Imam Sajjad

REACTION TO MISTREATMENT


One day Imam Ali Ibn al-Hussain as-Sajjad (A.S.) was sitting in the company of his followers when a man, who was related to him, approached and began insulting the Imam (A.S.). This man's name was al-Hassan Ibn al-Muthanna. Imam Ali (A.S.) ignored the man and when he had left said to his companions:

"You heard what that man said to me, I would like you to come with me to hear my reply to him."

The companions of Imam Ali (A.S.) then said:

"We will come with you, although we wanted you or us to say something (an equal response) to him."

The Imam (A.S.) proceeded to the man's home reciting:

"And those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their faults; and who forgives the faults but Allah, and (who) do not knowingly persist in what they have done." (3:135)

His companions hearing this concluded that the Imam (A.S.) would say only kind words to the man. The Imam (A.S.) reached al-Hassan Ibn al-Muthanna's house and said:

"Tell him this is Ali Ibn al-Hussain." The man heard this and came out prepared for an encounter. He was sure that Imam Sajjad (A.S.) came only to revenge his actions. When al-Hassan al-Muthanna appeared. Imam Sajjad (A.S.) said:

"My Brother! You have come to me and have said something's. If you have said that which truly lies in me, I seek forgiveness from Allah; and if you have accused me of that which I am innocent, I ask Allah to forgive you!!"

When the man heard the words of the Imam (A.S.) he kissed his forehead and said:

"Indeed I accused you of that which you are innocent of. These words describe me."


GHEEBAT / BACKBITE


Do not talk about other people when they are not there even if what you say is true.

Once a man who claimed to be a friend of our 4th Imam, Imam Ali Zainul Abideen (AS) came to him and told him that so and so had been saying horrible things about him.

Imam (AS) replied that he had not heard anything and would not have if the man had not told him. Imam (AS) then continued that the person who had said the horrible things was as if he had shot an arrow and missed the target but the man who had told him was as if he had picked up the fallen arrow and hit the target with it.

Allah does not like the habit of spreading scandal and gossip even if it be true.

In the time of Prophet Musa (AS), once there was a severe drought. For months there had been no rain.

The people prayed and prayed but no rain came. When Prophet Musa (AS) went to mount Sinai to pray, Allah revealed to him that amongst his people there was someone who spreading scandal and because of this person Allah had not let it rain. Prophet Musa (AS) asked Allah who this person was so that he could tell him off for what he had done.

Allah replied that did Prophet Musa (AS) want Him to do what He had forbidden for others. (i.e. talk about others).