the words of wisdom and guidance. Suddenly a poor man in rags appeared, saluted the assembly :
"Salamun Alaikum" (Peace be on you)
and finding a vacant place, comfortably sat down.
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) had taught them that all Muslims were brothers and in an assembly one should sit wherever one finds a place, regardless of any status. Now, it so happened that this poor man was seated next to a very rich man. The rich man felt very disturbed and tried to collect the edges of his dress around himself, so that the poor man didn't touch them. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) observed this and addressing the rich man he said:
" Perhaps you are afraid that his poverty would affect you?"
" No, O Messenger of Allah," he said.
"Then perhaps you were apprehensive about some of your wealth flying away to him?"
" No, O Messenger of Allah."
"Or you feared that your clothes would become dirty if he touched them?"
" No, O Messenger of Allah."
" Then why did you draw yourself and your clothes away from him?"
The rich man said:
"I admit that was the most undesirable thing to do. It was an error and I confess my guilt. Now to make amends for it I will give away half of my wealth to this Muslim brother so that I may be forgiven."
Just as he said this, the poor man rose and said,
" O Prophet of Allah, I do not accept this offer."
People present were taken by surprise, they thought that the poor man was a fool, but then he explained:
" O Prophet of Allah, I refuse to accept this offer because I fear that I might then become arrogant and illtreat my Muslim brothers the way he did to me."

(33)
Junaid and Behlool
Behlool simulated madness, though he was not mad. Junaid a scholar and Sufi of repute, knew him very well. One day as they met, Junaid requested him to give him some counsel and admonition. "You do not need any advice. You are a well known scholar," Behlool said. But Junaid insisted. Behlool gave in and said: "Well, I shall ask you three questions. If you answer them correctly, you will be advised." And then he proceeded to ask: "Do you know how to talk?" "Do you know how to eat?" "Do you know how to sleep?" Junaid found these simple. He said: "I know how to talk. I talk with a low voice, politely and to the point, so that the listeners are not at all offended. I eat after having washed my hands, say Bismillah before I commence, and chew the food properly. When I finish, I thank Allah. Before I go to sleep, I do my wudhu and retire to a clean bed. Then I bear witness to my faith and sleep." Behlool stood up and started walking away. He said: "I thought you were quite learned. You do not know the most elementary things of Islam." But Junaid would not let him go. "Please guide me," he said. "Well," Behlool said, "It is no use talking softly if it is a lie, remembering Allah before eating has no meaning if the food you eat is forbidden or usurped or that the food has been bought from the money of an orphan, a widow or a fellowman. And what is the use of sleeping with wudhu and all the recitations if your heart is full of malice, jealousy and enmity towards your brother in faith."

(34)
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 (A.S.) gave them a place of distinction, they would in turn pledge their full support.Imam Ali (A.S.) knew of this. Just as they sat down,Imam Ali (A.S.) put 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 (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.

(35)
Belief In Allah
One day Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and a group of his followers were passing by a place. They saw an old woman working with her spinning wheel. Prophet Muhammad went up to her. After saying 'Salam Alaikum,' (Islamic greeting which means Peace be with you) and asking her how she was feeling, he asked her, 'How did you come to believe in Allah?' The old woman let her spinning wheel stop. She thought for a while, then replied, 'Do you see this small wheel? It does not spin unless I move it. How could it be possible for a universe this big to spin by itself? Who changes the night into day? Who changes the four seasons? There must be someone doing all these things. The One who preserves and controls the whole universe is Allah who is All-Knowing and Almighty.' Prophet Muhammad turned to his followers and said, 'Consider how this old woman has come to know of the existence of Allah. You, also, should have as strong a belief in Allah as this old lady.'