Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tcilib 149
5.3.5. Asceticism and patience of
asSayyidah Fstimah ($,)
Her life was very simple and uncomplicated; it was closer to a
life of hardship than alife of The following story shows us
F2cimah's situation of hardship and exhaustion, and the attitude of
the Messenger of Allah (g) when she asked him to give her a servant
from among the prisoners of war. 'Ali said to Fi(imah one day: "By
Allah, I have brought water until I felt a pain in my chest." He said:
"Some captives have been brought to your father; go and ask him for
a servant." She said: "And I, by Allah, have ground flour until my
hands became sore." So she went to the Prophet (g), and he said:
"What brings you here, 0 my daughter?" She said: "I have come to
greet you"; she felt too shy to ask him, so she went hack. 'Ali said:
"What happened?" She said: "I felt too shy to ask him." So they
went together, and 'Ali said: "0 Messenger of Allah (g), by Allah
(%) I have brought water until I started to feel pain in my chest."
And F2cimah said: "I have ground flour until my hands h ~rt.~~~~lla
has brought you plenty of captives, so give us a servant." The
Messenger of Allah (g) said: "By Allah, I will not give it to you and
leave ah1 as-s~ffah~~' starving when I have nothing to spend on
them. Rather I will sell them (the captives) and spend the price on ah1
as-suffah." So they went hack. Then the Prophet (g) came, when
they were under the cover which, if it covered their heads, it left their
feet hare, and if it covered their feet, it left their heads hare. They
wanted to get up, hut he said: "Stay where you are." He said: "Shall I
not tell you of something that is better than what you asked for?"
They said: "Yes." He said: "(It is) words that Jibreel (peace be upon
him) taught me." He said: "Following every prayer, glorify Allah ten
times, praise Him ten times and magnify Him ten times. When you
go to your bed, glorify Allah thirty-three times, praise Him thirtythree
times and magnify Him thirty-four times."33z