Ain Al-Hayat, The Essence of Life.pdf - Higher Intellect | Content ...

Hearing these words the guest was obliged to get his hands washed by Hazrat Ali (a.s.).
After helping the guest wash his hands, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) addressed his son, Mohammed
bin Hanafiah, to help the guest’s son wash his hands that the status of the father and the
son was not equated. He also added that if the father was not with the son, he would
himself have helped him wash his hands..
Hazrat Ali (a.s.) once went to a shop and asked the vendor to show some cloaks. The
man asked, “ O Ameer al Momineen (a.s.)! What quality of cloaks you desire to buy?”
Hearing this, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) moved away from the shop. The reason was that the man
addressed him as Ameer al Momineen (a.s.) and that he was aware of the status of the
visitor. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) now went to another shop. At that moment the owner of the
shop was away and his young son was attending to the customers. Hazrat Ali (a.s.)
asked the young man to give two cloaks. He bought one for two and the other for three
Dirhams. Now Hazrat Ali (a.s.) asked Qanbar to take the cloak worth three Dirhams
and kept the inferior garment for himself. Qanbar said, “ O Master! Please take the
better garment for your own use!” Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said, “ It is always the youth who
deserve to use better things. You must therefore use the better cloak of the two! The
Prophet of Allah (a.s.) has verily said,’ Provide to the slave the type of garments you
yourselves wear and give them the food that you eat!,”
The sleeves of Hazrat Ali (a.s.)’s cloak were slightly longer than his arms. He got them
cut to size and said that the cloth would be useful for making caps for some needy
persons.
After a while the owner returned to his shop and learned that Ameer al Momineen (a.s.)
had purchased the cloaks from there. He went to the presence of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and
said, “ O Ameer al Momineen (a.s.)! My son didn’t recognize you and has derived a
profit of two Dirhams from you in the bargain! I therefore request you to kindly take
back these two Dirhams.” Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said,” We agreed to the price he quoted! The
deal was struck! Also, bear it in mind that we are the Ahl e Bayt ( people of the Prophet
(a.s.)’s Household)! Whatever we give, we never take back!”
THE HUMILITY OF THE PROPHET OF ISLAM
It is narrated from an authentic source that Mohammed bin Muslim went one day to the
presence of Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.). He was partaking of his meal at the time.
The Imam (a.s.) asked the visitor to join him over the fare. After finishing the lunch the
Imam (a.s.) said, “ O Mohammed! My Grand Father, the Prophet of Islam (a.s.), from