Sunday 2 April 2017

Imam Ali Naqi and His Characteristics



Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
Imam Ali Naqi whose martyrdom anniversary was observed on Rajab 3rd across the globe had unique and divine characteristics. He was not only exemplary in his prayers but also blessed with qualities befitting his exalted status. His personality and character can be gauged from the following examples:  
Bravery
Abbasid caliph, Mutawakkil had kept in captivity many man-eating wild animals like lions, tigers, leopards and bears etc in a field surrounded by a very high wall and known as Barkatul Saba. One day Mutawakkil summoned Imam and told him that he had come to know that Imam was instigating people to revolt against the regime. Imam described the information conveyed to caliph as false and baseless. Mutawakkil refused accept his reply. His refusal enraged Imam and he asked “Do you consider me like yourself? We are Ahle-Bait of the Messenger. We never resort to intrigue." Imam’s question infuriated Mutawakkil and he ordered him to be thrown to the beasts of Barkatul Saba. The caliph went to the terrace of his palace to watch what happens to Imam as the field was opposite his palace. The slaves tried to forcibly take Imam to the enclosure but he asked them to be away and said, " I will go there myself." Imam walked into the enclosure with absolute tranquillity. Upon his arrival inside the enclosure,   all the beasts gathered around him, wagged their tails and  fell down at his feet. Imam caressed their heads and backs in affection. Then, he spread his prayer mat and offered namaz. The entire incident left the onlookers shocked and caliph himself regretted his decision.
Piety
Like his predecessors, Imam Naqi was also full of piety. Once someone informed Mutawakkil that Imam was passing a luxurious life, collected a lot of wealth and weapons in his house and trying to raise an army against caliph. Mutawakkil sent a battalion to raid the house of Imam with the instruction to take out all what was inside. When the soldiers entered the house they found a sack, a shirt of coarse wool and some clay utensils. Upon receiving report about the simple life of Imam, Mutawakkil punished the informer.
Generosity
Imam who is also known as Al Hadi  was exemplary in his generosity even though he was passing his life with scarce resources in Samra. People used to sit on the way Imam was about to pass by. He never rejected a petitioner who pleaded to him for assistance. He used to treat young orphans tenderly and fulfilled all their wishes. In the dead of the night, he used to carry food the houses of needy.
Patience
Imam Naqi spent nearly 30 years in Samra with every kind of hardship and difficulty. Mutawakkil, the most oppressive among Abbasid caliphs, persecuted him much. However,  Imam remained patient and thankful. He never mentioned his woes to people visiting him.
Humility
Imam was very humble. He always considered himself to be a servant of Allah and being progeny of the Holy Prophet, never allowed arrogance and pride in his behavior.Saeed Ibne Salih in Rawzatus Safa has narrated his humbleness after meeting him Samra in a small house that had been given to him by the caliph. He was highly edified by this humility-liking nature of the Imam, because there was a feeling of superiority in him due to his wealth.
Forbearance
Like his father, Imam Naqi  was also bestowed with the excellent quality of forbearance. One day the caliph Muntasir asked Imam to explain as to why he considers himself the most proximate creature of Allah and do not consider anyone as his equal in superiority and honor although caliph was much better and superior to Imam. Caliph said ” If Allah had been pleased with you, you would have been the ruler and we, your subjects." Imam did not say anything. Again caliph  repeated his question but Imam preferred forbearance. When Muntasir repeated the words for third time, Imam said, "If temporal kingdom is the proof of rightfulness, every prophet must have been a king. Our superiority is due to our own merits, while your greatness is due to a rule of limited duration. You rule over physical bodies while we reign over the hearts."
Forgiveness
Mutawakkil always tried to harass and discredit Imam Naqi. One day he told Ibne Sikkit to ask such questions in the presence of all people that Imam he cannot reply. Ibne Sikkit posed many questions to the Imam one after another. The Imam replied to all the questions, but  Ibne Sikkit  he remained unrelenting and continued to say that the Imam has not replied satisfactorily. He passed some unbecoming remarks about Imam. The Imam observed forbearance. One day Mutawakkil asked Ibne Sikkit a question that he could not answer. Mutawakkil was greatly displeased with him and he said, "I used to consider you a great scholar but it seems you are an ignorant fellow. If you cannot furnish a satisfactory reply within three days I would stop your stipend. Ibne Sikkit was much troubled. He came to the Imam and said, "O son of Allah's Messenger! For the sake of Allah, forgive me the nasty way I behaved with you that day. And tell me the solution to this problem." The Imam forgave him and also told him the correct solution.
Affection
Imam was not neglectful of the poor creatures of God. He himself visited the widows and orphans and carried food for them while remaining hungry himself mostly. When an orphan came before him, he used to caress his head affectionately and if he desired something it was provided to him.
Hospitality
Mutawakkil made life difficult for Imam Ali during his regime. Imam had to go without food. One day, he managed to get some food after being hungry for two mealtimes. The moment he commenced eating, a guest arrived. He placed the food before his guest in a cheerful manner and did not at all let him realize that he had already missed two meals. After finishing the meals, the guest gave Khums money to Imam who immediately spent the amount on the poor and destitute, and slept hungry.
Kindness To Relatives
During his stay at Samra, he used to regularly inquire about the conditions of his kinsmen from people coming from Medina and also sent to them the Khums money he received to solve their economic problems . Once some people from Hasani Sadat visited him in Samra and he sent  some gifts to his relatives through them.
Kind Behavior to Slaves
Like his forefathers, Imam Naqi behaved kindly with his slaves. Once he saw a man beating his slave a lot. Imam refrained him from beating his slave by convincing him that how creature of Allah should be treated?.
Contentment
One day in the presence of the ruler, people  discussed about the piety, austerity and reliance on God and contentment of Imam Naqi. The ruler disagreed with them and said “ When he does not have anything, what else can he do but be content with his condition? People now disagreed with the ruler. He then said to test Imam . The ruler sent expensive clothes, a tray full of gold coins and other luxurious items to Imam with special instructions that Imam should use them. When the  slave who brought the gifts and delivered the message , Imam said "All these things are higher than me needs and what can I do with them?" When the slave insisted much Imam asked him to keep the things in a corner. The ruler sent spies to find out whether the Imam was using those things or not but every time he was informed by his men that they lay unused. Finally the ruler ordered his slave to take back all the things.

The characteristics of Imam Naqi give message to the people of all generations that we should never allow circumstances to control our behaviour. Rather, we should always strive to control circumstances as God wants people to remain on the right path even in the most trying conditions.(This article is being posted as a tribute to the sacred memory of Imam Naqi a day after the anniversary of his martyrdom.References available on request.Photo Courtesy Google Images )       

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